Head of Business Partnering

2 Month Contract With A Local Authority

To lead and develop a high-performing team of finance professionals delivering a comprehensive Financial Management and Business Partnering service to Corporate and Operational Directors management teams and elected members.

The role will support the Councils financial sustainability by providing clear professional financial advice robust challenge and strategic insight ensuring that decision-making is transparent commercially sound and aligned with both short- and long-term financial planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead motivate and develop a team of finance business partners to deliver high-quality financial support across the Council.
  
• Act as the principal strategic finance advisor to Corporate Directors Operational Directors and Cabinet Members.
  
• Play a key leadership role in the Councils budget setting process providing challenge insight and options for cost reduction and performance improvement.
  
• Support the delivery of the Councils Corporate Plan and transformation agenda through strong financial leadership
  
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders acting as a key point of contact for strategic financial matters.
  
• Provide real-time financial support insight and analysis to inform operational and strategic decision-making.
  
• Deliver expert advice on complex sensitive and often contentious financial issues.
  
• Ensure financial management is embedded across services and adds measurable value.
  
• Deliver high-quality financial analysis linking financial performance to business strategies and outcomes.
  
• Lead longer-term financial modelling scenario planning and forecasting.
  
• Provide clear accurate and timely financial reporting including monthly and quarterly monitoring and robust outturn forecasts.
  
• Identify financial risks and opportunities ensuring appropriate mitigation strategies are in place.
  
• Ensure all financial activities comply with accounting standards codes of best practice the Council constitution and financial regulations.
  
• Provide strategic advice on policy legislative changes and their financial implications.
  
• Promote transparency and accountability in financial decision-making.
  
• Support the financial delivery of complex strategic initiatives and transformation programmes.
  
• Drive productivity efficiency improvements and cost reduction plans across the Council.
  
• Develop and implement effective commercial and financial procedures to achieve operational targets
  
• Improve the quality impact and accessibility of financial advice and reporting.
  
• Deliver training programmes to enhance financial awareness and capability across directorates.
  
• Promote a culture of self-service financial insight and data-driven decision-making.
  
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement collaboration and innovation within the finance function.
  
• Improved financial sustainability and resilience of the Council
  
• High-quality financial advice influencing strategic decisions
  
• Strong financial governance and compliance
  
• Effective delivery of savings and transformation programmes
  
• Enhanced financial capability across services
  

Requirements

• Qualified accountant (e.g. ACA ACCA CIMA CIPFA)
  
• Significant senior finance leadership experience ideally within the public sector
  
• Proven experience of business partnering with senior stakeholders
  
• Strong financial planning modelling and analytical skills
  
• Experience of leading budget-setting processes and delivering savings
  
• Excellent communication influencing and stakeholder management skills
  
• Experience in local government finance
  
• Knowledge of public sector financial frameworks and regulations
  
• Experience supporting transformation and change programmes
  

• Bi-Weekly Payments
  
• Hybrid Working (3 days WFH)
  
• 36 Hours Per Week
  
• Location: 255 - 259 High Road Ilford IG1 1NN