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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy for Children's Services, focusing on safeguarding and education.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive pay, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public service while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in local government finance and a relevant finance degree are essential.
- Other info: This is a 4-month contract with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 168000 £ per year.
Head of Finance
4 month initial contract
Greater London
£750 per day
Inside IR35 (via umbrella)
Hybrid working (2 days per week onsite)
Reporting into the Finance Manager for Corporate Finance, you will play a key strategic role in leading financial planning and stewardship for Children’s Services, ensuring alignment with statutory responsibilities and driving transformation across safeguarding, education, and early help. You will work closely with senior stakeholders to develop a robust financial framework that supports sustainable service delivery and improved outcomes for children and young people.
Your Role as Head of Finance – Children’s Services:
- Lead financial strategy and oversight for Children’s Services, including safeguarding, education, and early help.
- Partner with the Children’s Services Leadership Team, elected Members, Senior Finance Officers, and Schools Forum.
- Provide expert financial insight to support key change programmes, including:
- Finance Improvement Programme
- Children’s Transformation Programme
- SEND Delivering Better Value Programme
- Lead and develop a resilient, collaborative finance team that thrives on challenge and innovation.
Your Previous Experience as Head of Finance – Children’s Services:
- Extensive experience in local government finance, ideally within Children’s Services or similarly complex service areas.
- Proven track record of leading financial strategy and transformation in a public sector setting.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and leadership skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
Qualifications:
- Relevant finance degree or equivalent qualification/experience.
- Membership of a professional accounting body (e.g. CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA) – desirable.
- Demonstrable experience in leading financial planning and delivery in a local authority context.
If you’re interested in this opportunity or know someone who may be, please contact Sarah Williams or Nikki Smith on 0117 313 7110 or apply today!
(We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation so please do get in contact).
Our clients are passionate about creating and evolving a diverse workforce and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant. Recruiting decisions are based on your experience and skills. Any reasonable adjustments in the workplace will be fully supported during the application and hiring process. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Finance employer: Baltimore Consulting
Contact Detail:
Baltimore Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in local government finance, especially those who have experience in Children's Services. Attend relevant industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and stakeholders who can provide insights into the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with current trends and challenges in local government finance, particularly in relation to safeguarding and education. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations with senior stakeholders during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in leading financial strategy and transformation. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex service areas and influenced change within a public sector context.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your leadership skills by showcasing how you've developed and supported finance teams in the past. Highlight any innovative approaches you've taken to foster collaboration and resilience within your team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in local government finance, particularly within Children’s Services. Emphasise your proven track record in leading financial strategy and transformation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your leadership skills and ability to engage with stakeholders. Mention specific examples of how you've influenced financial strategies in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your relevant finance degree and any professional accounting memberships, such as CIPFA, ACCA, or CIMA. This will demonstrate your qualifications for the role.
Showcase Analytical Skills: In your application, provide examples of your analytical and strategic thinking capabilities. Discuss how these skills have helped you solve complex problems in a public sector context.
How to prepare for a job interview at Baltimore Consulting
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the Head of Finance role, especially in the context of Children's Services. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and challenges mentioned in the job description, such as financial strategy and stakeholder engagement.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Given the importance of collaboration with senior stakeholders, be ready to discuss your previous experiences in engaging with various levels of leadership. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your ability to influence and lead discussions effectively.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As the role requires strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, be prepared to discuss how you've used these skills in past positions. Bring examples of how your analytical insights have led to successful financial strategies or transformations.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Style
The position involves leading a finance team, so be ready to articulate your leadership style. Discuss how you foster collaboration and innovation within your team, and provide examples of how you've successfully managed challenges in a public sector setting.
