Corporate Finance Manager

The Financial Management Service plays a vital role in ensuring the strong financial health, governance, and operational resilience of Gateshead Council. Bringing together Corporate Finance, Group Finance, Strategic Finance, Internal Audit, Insurance and Risk, and a wide range of support services, the service provides the insight, assurance, and expertise that underpin effective decision‑making across the organisation. By safeguarding resources, maintaining high‑performing financial systems, and delivering robust professional advice, the service enables the council to operate confidently, sustainably, and compliantly in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment.

We're looking for a confident and motivated Corporate Finance Manager to play a key role in driving strategic financial decision‑making across the organisation. In this influential role, you'll provide high‑quality financial insight, lead on revenue budget and council tax setting, support long‑term planning, and help shape the direction of the business through robust analysis and advice. Working closely with senior leaders, you'll translate complex data into meaningful recommendations, ensuring our financial strategies support growth, resilience, and innovation. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and enjoy turning numbers into narratives that inspire action, we'd love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Council's Medium‑Term Financial Planning, ensuring forward‑looking, sustainable financial strategies that support the organisation's priorities and statutory responsibilities.
• Oversee the Council Tax and Revenue Budget Setting process, including calculating annual council tax levels and advising senior officers on the implications of changes to central Government funding.
• Ensure the timely and accurate production of the Statement of Accounts, meeting all statutory deadlines and maintaining strong working relationships with external auditors.
• Monitor and forecast Business Rates and Council Tax income, providing robust oversight of the Collection Fund to support effective financial governance and decision‑making.
• Contribute expert financial analysis to support the Council's responses to Government consultations, ensuring the potential impact on local services and funding is clearly articulated.
• Lead the annual review of fees and charges, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, transparent consultation, and sound decision‑making processes.
• Manage the Financial Systems Team, ensuring financial systems remain efficient, secure, and fit for purpose through timely upgrades and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership and direction for the Exchequer function, including the effective management of debtors, creditors, and income services.
• Play an active role within the Finance Service Leadership Team, championing best practice, contributing to strategic service development, and supporting the Council's commitment to strong financial stewardship.

Qualifications

• CCAB qualified accountant (e.g. CIPFA, ICAEW, ACA, ACCA, ICAS, or Chartered Accountants Ireland).
• Strong technical knowledge and substantial experience of working within the public sector financial, assurance, and governance environment, including both financial and non‑financial control frameworks.
• Leadership experience, with the ability to motivate teams, support professional development, and contribute to a collaborative senior finance leadership environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, managing and prioritising a heavy workload effectively while meeting tight deadlines.
• Track record of providing professional financial advice to a range of stakeholders.
• Strong communication and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across services and with external partners, including auditors and Government bodies.
• Ability to present complex financial information clearly, produce effective written reports, and confidently use a wide range of office software packages (including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email applications).