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    Job description - Service Director, Financial Management

    Purpose

    To contribute to the financial leadership of the council and manage the strategic development and delivery of accountancy, treasury management, insurance, payroll and HR support, creditor payments and debtors' income and ensure that appropriate financial controls and systems are in place.

    Key result areas

    • As a member of leadership team, contribute to the strategic direction and management of the council to deliver the Thrive agenda.
    • Whilst specific professional areas are allocated to individual roles, there is an expectation that all service directors can be required to work across any service, group or area within the council, as required.
    • Lead the development and implementation of corporate initiatives as allocated to effect change across the council.
    • Manage and support the implementation of corporate initiatives to ensure that changes are delivered within the Corporate Resources and Digital group.
    • Act as deputy Section 151 Officer and deputy Anti-money Laundering Officer for the council to meet statutory requirements.
    • Contribute to the strategic direction and management of the council's finances and deputise for the strategic director by providing leadership and managerial support to achieve the council's aims and objectives.
    • Manage the strategic development and delivery of the Financial Management Service.
    • Provide strategic financial and business advice to facilitate corporate management, service delivery, strategic planning and policy of the council and nominated external bodies.
    • Manage the preparation of revenue and capital budgets and financial plans to meet council guidelines and timescales.
    • Manage and seek to develop systems to produce and circulate financial information to assist services in the planning and monitoring of their budgets.
    • Manage and seek to improve the council's treasury management processes to meet statutory requirements and professional guidelines.
    • Manage the production of the council's final accounts and the accounts of the Council's wholly owned companies to meet statutory deadlines.
    • Manage the council's payroll and HR support function by providing payroll, pensions and employee administration service to the council and associated bodies.
    • Manage the payments recovery of sundry debts and administering the payment of invoices on behalf of the council and associated bodies.
    • Manage the council's insurance function to safeguard the interests of the council and adhere to policies and procedures.
    • Monitor and review key financial systems used both corporately and in the Financial Management and Exchequer service to ensure the council's needs are met. 
    • Manage relationships with external partners to align services and objectives.
    • Manage the grants and funding process to maximise income for the council.
    • Manage and develop schools budget support, traded activity and financial relationships with schools.
    • Work across the council to ensure that resource allocation is aligned to Thrive Policy objectives and that creditors and debtor activity is consistent with this.
    • Represent the council at local, regional and national level to promote the council and influence policies.
    • Provide advice to and engage with portfolio holders, members and strategic partners in relation to financial management.
    • Manage all employees (including procedures for trade union engagement), relevant budgets, assets and performance to deliver efficient and effective services in accordance with council policies and procedures.
    • Respond to media enquiries relating to the service in consultation with the council's Communications Team
    • Lead the Council's policy, planning and performance framework, including business continuity in relation to the Financial Management and Exchequer Service.
    • Lead on the delivery of the council's internal audit function including the council's overall risk strategy and development.

    Critical success factors

    • Maintaining strategic focus
    • Control of expenditure
    • Compliance with all statutory requirements for budget setting and completion of accounts
    • Unqualified opinion on accounts from external audit
    • Compliance with council policies and practice
    • Customer satisfaction
    • Achievement of performance management targets
    • Financial standing of the council
    • Effective cross-function working
    • Excellent payment performance
    • Excellent collection performance
    • Payroll accurate and on time.

    Skills, know-how and experience

    • CIPFA/CCAB qualified
    • Ability to think strategically
    • Senior management experience
    • Extensive post qualification experience in local government
    • Management and budgetary experience
    • Analytical and problem-solving skills
    • Communication skills
    • Management of change

    Competencies

    • Directing strategy
    • Corporate responsibility
    • Building a shared vision
    • Change leadership
    • Managing service delivery
    • Business acumen
    • Facilitating change
    • Communication and engagement
    • Developing teams and individuals
    • Managing performance
    • Personal impact
    • Making things happen
    • Customer focus
    • Communication
    • Team working
    • Flexibility
    • Learning and development

    Dimensions

    • £14.8m gross budget
    • Approximately staff 553 headcount, 297 FTE

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    Service Director, Financial Management - new opportunity