Heads of Financial Management Adults and Housing

Thurrock Council has faced significant challenges in recent years, in terms of  the council’s financial position as well as the pandemic challenge faced by every local authority.
This is a very exciting time to join Thurrock as we make changes to improve the way the council is managed, achieve financial sustainability and make sure that we are a council that is fit for the future.
Understanding and managing our finances is key to the changes we are making, and the successful candidates will have an important role in helping us as we shape the future of the council. We are committed to bringing transformative change to both the organisation and the wider borough.
We are ambitious in our aspirations for the future council and our change in operating model sits at the heart of our ability to transform the lives of residents.
We are driving towards a Council that is focused on ensuring residents and communities have access to affordable and responsive services.
As Head of Financial Management, you will be supporting the Chief Financial  Officer and Section 151 Officer to provide budget management, planning and reporting support to directorates, meet statutory and best practice financial requirements, and promote the Council’s corporate competencies and values.
We are looking to appoint two Heads of Financial Management across the following services:
Adults and Housing
Key responsibilities include:

• To lead, manage and be accountable for the provision of the Financial Management Service ensuring that it continually meets the expectations and requirements of the business. 
• To develop and implement strategies, policies and work practices to support an efficient and effective service that complies with corporate priorities, legal requirements and commercial aspirations.
• As a member of the council’s senior 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.
• Lead on developing complex financial projects with service departments. Negotiate with a wide variety of external contractors, partners, government  departments and suppliers, investment banks and brokers and other organisations’ financial advisers as required.
• Lead on the closure of accounts for the relevant service, ensure that income and expenditure accounts are accurate, all balance sheet items are reconciled and all holding accounts cleared on a regular and timely basis.
• To deputise for the CFO / Assistant Director as required.

To be suitable for the role you need to be a qualified accountant (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent) and have significant proven experience of providing strategic direction and leadership in a local authority finance role. You will be able to evidence 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 challenges monitoring.
For more information about the role please visit our dedicated microsite, Home | Thurrock (allenlanerecruitment.wixsite.com), or for a confidential discussion contact Jack Murphy at Allen Lane – jackmurphy@allenlane.co.uk or 07921 335 786.

To apply, please submit your CV (maximum 4 pages) along with a Supporting Statement (maximum 3 pages) stating why you are interested in applying, what you can bring to this role and highlighting your relevant experience and suitability.
The closing date is Sunday 7 th July 2024 at 11:59 pm.