Head of Strategy (Treasury Pensions)

£65,764pa - £76,152 per annum
(inclusive of Bexley Choices supplement)

Main purpose of the job:

The post-holder’s primary activity is to lead and manage the development of the Council’s financial strategy, capital strategy, medium term financial plan and the budget setting process (revenue and capital)
Lead and manage the outsourced Treasury operation
Lead and manage the outsourced accounting for the Pension Fund
The post is focused on delivering the specialist professional business services required. It is desirable that the post holder will have a body of theoretical and practical knowledge commensurate with full-qualification of a professional accounting body.
Support the council’s leadership at all levels and develop a strategic and workable response to the financial challenges the council faces. The post holder will have a body of theoretical and practical knowledge commensurate with a fully qualified accountant.
To lead on the development of Treasury and Pension strategies
To manage the outsourced contract of work and the effectiveness of the pension scheme function and to review, policies and service provision for the pension scheme.
To create effective relationships with committees, actuaries, advisers and managers and to deliver the best investment options in line with risk appetites for the Council.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

To lead the Council’s financial planning function to deliver a comprehensive, high quality, cost effective and timely service.
To prepare reports for officers and Members on all financial planning and budgeting issues up to and including the annual report setting the Council Tax. To ensure that all relevant issues are reflected in financial plans and budgets.
To ensure capital and revenue planning are fully integrated
To be the lead interface with external bodies such as London Councils
To oversee the management of the pension committee and local pension board agendas to ensure committee/board members receive sufficient information on all aspects of the pension schemes activities to enable them to discharge all of their responsibilities effectively;
To oversee the delivery of the pension schemes investment strategies, funding strategies and regulatory compliance;
To work effectively with committees, boards, advisors, actuaries, external bodies and colleagues;
To explore opportunities to blend strategies involving treasury and pension scheme investments;
To ensure that all pension schemes investment/financial activity is accounted/budgeted for and reported correctly/timely and that necessary policy, procedures, legislative and other requirements are adhered to;
To report on the pension schemes performance;
To ensure the pension scheme investments comply with the statutory requirements e.g. LGPS (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2016 and subsequent updates;
To make a major contribution to the risk management of the pension schemes.
To oversee the management of relationships with the schemes investment managers and custodians;
To lead the process for the triennial actuarial valuations and annual IAS19/FRS17 reports with the pension fund actuaries;
To lead on the selection processes for fund managers, advisors and other externalised services;
To liaise with treasury advisors, brokers and financial institutions in order to make informed cash management decisions.
Lead on contract management with the Councils bankers, Treasury advisors and other financial institutions required to deliver the Treasury strategies
Attendance at evening meetings will be required;

Resources:

Job Activities:

Example outcomes or objectives that this role will deliver:

Medium Term Financial Strategy
Capital Strategy
Report to CLT on the outcome and implications of external funding including the Local Government Financial Settlement.
Completed Budget and Capital Programme which take account of cost drivers and provide a sound basis for managers to monitor their own budgets
Council Tax and NNDR reporting
Corporate Budget monitoring reports to CLT delivered in accordance with agreed timescales
Pension Fund Annual reports
Agreed actuarial reviews with affordable outcomes
Investments which maximise returns subject to acceptable security
Borrowing undertaken at favourable interest rates
Treasury management reporting and analysis including prudential code requirements

Person Specification

Key: essential (E), desirable (D), interview (I), application form (A)

Education & Formal Training

Full member of CCAB or equivalent accountancy body (E, A)
Post qualification experience (E, A)
Participation in formal Continuing Professional Development (CPD). (E, A)

Relevant Technical Experience & Knowledge

Knowledge of Local Government finance framework, including S151, other statutory requirements and code of practice and the key influences on the strategic finances of the authority (E, A, I)
Senior management experience (E, A, I)
Knowledge of the major issues facing local government, understanding of the national policy context, requirements and future direction for local authorities (E, A, I)
Excellent interpersonal and communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences both horizontally and vertically, financial and non-financial, throughout the organisation (E, A, I)
Evidence of successful resources management in a multi-disciplinary environment, as well as a successful track record in managing large budgets, business planning, quality and performance management including formulating budgets and financial models, resolution of conflicting priorities, applying rigorous planning challenge and appropriate control procedures (E, A, I)
Sound knowledge of accounting principles and standards (D, A, I)
Knowledge of Pension Fund accounting (D, A, I)
Experience of managing and developing Pensions Fund strategies within a local government setting (D, A, I)
Experience of borrowing and placing investments (D, A, I)
Extensive functional and technical expertise in the areas of corporate finance, budget setting and financial planning in local government (E, A, I)
Experience of attending Member Committees and/or other corporate/board meetings (E, A, I)
Delivery of significant change programmes (E, A, I)
Knowledge of financial and money markets and investment management experience in the public, private or voluntary sector. (E, A, I)
Experience of financial appraisals, modelling techniques, development of business cases (E, A, I)
Management of projects involving innovation and the management of change (D, A, I)
Proactive involvement in major transformation projects (E, A, I)
Ability to analyse, interpret, understand and disseminate complex and detailed technical information in a professional and easy to understand way to members, non-financial managers, senior offices and external organisations (E, A, I)
Ability to work effectively in a political environment and establish positive relationships with councillors, senior managers, staff, external partners and interest groups in a way that establishes confidence, credibility and trust (E, A, I)
Managerial experience with a track record of high performing teams. Lead and effectively motivate staff by providing coaching, mentoring, training professional development opportunities and appropriate performance management (E, A, I)
Strong influencing and negotiation tools and techniques to achieve positive outcomes for the Council (E, A, I)

Skills & Abilities

Ability to work effectively in a political environment and establish positive relationships with councillors, senior managers, staff, external partners and interest groups in a way that establishes confidence, credibility and trust (E, A, I)
Managerial experience with a track record of high performing teams. Lead and effectively motivate staff by providing coaching, mentoring, training professional development opportunities and appropriate performance management (E, A, I)
Strong influencing and negotiation tools and techniques to achieve positive outcomes for the Council (E, A, I)
Ability to fully utilise standard Microsoft Office products (E, A, I)

Other Additional Requirements

To deliver the service effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the post at the appropriate grade.
Work in an agile way in line with a paperless and flexible work environment.
Commitment to maintain professional and ethical standards.

Applicants will be assessed against these criteria and the following high performance indicators throughout the recruitment process.

High Performance Indicators

Innovation

Behaviours for staff:

I respond flexibly and adapt to changing demands
I am prepared to take managed risks to achieve better outcomes
I ask ‘What if…? to develop fresh thinking and innovative approaches to generate and implement solutions to improve performance and challenge the status quo

Behaviours for managers:

routinely look for innovative and cost-effective ways to improve performance and customer service
I champion change and deal successfully with ambiguity, enabling people to see positive and exciting possibilities for the future
I take calculated risks based on available evidence and my professional judgement to learn and try new things

Leadership

Behaviours for staff:

I demonstrate a clear sense of purpose and direction, in line with organisational objectives
I am willing to take difficult decisions
My personal actions promote a positive image of Bexley

Behaviours for managers:

I take responsibility for my service and for making things happen to make a difference to my service users
I create an environment where staff can thrive and show I value and trust staff, give praise and recognise good work
I inspire, lead and encourage staff to move forward

Collaboration

Behaviours for staff:

show respect for others and value contributions from internal and external partners and customers
I recognise the right solution, regardless of who initiated it
I seek out and work with partners who can help me achieve the outcomes and objectives I need to deliver

Behaviours for managers:

I encourage the feeling that the team is a collective unit with shared goals
I engage with service partners and other areas of the Bexley organisation to understand the demands on others and seek solutions as One Council
I network internally and externally

Listening and Responding

Behaviours for staff:

I acknowledge other people’s viewpoints and work with them to find a win-win solution
I prepare and present information anticipating questions and problems
I adapt my style to the audience and their needs, using the most appropriate communication channels

Behaviours for managers:

I seek regular service user feedback and review customer data to shape service improvements
I ask staff for ideas on how to improve our service and how I can improve as a manager, listen to them and act on them
I empower staff to make decisions and changes to improve value for money, customer service and productivity

Open and Accessible

Behaviours for staff:

I see issues from the customer / user perspective
I monitor customer feedback and level of satisfaction with the service they receive, and use this to improve and pre-empt customer needs
I seek to build and maintain positive relationships with customers and partners

Behaviours for managers:

I am accessible to my service users, customers, staff and Members
I communicate and share a clear vision for the bigger picture as well as specific service areas
I outline what is expected of individuals and their contribution to the whole, and am consistent in my expectations

Impact

Behaviours for staff:

I prioritise my activities and resources to focus on those which have the most impact for residents
I take responsibility for making things happen and achieving my objectives
I make decisions and clear recommendations based on my professional opinion and experience, informed by a range of information and evidence

Behaviours for managers:

I design services that provide value for money and deliver our outcomes, informed by evidence
I produce, prioritise and adapt plans to meet changing requirements
I set interim goals to achieve notable wins on the way to larger objectives
I deal with poor performance

Apply today