My Local Government client is looking to recruit an experienced and dynamic Interim Head of Finance to provide strategic financial leadership and support across the Place Directorate within a forward-thinking local authority.
The Place Directorate typically encompasses services such as Housing, Regeneration, Planning, Economic Development, Highways, Transport, Environment, Waste, Property, and Capital Programmes. This is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring robust financial management, supporting transformation initiatives, and driving value for money across a diverse and complex portfolio.

Working closely with the Senior Management team you will provide high-quality financial advice to support informed decision-making and sustainable service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the finance business partnering function for the Place Directorate.
• Provide strategic financial advice and challenge to senior officers and service leaders.
• Oversee revenue and capital budget setting, monitoring, forecasting, and reporting.
• Support the delivery of a balanced budget and medium-term financial strategy.
• Ensure robust financial governance, controls, and compliance with local government regulations.
• Lead on financial aspects of major capital projects, regeneration programmes, and commercial initiatives.
• Manage and develop a team of finance professionals, ensuring high performance and continuous improvement.
• Support year-end accounts processes and liaise with external auditors where required.
• Contribute to corporate finance priorities and wider organisational objectives.

Ideally you will be a qualified finance professional with a proven track record of operating at a senior level within local government.

• CCAB/CIMA qualified accountant.
• Significant senior finance leadership experience within a local authority setting.
• Strong understanding of local government finance, including revenue and capital funding frameworks.
• Experience supporting Place services such as regeneration, housing, property, environment, highways, transport, or planning.
• Demonstrable experience of budget management in large and complex organisations.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge senior leaders.
• Experience leading organisational change, transformation, and financial improvement programmes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

The role will be for a period of 6 months and you will need to be in the office 2 days a week. The role is being offered Inside IR35 with a day rate of circa -550650 a day.