Head of Finance Business Partnering - Akton Recruitment Ltd : Job Details

Job Title: Head of Finance Business Partnering

Location: Bexley (Hybrid working arrangement)Contract Duration: 6 monthsDaily Rate: £860/day

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Finance Business Partnering for a 6-month contract. This pivotal role involves leading and implementing the business partnering function across designated service areas, acting as a key partner with service leadership teams to develop, challenge, and support service plans and project delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Strategy: Lead the provision of an effective Business Partnering function, challenge the status quo, and collaborate with services to develop new delivery models aimed at delivering significant cost savings and maximising outcomes for residents.
• Financial Advisory: Proactively lead financial advice and support within Business Partnering, focusing on delivering savings and maximising service outcomes.
• Information Management: Ensure financial information is relevant, balanced, and received by decision-makers in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Risk Management: Identify weak financial management areas, risks, and pressures, working with relevant services to implement improvements.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with directors and senior stakeholders to equip them with the necessary tools and skills to manage their finances independently.
• Team Leadership: Lead, manage, and motivate the finance team through effective communication, professional guidance, and support, adhering to council policies and procedures.
• Customer Focus: Develop self-service finance support mechanisms to enhance customer focus and reduce dependency on finance support.
• Value Addition: Collaborate with stakeholders to identify opportunities for finance to add value, particularly through enhanced financial data analytics.
• Service Delivery: Contribute to the development and monitoring of service level agreements, KPIs, roles, and responsibilities to ensure quality service delivery.
• Advice and Support: Provide comprehensive advice and support to Members, management board, directors, and deputy directors on financial issues.
• Financial Activities: Oversee wider finance activities, including the closure of accounts and budget development.
• Strategic Financial Advice: Deliver strategic financial advice to support continuous service improvement aligned with corporate priorities and the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy.
• Project Support: Ensure effective financial support for programmes and projects, including financial modelling and business case preparation.

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Full member of CCAB or equivalent accountancy body.
• Significant post-qualification experience with active participation in formal Continuing Professional Development.
• In-depth knowledge of the Local Government finance framework, statutory requirements, and code of practice.
• Senior management experience, ideally as a Head of Finance for Place Directorate with a strong understanding of the major issues facing local government and the national policy context.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate across all levels of the organisation.
• Proven track record in successful resource management in a multi-disciplinary environment, including managing large budgets, business planning, quality, and performance management.

Application Process:

If you are a dynamic and strategic finance professional looking to make a significant impact within a local authority setting, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.