At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Birmingham City Council’s financial planning and oversee budget setting.
- Company: Join Birmingham City Council, a key player in local government finance.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous pension scheme, and commitment to your professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving significant financial recovery programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the city's future and its communities.
- Qualifications: CCAB qualification and experience in strategic financial planning required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Working 36.5 hours per week, this pivotal role leads Birmingham City Council’s financial planning function, shaping the Medium‑Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), overseeing budget setting and monitoring, and supporting the delivery of improvement and transformation priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of Birmingham City Council’s Medium‑Term Financial Strategy, aligning resources to corporate priorities and statutory responsibilities.
- Oversee the annual budget setting process and multi‑year financial planning within a complex, high‑profile environment.
- Produce and interpret robust and dynamic financial planning and settlement funding models, understanding the key inputs and drivers.
- Provide strategic financial advice to Directors, Cabinet Members and senior stakeholders, including Commissioners.
- Drive the Council’s financial recovery programme, identifying sustainable savings, efficiencies and income‑generation opportunities.
- Ensure robust financial governance, compliance with CIPFA standards and transparency in financial decision‑making.
- Strengthen financial planning processes, modelling and scenario analysis to support informed decision‑making.
- Lead and develop a high‑performing financial planning team, building capability and resilience.
- Support major transformation programmes and service redesign with expert financial insight.
- Maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, central government and regional partners.
Qualifications
- A CCAB qualification (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA) or equivalent.
- Experience in strategic financial planning, ideally within local government or the wider public sector.
- Strong understanding of local government finance, including finance settlements, funding pressures, statutory requirements and regulatory frameworks.
- Demonstrable experience of leading financial recovery, transformation or large‑scale savings programmes.
- Proven ability to influence and challenge at senior officer and political levels.
- Strong leadership skills with experience building and developing high‑performing teams.
- Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Benefits
- A unique opportunity to play a leadership role in one of the most significant financial recovery programmes in UK local government.
- The chance to make a lasting impact on the future of the city and its communities.
- Work at scale in a complex, fast‑paced, and high‑profile organisation.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Generous Local Government Pension Scheme and employee benefits.
- Commitment to professional development and continuous improvement.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. Birmingham City Council is an Accredited Disability Confident Leader employer and is committed to employing, retaining and developing all of its people.
Head of Financial Planning employer: Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead financial planning in a high-profile environment that directly impacts the city's future. With a commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, employees can thrive in a supportive culture while contributing to meaningful community outcomes. Join us to be part of a transformative journey in local government finance, where your expertise will help shape sustainable solutions for Birmingham's residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Planning
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the council’s financial strategies and recent initiatives. We recommend practising common interview questions and having a few of your own ready to show your interest. Remember, confidence is key, so walk in knowing you’ve got what it takes!
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance, highlight your experience in strategic financial planning and any successful projects you've led. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you can contribute to Birmingham City Council’s goals. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Planning
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in strategic financial planning, especially within local government. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a high-performing team, don’t forget to include examples of your leadership experience. We love to see how you've built and developed teams in the past, so share those success stories!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your achievements and how they relate to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Council
✨Know Your Financial Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of local government finance, especially around funding pressures and statutory requirements. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you understand the complexities of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led high-performing teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you built capability and resilience within your team, as this is crucial for the Head of Financial Planning position.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategic Advice
Expect questions about how you would provide strategic financial advice to senior stakeholders. Have a few scenarios in mind where your insights made a significant impact, particularly in financial recovery or transformation programmes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships with external stakeholders. Prepare to talk about your experience working with auditors, central government, and regional partners, and how you’ve navigated those relationships effectively.
