At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and modernise finance services, driving efficiency and compliance across Somerset Council.
- Company: Somerset Council, committed to community-focused financial services.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 33 days annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to transforming public sector finance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance with innovative technologies and impactful leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance operations, strong IT skills, and leadership capabilities.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Full-time (37 hours), 18-month fixed-term contract.
33 days’ annual leave (additional to Bank Holidays).
Flexible and Hybrid working opportunities.
If you’re an experienced finance leader ready to shape and modernise services at scale, this is a unique opportunity to take ownership of Somerset Council’s transactional finance and financial systems. You’ll lead critical services such as payments, income, and debt recovery, ensuring they operate efficiently and compliantly while supporting essential services across our communities.
This role offers the chance to drive meaningful transformation, leading the adoption of new technologies, AI, and automation while influencing how financial services are delivered across the organisation. You’ll play a key role in strengthening financial resilience, improving performance, and embedding innovative, future-focused ways of working across a large and complex council environment.
Role Summary
As our Exchequer and Systems Manager, you’ll provide strategic leadership across transactional finance and financial systems, ensuring efficient, compliant, and customer-focused services. You’ll drive improvements in financial resilience, support organisational transformation, and enable the Council to deliver its priorities through strong financial governance and modern service delivery.
What you’ll do – Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage Exchequer and Transactional Finance services, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Debt Recovery and Cashiers.
- Oversee and develop financial systems, ensuring they are efficient, resilient, and aligned with organisational and IT strategy.
- Drive continuous improvement and transformation of financial services, including integration into the Council’s Target Operating Model.
- Act as the lead for financial system incidents, coordinating with ICT and suppliers to ensure timely resolution.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures covering income management, debt recovery, procurement compliance and cash handling.
- Lead fraud prevention activity and ensure strong financial governance and regulatory compliance.
- Oversee debt recovery processes, including analysis, reporting and legal proceedings.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, schools and external partners to ensure effective service delivery.
- Manage relationships with system vendors and service providers, ensuring performance and compliance.
- Monitor performance and drive service improvements to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
What we’re looking for – Knowledge, Experience, & Skills
- Significant experience in transactional finance operations and financial systems management within a complex organisation.
- Strong knowledge of financial systems, particularly ERP platforms such as Microsoft D365, alongside high IT literacy and data analysis skills.
- Experience of working collaboratively across Finance and ICT, including service management, performance monitoring, incident handling and continuous improvement.
- Experience in policy development, compliance, audit processes and fraud prevention.
- Strong understanding of public sector finance, governance and statutory reporting.
- Experience managing debt recovery processes, including legal proceedings and aged debt analysis.
- Proven leadership and people management experience, including managing large or matrix teams.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Knowledge of AI and automation tools within financial systems.
- Understanding of traded services and school finance operations.
- Familiarity with open banking and digital payment strategies.
- Experience with income management systems and e-payment platforms.
- Experience working in a local authority or public sector environment.
- Experience conducting service reviews and audits to improve efficiency and quality.
- Project management qualification such as PRINCE2 or Agile.
Additional Information
Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.
A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request.
Exchequer & Systems Manager in Taunton employer: Somerset-Council-1
Somerset Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering 33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays and flexible hybrid working arrangements. As the Exchequer & Systems Manager, you will have the unique opportunity to lead transformative financial services within a supportive and innovative environment, driving meaningful change while collaborating with diverse stakeholders across the community. Join us to make a significant impact in public service and enhance your career in a dynamic local authority setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Exchequer & Systems Manager in Taunton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in finance and local government. Let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities like the Exchequer & Systems Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Somerset Council's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for transforming financial services and how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background in transactional finance and systems management makes you the perfect fit for this role. Highlight your leadership skills and any innovative solutions you've implemented in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Exchequer & Systems Manager in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Exchequer & Systems Manager role. Highlight your experience in transactional finance and financial systems management, and don’t forget to mention any relevant technologies you’ve worked with, like Microsoft D365.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your leadership experience and how you’ve driven improvements in financial services before. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency or leading successful projects, we want to see how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Somerset-Council-1
✨Know Your Financial Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of financial systems, especially ERP platforms like Microsoft D365. Be ready to discuss how you've used these systems in previous roles and how they can be leveraged for efficiency and compliance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, particularly in managing teams and driving transformation in financial services. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them to improve performance.
✨Understand the Public Sector Landscape
Familiarise yourself with public sector finance, governance, and statutory reporting. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with the unique challenges and opportunities within local authorities.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built relationships with internal and external stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share strategies for effective communication and collaboration, especially in complex environments like councils.
