Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Finance Director/Consultant for our client, based in Bedford. This role is a contract position with an initial contract of 3 months, with the possibility to extend, This is for someone who can work 3/4 days per week. Occasional office attendance.

The successful post holder CCAB qualified (preferably CIPFA)

Your role will be to deliver an effective, proactive approach to finance function incorporating financial planning, financial control, the organisations capital program and financial reporting thereby ensuring the financial resilience of the organisation as well as being responsible for managing the organisations Local Taxation, Revenues and Benefits functions

Your role is to be supportive across the corporate leadership team, ensuring that there is suitable political engagement and that you work with all relevant portfolio holders to provide clear and consistent guidance.

Duties and Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Leadership and strategic management of a range of services and corporate teams. This includes overall deployment of resources, health and safety and full compliance with all appropriate legislation and statutory obligations. Oversee and ensure that all services/functions are delivered within and to budget, and that effective, proactive medium term financial planning is in place to increase impact, reduce net costs and achieve outcomes to the overall Council and Community.

• Support the development of individuals and teams to develop career pathways to ensure a talent pipeline for the council

Continuously horizon scan to identify opportunities to improve service delivery, develop new income streams and convert new opportunities, maximise partnerships and access external funding as well as delivering efficiency savings

Work to ensure services are integrated and easily accessible to all customers promoting clear service standards

• Input financial expertise to support service decision making across the organisation.

• Shape, anticipate, guide and implement changes within the service area in response to the Government agenda.

• Lead on the Council's Treasury Management Strategy and operations. Provide advice to Members and the Leadership Team on investment and borrowing options, ensuring financial risks are fully understood.

• Management of local taxation and business rate functions through a multi-channel collection hub in accordance with statutory requirements with a focus on customer service.

Management of the Benefit function including Housing Benefit payments, subsidy Claims and Council Tax Support Scheme through the Assessment Hub in accordance with statutory requirements.

MAIN SPECIFIC ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Work with the Executive Director of Resources and as a member of the organisations Corporate Management Team to develop, deliver and monitor the Council's corporate strategies, objectives and priorities relating to finance across the council.
• Act as the Council's designated Service Director to fulfil the statutory requirements of the relevant Acts including associated legislation and guidance.
• Ensure there is suitable professional advice provided across all services to support decision making across the Council. You will be responsible for providing effective leadership, high level policy advice and professional guidance to elected Members, senior leadership team, managers to ensure the discharge of all relevant statutory and non-statutory responsibilities.

CCAB qualified (preferably CIPFA)

Demonstrate experience of budget planning and management, financial reporting and monitoring along with providing clear technical guidance to a range of stakeholders.

Ability to analyse and interpret complex financial data and legislation

Significant experience of operating at a senior management level with evidence of driving solution based, responsive and customer focused services for residents and communities.

Strong understanding of different services and delivery models applicable to the role

Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) with a proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and customers

Politically astute and sensitive with an ability to make progress in complex policy areas.