Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and support decision-making for Brent's Adult Social Care.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Brent, committed to transformation and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and family-friendly policies.
- Why this job: Shape the future of local services while making a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong leadership and communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Your new company
At London Borough of Brent, finance is more than just producing the accounts-it's about enabling transformation, safeguarding public resources, and helping shape the future of our borough. Working closely with colleagues across the council to ensure that financial insight is at the heart of decision-making. Their work is grounded in fairness, inclusion, and respect, and great pride is taken in creating a team environment where every voice is heard, and every success is celebrated. These values are not just aspirations-they are embedded in how they lead, how they support each other, and how they deliver for Brent's communities.
Your new role
As a key member of Brent Council's senior finance leadership team, this role serves as the principal financial adviser to the Section 151 Officer, Deputy S151 Officer, Elected Members, and the Corporate Director for Service Reform & Strategy. The position plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the department's financial strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and fiscal sustainability. The role involves building and maintaining strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including health sector partners, and leveraging financial insights to support strategic decision-making and policy development.
Leading a team of Finance Business Partners (2 Senior Finance Analysts, 2 Finance Analysts and a graduate trainee), the postholder oversees financial support across a diverse portfolio, including Adult Social Care, Strategic Commissioning and Capacity Building, Public Health, Leisure & Parks, Integrated Care Partnerships, and Communications, Insight & Innovation. The team provides expert financial advice, robust challenge, and strategic support to service directors-enabling effective budget management, financial modelling of policy and corporate initiatives, and the delivery of savings and service efficiencies in line with the Council's values and objectives.
What you'll need to succeed
You will be a qualified accountant (CCAB or CIMA – CIPFA would be particularly beneficial) with strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills and a good understanding of local government finance. This role requires a highly skilled individual with a blend of technical, leadership and influencing skills across a broad strategic agenda. You will ideally have been a key contributor and driver in an organisation which has undergone significant business transformation with demonstrable success of working collaboratively and proactively with Senior Managers and key stakeholders to improve an organisation's financial performance. You will ideally have experience of partnering with adult social care and will have a willingness to constructively challenge and question assumptions, underpinned by a solutions-focused style.
What you'll get in return
Benefits include
- competitive salary
- the opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
- generous holiday entitlements starting from 27 days' holiday a year
- a full range of family-friendly policies, including generous maternity and paternity entitlements and childcare schemes
- flexible working patterns, including hybrid working
- training and development opportunities
- good travel links in and out of Wembley and a range of cost-saving travel schemes
- access to My Brent Rewards, our dedicated website for staff with big brand discounts and local offers
- work at the outstanding state-of-the-art Brent Civic Centre
Applications will be reviewed as received, please do not wait until the closing date to apply.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays
Head of Finance - Adult Social Care employer: Hays Accountancy and Finance
Contact Detail:
Hays Accountancy and Finance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance - Adult Social Care
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience with local government. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Brent Council's recent initiatives and financial strategies. Show us that you’re not just a numbers person but also someone who understands their mission and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams through financial transformations. We want to hear about your impact and how you’ve collaborated with stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Brent team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance - Adult Social Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Finance: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for finance shine through! We want to see how you can contribute to shaping the financial strategy at Brent Council and how your values align with ours.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in local government finance and adult social care. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their ability to drive transformation and improve financial performance, so be specific about your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key skills and experiences are easy to spot. Remember, we want to understand your journey and how it fits with our mission!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget 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. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Accountancy and Finance
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to adult social care and local government finance. Be ready to discuss how you've used financial insights to drive strategic decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role involves leading a team, so be prepared to talk about your leadership approach. Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams, fostered collaboration, and navigated challenges. Highlight your ability to create an inclusive environment where every voice is heard.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with Brent Council's priorities and values. Be ready to discuss how your financial strategies can align with their goals for transformation and community support. Showing that you understand their mission will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations. Think of scenarios where you had to challenge assumptions or implement changes in financial strategy. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.