Chief Finance & Assets Officer (Section 151)

New Start; England; Remote; GBP 161,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

West Surrey Council seeks an Executive Director of Finance and Assets (Section 151 Officer) to lead finance, procurement and asset management for a new unitary authority serving Guildford, Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne.

You will provide executive leadership, shape long-term financial strategy, investment choices and resource stewardship, and guide transformation with robust financial evidence to deliver public value.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with credibility and judgement for the statutory Section 151 Officer role.
• Experience in financial strategy, budget stewardship and medium-term planning.
• Experience shaping strategic decisions involving assets, capital, investment or property.
• Commercial judgement across income, procurement, contracts, and third‑party spending.
• Strong understanding of local government finance and governance, or transferable expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead across finance, procurement and assets for the new unitary authority.
• Provide independent advice and challenge in a complex political environment.
• Shape the financial discipline, investment choices and resource stewardship for long-term success.
• Oversee asset management, income optimisation and commercial activity to support services and communities.
• Drive transformation and integration to create a joined-up organisation.

Skills

Professional accountant

Financial strategy

Budget planning

Commercial acumen

Governance

Strategic transformation leadership

Education

Professional accounting qualification (CIPFA/ACCA/ACA)

Job description

West Surrey Council seeks an Executive Director of Finance and Assets (Section 151 Officer) to lead finance, procurement and asset management for a new unitary authority serving Guildford, Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne.

You will provide executive leadership, shape long-term financial strategy, investment choices and resource stewardship, and guide transformation with robust financial evidence to deliver public value.