Chief Officer - Finance and Performance

Triumph Consultants Ltd; Rugby; Hybrid; GBP 103,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Triumph Consultants Ltd seeks an experienced Interim Section 151 Officer for a Midlands-based local government client, based in Rugby. This senior role requires governance oversight, budget planning and financial sustainability, with responsibility to Members, the Chief Executive and senior officers.

You will lead the finance function, develop the team, manage external audit relationships, and provide clear, measured advice in a politically sensitive environment.

Qualifications

• Requires more than technical financial expertise; emotionally intelligent and people-focused leadership.
• Ability to provide measured, authoritative financial advice to Members and senior officers.
• Proven experience in leading a local government finance function.

Responsibilities

• Fulfil statutory responsibilities of the Section 151 Officer and ensure robust financial governance.
• Provide strategic financial advice to elected Members, the Chief Executive and senior leadership.
• Lead budget setting, medium-term financial planning, treasury management and year-end processes.
• Oversee financial controls, risk management, assurance, and external audit relationships.
• Lead and develop the finance function with clear objectives and performance management.
• Build relationships with Members and senior stakeholders and communicate complex financial matters clearly.
• Support corporate transformation, organisational development and service improvement initiatives.
• Promote financial sustainability and sound decision-making across the Council.
• Experience as a Section 151 Officer within a local authority and CCAB qualification.

Skills

Section 151 Officer experience

Local government finance leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic financial planning

Governance & compliance

Education

CCAB-qualified accountant (CIPFA/ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Job description

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.

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.

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.