Job Title: Assistant Finance Manager

Location: Newham, Hybrid working (2 days office / 3 days remote)

Hourly rate £28.91 PAYE / £37.84 Umbrella per hour

Contract Length: 2-month contract (possibility of extension)

Working Pattern: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 36 hours

ASAP Start

About the Role

We are looking for an ambitious and skilled Assistant Finance Manager to join a high-performing and supportive finance team in Newham. This is a key leadership role that combines professional financial expertise with people management, strategic insight and a strong customer focus.

Reporting to a Finance Manager, you will play a vital role in delivering high-quality financial services to senior stakeholders, supporting sound financial stewardship and helping the Council meet its medium- and long-term financial challenges. You will lead operational finance activity, manage and develop a team of finance professionals, and contribute to transformation, innovation and continuous improvement across the service.

Key Responsibilities

As Assistant Finance Manager, you will:

• Support Finance Managers in overseeing departmental budgets, revenue monitoring and delivery of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).
• Provide high-quality professional financial, accounting and strategic advice to senior officers, budget holders and stakeholders.
• Lead and manage a team of finance staff (up to 22 FTE in total, including direct and matrix management), fostering a high-performance, customer-focused culture.
• Identify and manage financial risks and opportunities, providing clear options and mitigation strategies.
• Support financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, including development of financial models and analytics.
• Prepare and present clear, high-quality reports to support informed decision-making.
• Contribute to capital programme financial management, investment appraisal and funding strategies.
• Support year-end closure of accounts, statutory reporting and external audit processes.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, CIPFA codes of practice, Treasury guidance and relevant legislation.
• Champion innovation, digital working and service improvement across the finance function.
• Play an active role in service transformation, change programmes and alternative service delivery models.

About You

We are looking for a motivated, resilient and collaborative finance professional who thrives in a complex public sector environment.

You will have:

• A full CCAB qualification (preferably CIPFA) or be part qualified (AAT equivalent) with relevant sector experience.
• Strong knowledge and experience of public sector finance, including technical accounting, financial reporting and budget management.
• Experience of advising and influencing senior stakeholders in pressurised environments.
• The ability to analyse complex financial data and present it clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing teams, including coaching and performance management.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Well-developed IT skills, including MS Office and financial systems, with experience of data visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau) an advantage.
• A commitment to customer service, value for money, equality, diversity and ethical working.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work at the heart of a forward-thinking local authority.
• A vital role in shaping financial strategy and supporting services that make a real difference to residents.
• A supportive leadership culture with a strong focus on development and continuous improvement.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• A diverse, inclusive and values-driven workplace.

Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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