Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial services and shape the Isle of Wight's future through strategic financial management.
- Company: Isle of Wight Council, dedicated to enhancing local community services.
- Benefits: 32 days annual leave, pension scheme, travel discounts, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Join a supportive community focused on innovation and high performance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the Island's financial future in a beautiful coastal setting.
- Qualifications: Qualified finance professional with experience in local government financial management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Join us as we shape the Isle of Wight's future through strong financial stewardship and system leadership. We need a talented and experienced Service Director of Finance to join us and play a pivotal role in securing a resilient financial future for the Island. The role will also hold Deputy Section 151 Officer status working to ensure best practice in financial planning, monitoring and risk mitigation in the design and delivery of services.
The Service Director for Finance plays a crucial role in turning strategy into impact for the Isle of Wight. This is an opportunity to lead finance services, strengthen sound decision-making, and build capability across the organisation, making a real difference for Island residents.
With Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) announcing that the Island will be retained as a separate unitary authority, this is the perfect time to join us to take our local directives forward. With our unique geography and distinct service needs, this announcement ensures decisions continue to be made locally and services remain tailored to our residents. We are ready to move forward confidently, focusing on strengthening public services, supporting our economy, and championing the interests of our Island community. Join us and help secure a strong, sustainable financial future for the Isle of Wight.
Focus areas will include:
- Lead and manage the Council's financial management services
- Development and delivery of financial strategy and budget setting
- Provision of strategic advice to Members, senior officers and project boards
- Robust financial governance, assurance, risk management and financial oversight
- Financial appraisal, due diligence and investment analysis for major strategic projects and commercial activity
- Ensure financial benefits are clearly defined, understood, monitored and delivered
- Financial oversight of Council owned companies and trading activity
- Champion continuous improvement, innovation and modern financial practice
- Lead, develop and motivate high performing professional finance teams
- Maintain strong business continuity arrangements
- Contribute to corporate emergency response arrangements
We are looking for a qualified finance professional, experienced in finance leadership, with a strong track record in local government financial management who can engage, inspire and influence whilst sharing specialist knowledge in complex and politically sensitive environments.
Required skills and experience include:
- Relevant professional finance qualification (e.g. CIPFA or equivalent) and the capability to fulfil the role of Deputy Section 151 Officer
- Local authority finance, including budgeting, financial planning, control, accounting and governance
- Evidence of leading strategic financial projects, business cases and investment proposals
- Strong commercial awareness and a creative, solution focused approach to financial sustainability
- Political awareness and the ability to influence and challenge at senior level
- Clear commitment to developing people, championing professional standards and building inclusive, high performing teams
This is a unique chance to take on a challenging leadership role, shaping the future of our island, in a fantastic coastal location surrounded by beauty, in a warm and welcoming community.
Join and you'll also receive our staff benefits package including:
- Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Discounted Solent ferry travel
- Island bus network discount
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff parking permit scheme
- Salary sacrifice scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Discounted island sports and leisure gym membership
- National and local discounts and benefits schemes
- Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
- Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)
Executive in England employer: Lgcplus
Contact Detail:
Lgcplus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in local government or finance sectors. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups to get your name out there. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Isle of Wight Council and its financial strategies. Understand their challenges and think about how you can contribute. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire and influence others, especially in politically sensitive environments.
✨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 you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to secure a strong financial future for the Isle of Wight.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in local government finance. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Service Director of Finance, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a pivotal role in our organisation, we’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire. Use your application to demonstrate your experience in managing high-performing teams and how you’ve successfully navigated complex financial projects.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re the right fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you 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 to shape the Isle of Wight's future!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lgcplus
✨Know Your Financial Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your local authority finance knowledge. Understand budgeting, financial planning, and governance inside out. Be ready to discuss how you've led strategic financial projects in the past and how you can apply that experience to the Isle of Wight.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about leading high-performing teams. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and developed finance teams before. Think about specific situations where you championed professional standards and inclusivity – these stories will resonate well.
✨Be Politically Savvy
Given the politically sensitive nature of local government, it's crucial to demonstrate your political awareness. Be prepared to discuss how you've influenced senior stakeholders and navigated complex environments in previous roles. This will show you can handle the challenges that come with the position.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
The Isle of Wight Council is looking for someone who champions innovation and modern financial practices. Come armed with ideas on how to improve financial governance and oversight. Share examples of how you've implemented changes that led to better financial outcomes in your previous roles.