Overview
As Head of Finance you will provide strategic financial leadership across multiple directorates, ensuring robust financial planning and sustainability. You will collaborate with senior managers and Members to embed financial insight at decision-making, shaping the borough’s financial strategy. You will oversee budgeting, accounting, forecasting and performance management for complex revenue budgets, and lead major service contracts to secure value-for-money. This role drives service transformation, risk management and continuous improvement to support Brent’s communities. You will work in a values-driven, collaborative environment that prioritises fairness and inclusion and roles that shape,
Pay / Benefits
- competitive salary
- local government pension scheme
- 27 days' holiday
- family-friendly policies including maternity/paternity and childcare schemes
- flexible working patterns including hybrid working
- training and development opportunities
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic financial advice and build trusted relationships with Directors and senior managers across the Council
- Lead financial and management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and medium-term financial planning across revenue budgets
- Provide financial leadership for major service contracts (e.g., waste, recycling, street cleansing) with robust monitoring and value-for-money outcomes
- Deliver high-quality insight and challenge on financial performance, identifying risks, pressures and opportunities
- Support service transformation, savings programmes, income opportunities and continuous improvement across directorates
- Manage financial risks associated with demand-led and contract-driven budgets and advise on mitigations
- Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, financial regulations, and internal control frameworks
Key requirements
- Qualified accountant with leadership experience in local government finance
- Strong technical and commercial acumen, capable of operating across a broad strategic agenda
- Ability to act as a senior leader within the Finance service and contribute to corporate financial strategy
- Leadership capability
- Influencing and relationship-building across senior stakeholders
- Collaborative, cross-functional working and clear communication
- Strategic financial planning and medium-term financial planning
- Budgeting, forecasting and financial control
- Performance management and financial reporting
Head of Finance – Neighbourhoods in London employer: Hays
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