Head of Finance - Transactional Services and Systems in Chelmsford

This critical role leads the Payments, Income, Banking, Reporting & Compliance and Adult Social Care financial assessment strategy ensuring exemplary financial processes, compliance with all corporate requirements, statutory reporting, and fiduciary duties. The Head must ensure front to end processes are digitally optimised, benchmark with best in class and provide the optimal customer experience.

This strategic leader will be an influencer, work with other senior leaders and accountable for the relationship with key Cabinet Members to provide assurance and drive value for Essex. You will be well networked, providing insight and innovative service solutions, work with strategic and market suppliers to optimise systems and processes that traverse front to end and across ECC (notably Social Care, Finance & Procurement). The Social Care Platform Programme (SCPP) is modernising the Council’s Social Care systems, migrating data to new servers, improving workflow design, and delivering an integrated finance solution. The leadership of the oversight of the finance technology solution and planning and implementation for a new system is a significant strategic responsibility and will require strong partnership working within and outside of Essex.

Accountabilities

• The translation of system leadership thinking (typically annual plans) to their area of work to deliver the political objectives and priorities of the council and which will ensure that all risks are actively managed.
• Working collaboratively across the Council and thinking technically and operationally to support the delivery of best possible outcomes for our customers on a financially sustainable basis.
• Accountable for the development/delivery of the 'front to end' financial strategy and business plan for Payments, Income and Financial Assessments, including systems, processes, financial compliance, reporting and performance data.
• Accountable for leading and motivating a large team to ensure exemplary standards in the continuous improvement in financial transactions, systems, processes and reduction of debt.
• Accountable for ensuring systems and processes maximise the collection of all income and debt due to the Council, the cost-effective payment to all providers/suppliers in accordance with organisational expectations and financial regulations.
• Accountable for providing management information, data and insight which ensures efficient payment of suppliers, maximises the collection of all income, and empowers budget holders by improving awareness and capability for financial systems and processes.
• Maintaining and nurturing collaborative relationships for the Function with external organisations that support the delivery of annual plans and develop a joint understanding of likely longer-term developments.
• Identifying opportunities using evidence-based insight for the improvement within their area of work, managing the changes so the highest possible levels of service quality are continually delivered.
• Implementing technical innovative solutions to emerging and complex issues that meet the needs of customers and deliver the best possible outcomes within agreed resources.
• Effective identification, use, and management of technologies and innovation across the council and with stakeholders and partners.
• Ensuring that equality and diversity are celebrated and considered as part of all decisions taken.
• Using professional expertise to develop and translate functional strategies, goals and plans into prioritised and resourced work plans that comply with relevant legislation and statutory requirements (at an appropriate level of risk).
• Managing the delivery of exemplar customer interactions to individuals and communities which support the management of strong relationships and a reputation for achieving outcomes and resolving issues.
• Being both outwards and inwards facing to ensure ECC is always making the most relevant and modern technical decisions.
• Maximising digital technologies and innovation across the council and with stakeholders and partners.
• Using professional expertise to translate the vision and strategy into strategies, goals and plans for the functional area.
• Being widely externally networked with fellow professionals, partners, stakeholders, and communities outside the council to evaluate and bring in and apply new practices.
• Overseeing service design recruitment, management, and development of a strong community of practice.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF level 6 or possess equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional areas, with chartered membership of a relevant professional body.
• Comprehensive experience of complex financial systems development, sourcing, implementation, and management.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Adult Social Care Act 2014 particularly in relation to Charging and Financial Assessments.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of strategic financial management systems, processes, and frameworks in a public-sector setting.
• Proven track record of strong delivery and performance focus in a high-volume environment.
• Comprehensive experience of developing and managing financial management systems, processes, and delivering improvements.
• Excellent leadership skills and behaviours with a proven track record of forging a highly performing and motivated finance team from diverse backgrounds.
• Engaging and working with senior leadership teams, providing strategic financial systems and processes advice and critical decision-making.
• Comprehensive experience of successfully leading and delivering major cultural and organisational (transformational) change in a large complex organisation which is rapidly progressing.

Assessment Process

An indicative timeline of the assessment process is:

• First stage online interview - 15 October 2026.

• Final in person interview at County Hall, Chelmsford - 26 October 2026. Candidates will be required to complete a presentation exercise, with the topic provided upon arrival, before presenting to the interview panel.

In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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If you have queries or require anything further, please email Strategic.Resourcing@essex.gov.uk

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