Head of Corporate Finance (DS151)
Ref:
- Colchester
- Finance
- Permanent
- Consultant: Tim
Job Title: Head of Corporate Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer
Service: Corporate and Improvement
Salary: Up to £88,456.00 per annum
Responsible to: Section 151 Officer
Line Management Responsibility for: Chief Accountant, Senior FBP, Strategic Finance Manager and Treasury Officer
Contact with: Officers of all levels, Councillors, external organisations and local authorities
Purpose of job: To provide strategic leadership and management of the Council’s corporate finance function, including financial planning, capital and revenue budgeting, treasury management, financial reporting and all Statutory Returns As Deputy Section 151 Officer, the postholder will support the statutory responsibilities of the Chief Finance Officer, (S151) and deputise with the s151 in their absence, ensuring the Council maintains high standards of financial governance, resilience, and accountability.
The role leads the Chief Accountant, the Treasury & Capital functions, Financial Planning and Budget Strategy, and a team of Finance Business Partners, working collaboratively across the organisation to deliver financial insight, robust financial management, and effective stewardship of public funds.
This post will take the lead on the financial planning, budget setting and medium-term financial strategy, working with the s151. This will include working with other officers across the Council including SLB, HoS and Members to prepare and deliver a balanced budget.
The role will also attend meetings with and brief the Portfolio Holder and attend Governance & Audit Committee with or on behalf of the s151 and Cabinet as and when required.
Budget responsibilities: TBC
Responsibilities
- Strategic Financial Leadership:
- Lead the delivery of the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, service plans, and resource constraints.
- Act as a key advisor to the Chief Finance Officer (s151), Senior Leadership Board (SLB) and Members on financial strategy, sustainability, and policy development.
- Deputise for the Section 151 Officer in all statutory, strategic, and corporate finance matters.
- Financial Planning & Budgeting:
- Lead the annual budget planning, setting, and monitoring processes, ensuring integration of revenue and capital.
- Oversee the delivery of high-quality financial advice and support to services through a qualified and skilled team of Finance Business Partners.
- Lead budget engagement with Members and senior officers, ensuring financial information is clear, timely, and supports effective decision-making.
- Treasury & Capital Management
- Provide strategic oversight of the Council’s Treasury Management strategy and operations, ensuring prudent management of borrowing, investments, and cash flow.
- Oversee the Capital Programme and development of the Capital Strategy, ensuring sound financial planning, affordability, and compliance with statutory and prudential frameworks.
- Work with Director of Estates to prepare and drive forward a sustainable Investment Strategy.
- Strategic Financial Leadership:
- Lead the delivery of the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, service plans, and resource constraints.
- Act as a key advisor to the Chief Finance Officer (s151), Senior Leadership Board (SLB) and Members on financial strategy, sustainability, and policy development.
- Deputise for the Section 151 Officer in all statutory, strategic, and corporate finance matters.
- Financial Governance & Reporting
- Lead on the production of robust, accurate, and compliant financial reporting, including monthly monitoring, forecasts, and statutory returns.
- Oversee the preparation of the Statement of Accounts, in partnership with the Chief Accountant, ensuring quality and audit-readiness.
- Ensure strong financial controls, policy frameworks, and procedures are in place to safeguard public funds.
- Team Leadership & People Management
- Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing Corporate Finance team, including the Chief Accountant, Financial Strategy, Finance Business Partners, and Treasury function.
- Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture that promotes innovation, integrity, and professional excellence.
- Support learning, succession planning, and continuous improvement within the team.
Person Specification
- Full membership of CCAB recognised body (e.g CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
What we hope that you have:
- Have experience in a similar role in another Local Authority
Skills
Role-specific technical skills:
- Proven experience in finance role at this level
- Knowledge and awareness of issues affecting local government
- Understanding of financial systems
- Appreciate the increasing role of the commercial sector in financial matters, and an understanding of how this changes requirements on the finance service
- Treasury management knowledge or experience
Leadership/Management
- Have integrity
- Be able to inspire and motivate others
- Have organisational and political awareness
- Empower and enable staff
Impact and influence
- Be decisive
- Have business and financial acumen
- Develop team performance and motivate staff
- Deal with conflict
- Use appropriate management styles
- Be able to plan, monitor and prioritise change
- Understand risk management
Project Management
- Be able to plan, monitor and prioritise change
- Meet deadlines
- Be methodical and able to problem solve
IT Skills
- Microsoft Office365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
Data Protection
- Up to date knowledge and understanding of the principles of data protection legislation to ensure compliance.
Physical or special attributed:
- Work flexibly as appropriate
- Attend evening meetings/external meetings as required