LEAD FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNER - CAPITAL

6 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

To work alongside a Service Directorate management team within one of the four Operational Finance teams three of which provide a full range of financial direction support and guidance to one of the Council s Directorates and one which provides crosscutting support on capital and transformation.

To support the Directorates Senior Management and their budget managers to deliver their budget management responsibilities. The post holder will be required to translate complex financial data to nonfinancial stakeholders and effectively challenge senior managers in ensuring robust financial management of each business area.

To provide direct financial support to the Directorates to enable them to develop their strategic financial plans and ensure that the future needs of the service are reflected in the Council s medium term financial forecasts. To support the Finance managers in the provision of highquality financial advice and accurate and timely financial information to Corporate Directors Heads of Service and budget managers across the Directorates through daytoday management and coordination of a service finance team.

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

To support the coordination of an operational Finance team or a number of staff within the team to provide an optimum level of service provision in accordance with the Council s policies budget allocation and statutory requirements.

To support the target setting performance management business planning and budget management for the Finance team.

To support the responsible selection development and performance of junior members within a specific operational finance team in line with the Council s HR policies.

To undertake additional and specific management responsibilities within the team as directed by the Finance Manager.

To work closely with the Senior Managers within the Directorate so that they are fully informed of the financial position and risks for their services and take the necessary actions to stay within budget.

To support the development of effective external working relationships with key stakeholders within the Council to ensure the service has the knowledge and expertise to continuously improve its financial performance.

Additional Duties POD Grade:

To take the lead on developing and maintaining external relationships as directed by the Finance Manager.

Ensure that officers and Members are provided with high quality financial advice and direction on financial strategies policy standards and practices enabling service Directorates to make timely and wellinformed strategic and operational decisions in the knowledge of the impact those decisions will have financially on the Council.

Understand the business of the service Directorate and the customer s needs and provide a finance service that adds value.

Support the delivery of productivity efficiency improvement and cost reduction plans within the service Directorate including change programmes and crosscutting projects and the identification and securing of new funding streams.

The post holder will also be responsible for identifying financial issues within the service Directorate that require attention and seek resolutions to areas of financial concern to ensure expenditure and income is contained within the Budget.

To develop and support improvement projects within the Directorate from a finance perspective.

To support the Directorate Head of Finance in ensuring that each Directorate complies with Financial Standing Orders and all other financial policies and procedures as directed by the Chief Finance Officer. Key to the role will be working with a variety of stakeholders including elected Members Corporate and Divisional Directors and budget managers.

To work with Strategic Finance colleagues as required to proactively support the production of strategic and mediumterm financial planning information.

To ensure that the statutory accounting requirements with respect to each Directorate are met and that legislative changes that may have financial impact on Directorates are covered.

To lead on the work and review of complex and high level operational financial issues for specific service areas.

To regularly represent Senior Finance Officers as the finance expert at both internal and external forums.

4. Service Planning & Development

Ensure clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are in place where appropriate covering all aspects of service delivery with performance and response levels.

To support the development of annual operational plans and budgets for the function or team so that there are clear priorities and appropriate resources are allocated to their achievement.

To formulate and develop plans and budgets for particular areas of the team and input into the workforce planning process.

To support the development and implementation of budget plans across the Directorate within legislative requirements and in compliance with the Council s policies regulations and standing orders.

To ensure the provision of timely financial information in support of Departmental and Corporate performance monitoring requirements and to corporate timetables.

To ensure all purchasing and procurement is conducted in line with the corporate guidelines with appropriate use of the Council s financial systems.

To maintain high standards of statutory accounting and meet the Council s statutory and professional requirements.

To ensure that all financial systems within the Directorate are fit for purpose link with our Corporate financial systems meet statutory requirements and financial regulations.

To play a key role in supporting the delivery of productivity and efficiency improvement and cost reduction plans within the service Directorate supporting transformation change programmes and identifying and securing new funding streams.

To identify financial issues within the service Directorate that require attention and assist in the successful resolution of areas of financial risk and concern.

To ensure the service Directorate has considered and is managing financial risk and ensure there are adequate reserves and provisions reporting exceptions to the Finance Manager as necessary.

To take a lead in resolving specific and complex financial issues within the service.

To take personal responsibility for specific technical accounting issues within the team/service area as directed by the Head of Finance.

To support the Head of Finance in the provision of financial input to the transformational agenda across the Council.

Support the implementation of improvement initiatives and change programmes using the Council s Project Management and Service Improvement methodologies.

To contribute to corporate areas of activity organisational development and councilwide crossdepartmental strategies projects or policies as required from time to time.

To undertake personal responsibility and the finance lead in transformational projects and change programmes as directed by the Finance Manager

Primary contact will be with other officers within the Council with financial or budget holding responsibilities. and service users / residents and their representative bodies. The postholder will attend senior management member briefings committees and other stakeholder forums as directed.

To develop and promote internal and external partnerships that reflect the Council s commitment to work in active partnership with the community so that coherent and value for money services are provided.

To be aware of and assist in managing effective crossDirectorate working relationships while maintaining professional integrity and without compromising good financial and accounting practice.

To regularly attend member briefings committees and other forums to represent finance on specific financial issues within the service.

Complete other reasonable tasks to fulfil role purpose or as instructed by management.

Skills/Experience:

Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service including attending evening meetings as required.

Experience as a finance professional in a large and complex public sector organisation and an understanding of the annual financial cycle and regime within local authorities.

A good understanding of statutory and regulatory financial framework for local government.

Experience of building partnerships and working effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Evidence of developing financial strategies and project work in an operational finance setting and across service boundaries.

Experience of successful management of significant budgets in a comparable public sector organisation.

Experience of working across the full range of the accountancy function.

Experience in a management role in a multidisciplinary organisation.

Knowledge of accounting principles and practices necessary to provide financial control and direction.

Strong analytical and technical skills and the ability to clearly present financial information in a manner appropriate to the recipients of the information.

Knowledge and understanding of the Council s core objectives and an understanding of the legislative frameworks and key issues relevant to local government financial management generally.

Ability to extract and manipulate relevant financial data from the core financial information systems with advanced Microsoft Office skills.

Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate with Members and senior management.

Ability to provide constructive challenge and to exert influence.

Advanced technical financial skills such as capital investment appraisal options appraisal financial modelling benchmarking and appropriate financial inputs into business cases.

Ability to use professional judgement effectively in the management of the financial affairs of the Directorate with the minimum level of recourse to more senior staff.

A sound understanding of the political environment and the role of elected members

An understanding of the specific financial and business context facing the service Directorate and the relevant legislative requirements and context.

Ability to contribute effectively in a large complex organisation to plans for transformational change and improvement.

Putting Our Residents First. Promotes excellent customer service.

Encourages diversity of thought and opinion. Ensures that everyone feels included.

Acts as an ambassador for the London Borough of Hillingdon in all contacts with residents and customers.

Displays personal commitment to team. Clarifies roles and responsibilities. Proactively supports staff health and wellbeing.

Understands the process of change and supports others through the change cycle providing a safe environment for people to discuss concerns and the impact of change.

Promotes the use of resident feedback and data to improve team service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Builds effective networks with colleagues and promotes crossfunctional working within teams.

Encourages other to grow. Provides learning and development opportunities for others.

Uses resident and customer feedback & intelligence to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Sets team objectives supports monitors and appraises performance standards using agreed performance and productivity systems. Stays focused and meets deadlines. Does not procrastinate when addressing poor performance.

Effectively manages allocated budget using appropriate financial tools. Ensures budget monitoring and forecasting is completed within budgetary cycles.

Identifies opportunities for continuous service improvement. Ability to make processes both more effective and efficient. Convinces others to adopt improved processes.

Solution focused willing to try new things admits and learns from own mistakes.

Understands Local Government. Displays understanding of local democracy and political decisionmaking processes.

Applies decisionmaking in line with Scheme of Delegation.

Proactively develops own management practice and leadership awareness.

Willing to try new things accepts responsibility and learns from own mistakes.

Remains positive and engages with change and service improvement. Remains openminded to new ideas.

To be open and honest.

Additional Information:

Fully qualified Accountant CIPFA ACA ACCA CIMA or equivalent experience.

Hybrid role 12 days/week from the office.

Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, including attending evening meetings as required. Experience as a finance professional in a large and complex public sector organisation and an understanding of the annual financial cycle and regime within local authorities. A good understanding of statutory and regulatory financial framework for local government. Experience of building partnerships and working effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders. Evidence of developing financial strategies and project work in an operational finance setting and across service boundaries. Experience of successful management of significant budgets in a comparable public sector organisation. Experience of working across the full range of the accountancy function. Experience in a management role in a multi-disciplinary organisation. Knowledge of accounting principles and practices necessary to provide financial control and direction. Strong analytical and technical skills and the ability to clearly present financial information in a manner appropriate to the recipients of the information. Knowledge and understanding of the Council s core objectives, and an understanding of the legislative frameworks and key issues relevant to local government financial management generally. Ability to extract and manipulate relevant financial data from the core financial information systems with advanced Microsoft Office skills. Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate with Members and senior management. Ability to provide constructive challenge and to exert influence. Advanced technical financial skills such as capital investment appraisal, options appraisal, financial modelling, benchmarking, and appropriate financial inputs into business cases. Ability to use professional judgement effectively in the management of the financial affairs of the Directorate with the minimum level of recourse to more senior staff. A sound understanding of the political environment and the role of elected members An understanding of the specific financial and business context facing the service Directorate and the relevant legislative requirements and context. Ability to contribute effectively in a large complex organisation to plans for transformational change and improvement. Putting Our Residents First'. Promotes excellent customer service. Encourages diversity of thought and opinion. Ensures that everyone feels included. Acts as an ambassador for the London Borough of Hillingdon in all contacts with residents and customers. Displays personal commitment to team. Clarifies roles and responsibilities. Proactively supports staff health and wellbeing. Understands the process of change and supports others through the change cycle providing a safe environment for people to discuss concerns and the impact of change. Promotes the use of resident feedback and data to improve team service delivery and customer satisfaction. Builds effective networks with colleagues and promotes cross-functional working within teams. Encourages other to grow. Provides learning and development opportunities for others. Uses resident and customer feedback & intelligence to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction. Sets team objectives, supports, monitors and appraises performance standards using agreed performance and productivity systems. Stays focused and meets deadlines. Does not procrastinate when addressing poor performance. Effectively manages allocated budget using appropriate financial tools. Ensures budget monitoring and forecasting is completed within budgetary cycles. Identifies opportunities for continuous service improvement. Ability to make processes both more effective and efficient. Convinces others to adopt improved processes. Solution focused, willing to try new things, admits and learns from own mistakes. Understands Local Government. Displays understanding of local democracy and political decision-making processes. Applies decision-making in line with Scheme of Delegation. Proactively develops own management practice and leadership awareness. Willing to try new things, accepts responsibility and learns from own mistakes. Remains positive and engages with change and service improvement. Remains open-minded to new ideas. To be open and honest.

Education

Fully qualified Accountant - CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent experience.