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 in West Bromwich employer: Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the financial planning function within a high-profile local government setting. With a commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on making a lasting impact on the community, employees are empowered to grow and thrive in their careers while contributing to significant financial recovery programmes. The inclusive work culture and strong emphasis on employee well-being make it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Planning in West Bromwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the local government or finance sectors. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups to chat about opportunities and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Birmingham City Council's recent financial strategies and challenges. Show us you know your stuff and can bring valuable insights to the table!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Financial Planning. We want to hear how you can lead financial recovery and drive transformation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Planning in West Bromwich
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 mention your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've built and developed teams in the past, as this will resonate with us.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets right to the heart of your qualifications.
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. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled financial recovery or transformation in the past, as this will show your understanding of the role's complexities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams. Think about times when you've built capability and resilience within a team, and be ready to share how you’ve influenced senior stakeholders and navigated political landscapes.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Analysis
Since the role involves financial modelling and scenario analysis, practice explaining your approach to these tasks. Bring along examples of robust financial planning models you've developed and be prepared to discuss the key inputs and drivers behind them.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your excellent communication skills by preparing to discuss how you've maintained strong relationships with external stakeholders. Think about your experiences with auditors, central government, and regional partners, and how you’ve ensured transparency in financial decision-making.
