Chief Finance and Investment Officer (S73) - Greater Essex Combined County Authority in Colchester

Salary Information: Temporary up to £1,000 per day (Umbrella, Inside IR35) or FTC/Secondment £108,029 to £127,079 per annum, pro rata to 0.4FTE.

Greater Essex is entering a transformative period through devolution, aimed at simplifying governance, improving service delivery, and empowering communities.

Role Overview: As Chief Financial Officer you will provide whole-organisational financial leadership, working collaboratively with leaders from within the mayoral authority, with government, and across the Greater Essex system to ensure the organisation's strategic ambitions are underpinned by robust financial planning and sustainable resource management. You will play a key role in raising the profile of Greater Essex and the East region at national and international levels, working across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to drive inward investment, secure funding from government, and ensure value for money in all financial commitments. Operating in a dynamic environment, you will lead on financial policy development and oversee the financial dimensions of a diverse portfolio of services including Economic Growth, Employability and Skills, Transport, Housing, Climate, and Public Safety.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will enable the mayoral authority to develop the cultural behaviours for agility which drives the realisation of opportunities to scale at pace and help shape a dynamic, agile, and forward-thinking organisation that is responsive to local needs.

Role Accountabilities

• Develop the investment strategy and frameworks to ensure the most impactful application of available funds and resources.
• Lead work with senior leadership to generate income and investment to fund the Combined Authority's programmes.
• Drive decisions regarding investments and proposed spending within the various portfolios to align with strategy and plans.
• Develop and manage the commercial strategy, relationships and stakeholders across the region to deliver best value and achieve financial and investment generation aims.
• Provide commercial leadership, developing best practice procurement, commissioning and contract management standards and policies to maximise value for money.

Organisational Capabilities

• Lead the organisation and the region: Provide leadership at a regional, local and organisational level communicating with residents and businesses to ensure the local voice is reflected.
• Advocate: Influence national and local policy and role model the values and behaviours of the organisation.
• Convene and partner: Influence partners towards consensus and ensure momentum towards strategic outcomes.
• Strategise: Design, develop and deliver organisational policies and strategies that foster innovation and agility.
• Enable and Deliver: Manage resources within budgetary constraints, delivering quality outcomes and tracking progress.
• Govern: Assess, manage and mitigate risk, providing assurance.
• Invest: Provide investment advice and develop business cases to drive strategic investment.
• Lead on financial planning and budgeting, preparing budgets and the Medium‐Term Financial Plan.
• Provide expert financial advice to stakeholders to shape understanding of financial risks and impact.
• Lead delivery of good financial management, ensuring policies meet statutory requirements.

Relationship Management

• Develop constructive and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, especially funding and investment partners, to generate consensus and influence plans.

Financial Management and Governance

• Evaluate financial risks and opportunities, scanning external environment and adjusting plans accordingly.
• Manage the organisation's asset portfolio, directing commercial development to ensure value for money and ROI.

Statutory Duties

• Maintain sound financial systems, internal controls and compliance with accounting standards and regulations.
• Report unlawful financial activity or risk of overspending under Section 114 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
• Advise on financial implications of decisions, ensuring viability and supporting strategic planning.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Master's degree level or equivalent by experience, with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Comprehensive knowledge of legislative frameworks, local government finance rules.
• Substantial knowledge of public and private funding sources and investment landscape.
• Deep knowledge of the MCA's agenda and operating environment.
• Experience providing professional advice on investment, funding and financial risks.
• Experience with complex funding landscapes and financing vehicles.
• Experience of financial leadership in a public sector organisation.
• Innovative thinker who develops fresh approaches to transformation.
• Strong problem‐solving skills and sound judgement.
• Ability to establish relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Highly flexible, adaptable and resilient.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, persuasive and influential.
• Collaborative and supportive in developing plans and strategies.
• Highly developed decision‐making, networking, advocacy, negotiating and presentation skills.

Seniority Level: Executive

Employment Type: Part‐time

Job Function: Finance

Industry: Government Administration