At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Birmingham City Council's financial planning and drive strategic recovery initiatives.
- Company: Join the largest local authority in Europe, making a real impact on community services.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous pension scheme, and commitment to your professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Birmingham through strategic financial leadership and innovation.
- Qualifications: CCAB qualification and experience in strategic financial planning required.
The predicted salary is between 66627 - 85845 £ per year.
Grade 7 – £66,627 – £85,845. Working 36.5 hours per week. Sponsorship is not available; applicants must have the right to work in the UK without employer sponsorship.
About the Role
Birmingham City Council is the largest local authority in Europe, serving over one million residents and delivering essential services to one of the UK’s most diverse and dynamic cities. As we continue our financial reset and transformation journey, we are seeking a highly capable and strategic leader to take the role of Head of Financial Planning. This pivotal position sits at the heart of the Council’s financial recovery and long‑term sustainability programme. You will lead the Council’s financial planning function, shaping the Medium‑Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), overseeing budget setting and monitoring, and supporting the delivery of our improvement and transformation priorities. Working closely with the Corporate Leadership Team, Commissioners, and elected members, you will provide authoritative financial advice and play a key role in restoring financial resilience and embedding best‑practice financial management across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of Birmingham City Council’s Medium‑Term Financial Strategy, aligning resources to corporate priorities and statutory responsibilities.
- Oversee the annual budget setting process and multi‑year financial planning within a complex, high‑profile environment.
- Produce and interpret robust and dynamic financial planning and settlement funding models. Understand the key inputs and drivers of such models.
- Provide strategic financial advice to directors, cabinet members, and senior stakeholders, including commissioners.
- Drive the Council’s financial recovery programme, identifying sustainable savings, efficiencies, and income‑generation opportunities.
- Ensure robust financial governance, compliance with CIPFA standards, and transparency in financial decision‑making.
- Strengthen financial planning processes, modelling, and scenario analysis to support informed decision‑making.
- Lead and develop a high‑performing financial planning team, building capability and resilience.
- Support major transformation programmes and service redesign with expert financial insight.
- Maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, central government, and regional partners.
About You
You will bring a combination of experience, credibility and leadership skills suitable for a complex, high‑profile environment.
- A CCAB qualification (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA) or equivalent.
- Experience in strategic financial planning, ideally within local government or the wider public sector.
- Strong understanding of local government finance, including finance settlements, funding pressures, statutory requirements, and regulatory frameworks.
- Demonstrable experience of leading financial recovery, transformation, or large‑scale savings programmes.
- Proven ability to influence and challenge at senior officer and political levels.
- Strong leadership skills, with experience building and developing high‑performing teams.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Why Join Birmingham City Council?
- A unique opportunity to play a leadership role in one of the most significant financial recovery programmes in UK local government.
- The chance to make a lasting impact on the future of the city and its communities.
- Work at scale in a complex, fast‑paced, and high‑profile organisation.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Generous Local Government Pension Scheme and employee benefits.
- Commitment to professional development and continuous improvement.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. Our data shows that for this level of role, ethnic minorities are under‑represented, and therefore we will use positive action to support diverse shortlists. Recruitment times may be longer, but we consider this necessary to achieve our aim. Birmingham City Council is an Accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We will undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Proof of right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Strategic Head of Financial Planning in Birmingham employer: WMJobs
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead in one of the UK's most significant financial recovery programmes while making a lasting impact on the city's diverse communities. With a commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a generous Local Government Pension Scheme, employees are supported in their growth within a high-profile and dynamic environment. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values diversity and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Head of Financial Planning in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the local government or finance sectors. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups to get your name out there and learn about potential opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Birmingham City Council's recent financial initiatives. Show us that you understand their challenges and can contribute to their financial recovery programme with your strategic insights.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in strategic financial planning and how it aligns with the Council’s goals. We want to hear how you can lead a high-performing team and drive transformation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Head of Financial Planning in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in strategic financial planning. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Financial Planning, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about leading a high-performing team, so be sure to include examples of your leadership experience. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and develop others, so share those success stories with us!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official 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 WMJobs
✨Know Your Financial Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of local government finance, especially around funding pressures and statutory requirements. Being able to discuss the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams and driving financial recovery programmes. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead in a complex environment.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to discuss how you've successfully influenced senior officers and political figures in the past. This role requires strong stakeholder engagement skills, so think of instances where your communication made a significant impact on decision-making.
✨Prepare for Scenario Analysis
Since the role involves financial modelling and scenario analysis, practice explaining how you approach these tasks. Be prepared to discuss the key inputs and drivers of financial models, as well as how you use them to support informed decision-making.
