Job Type: Interim
Location: Warrington, hybrid working with 2 days on site
Rate: £700–£800 per day Umbrella
Contract Length: Up to 6 months, subject to performance.
Working Pattern: 40 hours per week, with occasional evening and weekend work as required

We are recruiting for an interim Finance Director to support a local authority finance function through a critical period of financial planning, governance and service delivery. This Finance Director position will work closely with the Section 151 leadership team to strengthen financial stewardship, support medium-term sustainability and provide high-level oversight across corporate finance activities. The successful Finance Director will bring strong local government finance experience, political awareness and the credibility to influence senior stakeholders.

Day to day of the role

• Support the Section 151 leadership team in delivering strong financial administration, governance and statutory compliance across the organisation.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Medium Term Financial Strategy, helping to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
• Oversee finance managers and key service areas, ensuring robust strategies, policies and controls are in place.
• Lead on budget monitoring, financial reporting and regulatory returns, providing accurate and timely information to senior leaders and elected members.
• Provide financial advice and guidance to management teams and budget holders across the organisation.
• Support the delivery of annual accounts, audit activity, risk management and responses to internal audit findings.
• Help strengthen financial systems, processes and procedures, including SAP and wider finance improvement activity.
• Work with senior officers, partners and stakeholders to support transformation, value for money and effective risk management.
• Contribute to reports, briefings and presentations for leadership meetings, committees and boards.
• Promote a responsive, high-quality finance service while maintaining compliance with legislation, professional standards and internal regulations.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Full membership of a CCAB body, ideally CIPFA, with significant post-qualification experience.
• Extensive senior finance leadership experience within a large public sector organisation, preferably local government.
• Strong knowledge of local government finance, statutory responsibilities, governance and the wider national policy landscape.
• Proven experience managing significant budgets, corporate financial planning and delivering services within agreed resources.
• Demonstrable success in leading high-performing teams, driving performance and supporting organisational change.
• Strong understanding of financial systems, controls, audit, treasury management and annual accounts.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence senior officers and elected members.
• Strong political awareness, with the credibility to operate effectively in a complex and sensitive environment.
• Experience of partnership working across internal teams, external stakeholders and multidisciplinary settings.
• Degree-level education or a recognised management qualification would be advantageous.