Job Description

role

The Role

Job Description

Person Specification

Department Structure

Job Description

Job Title

Assistant Director (Finance & Resources)

Reports to

Corporate Director (Finance & Operations)

Salary

Up to £80,906 per annum (including LFA and car allowance)

Team

Finance & Resources

Directorate

Finance & Operations

To lead service development and delivery for a range of Council Services covering: Financial Services; Commercial Assets & Property Develolpment; Revenues & Benefits; and, Procurement & Commissioning, and to ensure that these services are delivered within the Council’s framework of quality standards, performance targets, budgetary control, audit and legislative requirements. The post holder will act as Deputy S151 Officer, working closely with the Corporate Director (Finance & Operations) in his capacity as S151 Officer.

Working in collaboration with other Assistant Directors, Corporate Directors, and the Chief Executive, the postholder will play an active role in the Corporate Management Team, working with senior Members to develop and deliver the Council’s corporate vision, values and priorities.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Responsible for ensuring that the Council’s Section 151 officer is supported by working across the breadth of the organisation to support the development and implementation of strategies to deliver the Council’s strategic priorities, within the overall resource envelope and in the public interest.

To be actively involved in and able to influence all material business decisions to ensure that the immediate and longer-term implications, opportunities and risks are fully considered and aligned with the organisation’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Lead the promotion and delivery of good financial management across the whole organisation to ensure that public money is safeguarded and used in accordance with value for money principles.

Responsible for ensuring the Medium Term Financial Strategy, the Corporate Asset Management Plan, the Housing Business Plan and other associated strategies are prepared and reviewed, and aligned with the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Responsible for ensuring that the Council’s land and property portfolio is effectively managed to optimise the balance between income generation and community service.

Responsible for ensuring the Closure of Accounts, Budget Cycle and production of compliant Financial Statements are efficiently and effectively project managed within agreed timescales,

To keep up-to-date with legislative requirements for the group of services within area of responsibility; and ensure that appropriate plans are prepared and implemented to comply with legislative requirements.

Manage all allocated services and associated partnerships to ensure effective and competitive service provision that adds value, is appropriately bench-marked and rigorously performance managed, within budget, and in accordance with the Council’s values.

To represent the Council’s interests, as required by the Corporate Director (Finance & Operations), within a range of forums working effectively with representatives from external stakeholder organisations to influence outcomes.

Ensure that effective processes are in place for recruiting, developing, appraising, rewarding and retaining employees, promoting attendance and performance in line with Council policies and values.

To be responsible for the specific tasks identified within the Council’s Scheme of delegation.

Generic Responsibilities

Be part of multi-disciplinary and corporate strategy teams as required.

To be emergency cover for the Council in the event of an incident, including cover of the emergency phone on a rota basis.

Understand the role in context of the wider council, regional, national and political demands and be able to represent the Council and its views to external bodies and other local/central government organisations.

Promote and sustain a positive working partnership with elected Members and support their overview and scrutiny role. Report regularly to Cabinet Members, Scrutiny and Corporate Directors on service and performance related issues, providing advice as required, including preparing and presenting complex, quality and timely reports.

To be positive and challenge inappropriate behaviours and act within Council policies on equalities and diversity, financial issues and customer care.

To have consideration for, and adhere to, the Council’s Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults policies at all times.

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary.

Person Specification

Knowledge

CCAB or CIMA qualified and comprehensive understanding of the statutory, regulatory and financial framework for capital and revenue accounting.

Experience

Relevant management experience and evidence of the drive to lead services to continuously improve customer focus.

Evidence of managing the budget cycle and production of the Financial Statements efficiently aand effectively.

Evidence of effective project management; delivering projects and outcomes within agreed statutory or agreed timescales.

Ability to constructively manage senior managers from a range of services both across the Council and within external stakeholder organisations.

Skills and abilities

Political sensitivity and sophisitication to operate trusted and productive working relationships with elected Members and senior colleagues.

Ability to present complex messages in an understandable way to a range of audiences, including the community.

Ability to translate strategic objectives into focussed projects and delvierables.

Ability to drive innovation in the delivery of services to improve standards and cost effectiveness and implement best practice.

Track record of delivering service improvements and annual performance objectives and targets.

Ability to build effective teams and relationships with a wide range of parties including private sector contractors, and other external agencies within the public and private sectors.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Personal Circumstances

Demonstrate behaviours that comply with the Council’s High Performance Environment

Full driving licence, valid within the UK

Satisfactory standard Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Candidate suitability will be assessed these criteria throughout the recruitment process.

Please click here to download the Job Description/Person Specification.