Finance Manager - Transformation

A forward-thinking Local Authority, undergoing a significant change, investment and transformation programme, is seeking a CCAB-qualified senior finance professional to play a pivotal role in reshaping how finance supports organisational strategy, service transformation and cultural evolution. You are also an experienced leader of people. This new role is about modernising systems, strengthening financial governance, raising capability across the organisation, and embedding a high-performance finance culture within a complex, politically sensitive environment.

• Lead the transformation of financial management arrangements
• Budget setting, multi-million, oversee year-end processes, statutory accounting
• Broad role covering operations delivery, people management, and strategy and oversight
• Modernise and optimise budget setting, monitoring and medium-term financial planning
• Drive improvements in financial systems, controls and reporting frameworks
• Strengthen financial acumen across directorates
• Act as a visible, credible finance leader to Members, Corporate Directors and Service Leaders
• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary team of senior finance professionals

• Financial systems development & optimisation
• Embedding best practice governance & control frameworks
• Supporting major service transformation initiatives
• Leading financial modelling, business cases & option appraisals
• Raising performance standards and financial competencies
• Driving cultural change within finance and across services
• Developing and mentoring Principal Accountants and future leaders; directly managing 4‑8 financial accountants with a larger indirect reporting team, shaping the future capability and culture of a finance function
• Visible leadership role with Members and Corporate Leadership Team
• Long-term strategic impact within a values-driven public sector organisation
• Excellent pension and public sector local authority benefits

• CCAB qualified with significant post‑qualification experience
• Ability to be in the detail and also make decisions and implement strategy through your team of direct reports
• Strategic finance leadership within a large, complex organisation, with public sector local authority experience strongly preferred
• Deep understanding of local government finance & statutory frameworks
• Proven track record of leading high‑performing finance teams
• Experience delivering systems improvements and organisational change
• Strong political awareness and stakeholder management capability
• Confident communicator able to challenge and influence at a senior level
• Able to operate confidently in a politically led environment

This appointment will suit an ambitious finance leader who wants to leave a legacy – not simply manage a budget. If you are ready to lead systems improvement, cultural evolution and financial excellence at scale, we would welcome a confidential conversation.