Job type
TemporaryLocation
MidlandsWorking Pattern
Flexible Working,Full-timeSpecialism
Public Service AccountingIndustry
Government & Public ServicesPay
Competitive
Strategic Finance Partner, Growth, City , Development
Your new company
Local Government – Midlands
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Local Government – Midlands
Strategic Finance Business Partner – Growth, City Development & HRA
| Midlands | Local Government
Role Purpose
The Strategic Finance Business Partner will provide expert financial leadership, insight and challenge across the Growth, City Development and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) portfolios. The role is responsible for delivering high‑quality financial management, supporting strategic decision‑making, and ensuring robust governance across complex service areas. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, shaping financial strategy, leading budget development, and driving performance improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Business Partnering
- Act as the lead financial advisor for Growth, City Development and HRA services, providing strategic insight to Directors, Heads of Service and operational leads.
- Lead and facilitate monthly budget monitoring, ensuring accurate reporting to:
- Directorate Leadership Team (DLT)
- Departmental Management Team (DMT)
- Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Corporate Director
- Portfolio Holders and the Leader of the Council
- Drive robust financial challenge, including participation in:
- Budget Revenue Overview Group presentations
Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Strategy
- Lead the production, scrutiny and consolidation of annual revenue and capital budgets for Growth, City Development and HRA.
- Undertake detailed financial modelling to support budget setting, investment decisions, and long‑term financial planning.
- Provide expert guidance on HRA business planning, capital sustainability, rent policy, and statutory requirements.
Financial Governance & Reporting
- Prepare and present regular financial reports, performance updates and risk assessments for senior officers, Cabinet and Member committees.
- Lead the 23/24 outturn close down, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely submission.
- Ensure strong financial controls, adherence to CIPFA and public sector accounting standards, and compliance with statutory reporting obligations.
Business Case Evaluation & Advisory
- Review, evaluate and quality assure business cases, Cabinet reports and capital investment proposals.
- Provide clear, evidence‑based recommendations to Cabinet, Directors and senior management.
- Offer strategic challenges regarding the financial viability, ROI, risk, and affordability of major programmes.
Team Leadership & Development
- Manage, coach and develop a team of 12 finance staff, ensuring high performance, professional growth and continuous improvement.
- Foster a positive, collaborative and customer‑focused finance culture across the service.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Extensive experience in public sector finance, ideally with exposure to multiple local authorities.
- Strong understanding of local government funding, HRA legislation, capital financing, and regeneration/ development programmes.
- Proven ability to lead complex budget cycles, financial strategy, and service‑wide financial planning.
- Highly confident in financial modelling, scenario planning and advanced Excel use.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage, influence and challenge senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrable experience presenting to senior leadership, elected Members, committees and Boards.
- Experience in leading and developing finance teams.
Desirable
- CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent professional qualification.
- Experience supporting transformation, growth or regeneration portfolios.
- Understanding of commercial and investment appraisal methodologies.
Personal Attributes
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate financial information into actionable insight.
- Proactive, solutions‑focused and resilient under pressure.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship‑building skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high‑quality outputs to tight deadlines.
- Committed to public service values, transparency and high standards of financial governance!
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
