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- Tasks: Lead the Council's finance function during a critical transition and budget preparation period.
- Company: Local Authority seeking an Interim Director of Finance for strategic leadership.
- Benefits: Competitive rate of £900 per day, hybrid working, and a contract of 3-6 months.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on financial management during a crucial organisational change.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in Local Authority finance and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to work collaboratively with senior stakeholders and ensure service continuity.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Spencer Clarke Group are working closely with a Local Authority to appoint an Interim Director of Finance to provide senior leadership across the Resources Service Area during a critical transition period.
This is a high-profile interim assignment focused on leading the Council's financial management through year end and into the next budget setting cycle, while supporting the organisation through a significant finance system transition.
What's on Offer
- Rate: £900 per day, inside IR35
- Hours: 35 per week
- Contract length: 3-6 months initially
- Working pattern: Hybrid
- Start: ASAP / subject to notice
The Role
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership of the Council's finance function, ensuring the delivery of high-quality financial services aligned with the organisation's core values.
You will work alongside the outgoing post holder during a structured handover period to secure organisational knowledge and ensure continuity of service. While not directly managing the finance system replacement project, you will play a key supporting role in guiding teams through the transition and maintaining service standards.
Key responsibilities:
- Leading the Council's finance service during a critical year-end and budget preparation period.
- Providing visible strategic leadership across the Resources Service Area.
- Supporting colleagues through the implementation of a new finance system.
- Ensuring strong financial governance, controls and regulatory compliance.
- Maintaining service continuity and performance during organisational change.
- Working collaboratively with senior stakeholders across the Council.
- Overseeing the smooth transfer of responsibilities during the handover period.
About You
You will ideally have:
- Significant senior leadership experience within Local Authority finance
- A strong track record of delivering financial services in complex environments
- Experience operating through periods of organisational or systems change
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills
- A commitment to ethical leadership and public service values
- The ability to maintain robust financial controls and governance
- CCAB qualification (or equivalent senior-level experience)
How to Apply
If you are interested, please submit your CV along with your required day rate. If successful, a consultant will be in touch to discuss further details.
Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
We also offer a market-leading referral scheme of up to £300. If you know someone suitable, please ask them to email their CV to, including your details. T&Cs apply.
Director of Finance (Interim) employer: Spencer Clarke Group
Contact Detail:
Spencer Clarke Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Finance (Interim)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience with local authorities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about opportunities that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council's recent financial decisions and challenges. This shows you're not just interested in the role but also invested in their success. We want you to stand out as a candidate who’s ready to hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your leadership experience aligns with the council's needs during this transition. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for top talent like you, so make sure you get your CV in!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Finance (Interim)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Interim Director of Finance. Highlight your senior leadership experience and any relevant achievements in local authority finance. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Experience: In your application, emphasise your track record of delivering financial services in complex environments. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to navigate organisational change and maintain strong financial governance.
Engage with Stakeholders: Don’t forget to mention your excellent stakeholder engagement skills! We value collaboration, so share examples of how you’ve worked with senior stakeholders in the past to achieve common goals.
Apply Through Our Website: Finally, make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep everything organised. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spencer Clarke Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Director of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets and financial systems in the past. This will show that you’re not just familiar with numbers, but that you can lead financial strategy effectively.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Highlight your senior leadership experience within Local Authority finance. Prepare specific examples of how you've led teams through transitions or changes, especially during critical periods like year-end or budget preparation. This will help the interviewers see you as a strong candidate who can provide the strategic leadership they need.
✨Engage Stakeholders
Since collaboration is key in this role, think about how you’ve engaged with stakeholders in previous positions. Be ready to share stories that illustrate your ability to build relationships and work collaboratively across departments. This will demonstrate your commitment to ethical leadership and public service values.
✨Prepare for System Changes
Given the focus on supporting a finance system transition, be prepared to discuss your experience with organisational or systems change. Share insights on how you’ve maintained service continuity and performance during such transitions, which will reassure them of your capability to handle the challenges ahead.
