Interim Assistant Director of Finance (Deputy S151)

I am working with a Local Authority in Essex who are looking for an Interim Assistant Director of Finance & Governance (Deputy S151 Officer) for 6 months initially. The role is full time and paying £850 umbrella per day (inside IR35) - this can be negotiated for the right candidate. The role is hybrid, 3 days a week on site, 2 days from home.

Job Purpose:

The postholder will provide strategic leadership across the Council's Finance and Governance Services, including Revenues and Benefits, Commercial and Procurement, and Audit and Risk, while acting as Deputy Section 151 Officer. They will provide expert financial and governance advice to senior leaders and elected members, lead the delivery of key priorities, policies and strategies, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements. The role will support income generation and service improvement, promote collaboration and best practice across the organisation, and champion the Council's equality and diversity objectives. The successful candidate will provide visible leadership through clear communication, maintain an office presence of at least three days per week, and lead service committees while supporting Scrutiny Committees.

Accountabilities:

• To support the Executive Director of Resources & Governance, in developing and delivering the corporate vision, value and priorities of the Council and the projects for which the post holder is responsible.
• To ensure the delivery of the council's finance, commercial procurement, insurance, audit, risk and revenues and benefits services.
• To lead, direct and effectively manage high performing, customer focused services, ensuring that the Council performs its duties in accordance with relevant statutory obligations and the principles of good governance.
• Build strong corporate partnering and commissioning relationships with partners, governmental bodies and stakeholders ensuring that influence and evidence is used to promote better outcomes for the Council's community.
• To focus on service improvement issues working under the direction of the Executive Director of Resources & Governance, and in partnership with the Council's chosen support partners on the service improvement journey and to lead on special projects to deliver service improvements and redesign, both on their own and within a team to enhance efficiency and to meet key performance indicators.

The Experience You Will Bring:

• CCAB qualified or equivalent i.e. CIMA re S151 regs.
• Demonstrable experience of providing effective and expert financial and governance assurance advice and guidance in a complex political environment.
• Significant experience of successfully leading, managing, motivating, developing and inspiring teams through significant periods of change.
• Proven experience of dealing with Chief Executive, key stakeholders and elected Councillors at all levels within a local government context.
• Significant experience in Local Government constitution, financial regulations and Local Code of Governance.
• Demonstrable experience of negotiating at a high level with a range of stakeholders including within complex political environments.
• Experience of delivering complex services and making successful improvements to processes and the services.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure including meeting deadlines and managing a complex workload simultaneously.
• Experience and expert knowledge of the statutory requirement and operational delivery of an internal audit service to a major public body.
• Experience and knowledge of the operational delivery of an insurance service to a major public body.
• Experience of working in pursuit of collaborative/organisational goals.
• Takes control and exercises leadership. Initiates action, gives direction and takes responsibility.

Please only apply for this post if you have the essential skills and experience as mentioned above and are happy to work in Essex as and when needed.