Chief Officer - Finance and Performance

Job description

About

What's involved with this role:

Role: Chief Officer - Finance and Performance

Ref: RQ1793138

Pay Rate: £645.71 per day PAYE (for the right candidate), with flexible holiday pay

IR35: Inside

Hours: 35-37 hours per week

Length of Contract: 6 months with potential for extension

Location: Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2RR

Hybrid Arrangements: 2-3 days on site

We are seeking an experienced local government finance leader to take on the role of Interim Section 151 Officer for a Midlands-based client. This is a senior leadership appointment requiring strong statutory financial expertise alongside proven people management, political awareness and the ability to provide clear, confident leadership during a challenging period.

You will take responsibility for the financial governance, budgetary management and financial sustainability, providing authoritative advice to Members, the Chief Executive and senior officers. You will also lead, motivate and develop the finance team, ensuring stability, accountability and effective service delivery.

The Ideal Candidate

This appointment requires more than technical financial expertise. The Client is seeking a credible, emotionally intelligent and people-focused leader who can build trust, support and develop the finance team, and provide measured, authoritative advice during a demanding period.

You will bring the confidence to engage effectively with Members, the judgement to navigate complex organisational challenges and the leadership capability to maintain financial integrity while supporting the Client’s wider priorities.

If you are an experienced Section 151 Officer with the strategic expertise and leadership skills to make an immediate impact, we would like to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

Fulfil the statutory responsibilities of the Client’s Section 151 Officer, ensuring robust financial governance and compliance.

Provide strategic financial advice to elected Members, the Chief Executive and senior leadership team.

Lead budget setting, medium-term financial planning, treasury management and year-end processes.

Oversee financial controls, risk management, assurance arrangements and external audit relationships.

Lead and develop the finance function, setting clear objectives and driving performance and continuous improvement.

Build constructive relationships with Members and senior stakeholders, communicating complex financial matters clearly and confidently.

Support corporate transformation, organisational development and service improvement initiatives.

Promote financial sustainability, accountability and sound decision-making across the Council.

Essential Requirements

Previous experience acting as a Section 151 Officer within a local authority.

CCAB-qualified accountant, such as CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.

Significant experience leading and managing a local government finance function.

Strong knowledge of local authority accounting, statutory financial responsibilities and governance.

Experience advising elected Members and senior leaders within a politically sensitive environment.

Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop teams, providing clear direction and effective performance management.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex financial issues to non-financial audiences.

A calm, resilient and approachable leadership style, with the credibility to manage competing priorities and challenging situations.

Please quote the Job Title & Vacancy Reference No. in your application, or we will be unable to match your CV to the role being applied for.

1

Job Ref: RQ1793138

Anticipated Length of Assignment: Unless otherwise stated (we do carry the occasional permanent vacancy) all of our roles are technically temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Please do try to resist contacting us with requests for progress updates.

We really do read every CV sent to us. All applications will be acknowledged by a human, not a robot, provided the job remains live and provided your CV meets the “Essential Requirements” listed.

Please note that we do our level best to take down ads as soon as roles have been filled. We are not in the business of harvesting CVs.

Important: We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary.