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Home   /   Roles recruiting   /   Assistant Director: Business Partnering (CWB and Commercial)

Assistant Director:
Business Partnering
(CWB and Commercial)

£77,313 - £94,083 annum

Service area: Finance

Grade: CO4

Reports to: Deputy Director of Finance

Your team: Finance Business Partnering

Number of supervisees: up to 18 (Directly or indirectly)

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Key responsibilities

Strategic Advisory

  • Help shape the direction of the council to ensure delivery of its priorities and value to residents

  • Support development of a strategic vision for the service to enable the council to meet its future challenges, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

  • Lead in the development and implementation of the Council’s financial strategy, fundamentally ensuring sustainability over the medium term

  • Work closely with all senior stakeholders to ensure best use of limited financial resources, providing the strategic financial advice, insight, intelligence and support needed

  • Continually review, update and report on financial risks and opportunities, advising how the risks can be mitigated and the opportunities exploited

  • Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of the finance business plan

  • Proactively identify trends and changes in the operating environment (e.g. legislation, technology, policy, etc.) that could financially impact service delivery; provide advice and collaborate on potential solutions

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Financial Management

  • Draw on an in-depth knowledge of council services and the related financial complexities, to ensure the provision of systems and procedures that enable effective budgetary control; ensure that variations and emerging financial pressures are drawn to the attention of budget managers, with options and plans for their resolution

  • Advise the Director of Finance and Corporate Director of Resources in their S151 role (and act as their advocate) on funding, financial management and accounting requirements

  • Promote a culture which empowers budget holders and supports the delivery of value for money services and knowledge of key cost drivers

  • Prepare and present informative, high quality reports to members and other senior stakeholders that aid in informed service and corporate decision making

  • To develop and manage the financial strategy of the Service Departments and to develop and support new approaches to service delivery

  • Advise on investment and funding strategies including investment risk and performance

  • Ensure members of the team, directors and budget holders receive the financial management training required to be effective in their roles, including awareness of Financial Regulations and financial approval requirements prior to taking decisions

 

Financial Reporting

  • Prepare and present informative, high quality reports to members and other senior stakeholders that aid in informed service and corporate decision making

  • Ensure statutory and other returns are submitted accurately and on a timely basis. Prior to submission ensure senior management sign off and produce an appropriate supporting paper setting out the approach to development of the return

  • Monitor and control the monthly financial reporting process ensuring forecasts are accurately included on the system or promptly escalating relevant issues backed up with appropriate analysis

 

Financial Planning and Budgeting

  • Support the longer-term council-wide financial position and develop financial strategies with senior stakeholders

  • Provide in-depth support for the medium term financial planning process

  • Develop appropriate financial models and analytics to determine financial impact of future service demands, changes in legislation and other factors affecting resource requirements

  • Instigate, develop and support the attainment of alternative sources of funding that contribute towards identified funding gaps

  • Maximise the income generated through government grants, to maximize the financial resources available to each of the service areas within the Council

 

Customer Focus

  • Act as a key financial advisor and service delivery partner, providing strategic support and constructive challenge through superior negotiation and influencing skills

  • To lead, direct and manage the financial support provided to the relevant service departments within the Council, to ensure strong financial support for the service areas, helping them maximize the quality of the service they provide

  • Contribute to the delivery of a high performing, customer focused finance service that is proactive and creative, looking for ways to shape and influence service decisions and taking joint responsibility for the outcomes achieved

  • Actively engage, communicate and influence within the council, across partners and with the wider local government community to champion a unified regional and sector approach

  • Foster the development of social value and community-based organisations to reduce demand and help communities more independently support themselves

  • To interpret accounting policy and guidance and to develop these into Council regulation and/or procedures for staff to follow.

 

Compliance

  • Ensure that all activities within the service comply with the council’s constitution, financial regulations, health and safety and safeguarding responsibilities and that effective systems operate within the service to manage performance and risk.

  • Interpret and implement legislative and regulatory requirements relating to the CIPFA codes of practice, Treasury Guidance, and relevant financial legislation

  • Lead on the closure of accounts for your team, support the external audit opinion and deliver appropriate financial returns

  • Deliver an effective system of financial controls across the organisation

 

Leadership and Management

  • Provide leadership that encourages staff to recognise their contribution to the strategic objectives the council has set

  • Foster a high-performance culture including carrying out internal service reviews to improve value for money and efficiency

  • Lead and effectively motivate staff by providing coaching, mentoring, training, professional development opportunities, and appropriate performance management

  • Build a credible and responsive team who are respected for their depth of knowledge, expertise and customer focus

  • Deputise for the Director or Finance or Assistant Director of Finance as required

  • Champions a culture that values equality and diversity, and ensures these are built into the delivery of services

  • Promotes a culture that values continuous personal and professional development

  • Demonstrates a high level of personal drive and energy that sets an example to others

  • Fosters a dynamic, achievement orientated culture

  • Work collaboratively with peers and stakeholders

  • Takes responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

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Leadership

As a member of the council’s management team, to contribute proactively to the collective leadership for the council, working collaboratively with Members, services across the council, partners and stakeholders to deliver the council’s objectives and priorities.

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To drive positive cultural change, embodying and promoting the values and behaviours of the council and empowering staff to reach their full potential. Ensure that the performance and development framework is effective for all staff.

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To lead on and ensure the effective implementation of corporate initiatives and transformation programmes that cut across the whole or part of the council’s activities.

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Resources and Financial management

Ensure effective Financial Management, cost controls and income maximisation in an ever changing environment, fluctuating demands and priorities. Ensure resources are well managed and effectively deployed to the best possible effects assuring value for money in all activities.

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Compliance

Ensure legal, regulatory and policy compliance under GDPR, Health and Safety and in area of your specialism identifying opportunities and risks and escalating where appropriate.

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Budget responsibilities

Budget Responsibilities: Indirect budget management (£816 million).

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Work style

Flexible/Office-Based

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Person specification

Key

Essential (E), Application (A), Interview (I), Test (T)​

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Qualifications (E)

  • Full member of CCAB, (preferably CIPFA), CFA, or ACT with significant post qualification experience (A)

  • Evidence of significant relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) (I)

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Experience (E, A, I, T)

  • Significant strategic management experience, including translating organisational drivers into strategic objectives, longer term plans, new ways of working and specific outcomes, for a service in a large public sector organisation (preferably local government)

  • Experience in persuading a wide range of stakeholders to work together, encouraging an organisational focus on the needs of the community

  • Experience advising on and preparing business cases for investment decisions including the ability to apply options appraisals and evaluation techniques

  • Proven ability to drive through and deliver effective performance management within own organisation

  • 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

  • Demonstrable success in delivering service improvements through driving organisational change and robust performance management

  • Ability to devise, lead and manage change programmes and significant corporate projects within a large organisation and manage specific projects across service and professional boundaries to deliver measurable service improvements.

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Skills (E, A, I, T)

  • 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

  • Able to lead, inspire and motivate a range of employees and generate a positive working environment

  • Ability to think critically, apply innovative and creative thinking to address complex service challenges

  • Delivers professional and persuasive presentations to large internal and external groups

  • 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.

  • Well-developed IT skills (MS Office suite, financial systems, data Visualisation tools e.g., Power BI)

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Special requirements of the post (E, A, I, T)

  • This post is subject to the council’s policy on pecuniary and personal interest

  • This post is designated as politically restricted

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Our accreditations

Our accreditations include: the Healthy Workplace award, Timewise, London Living Wage Employer, Disability Confident Committed, The Mayor’s Good Work Standard, Stonewall Diversity Champion, and Time to Change.

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