Director of Finance and Resources

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service; Stone; On-site; GBP 109,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional fire and rescue service is seeking a Director of Finance and Resources to lead financial strategy and governance. This pivotal role involves robust leadership, ensuring compliance with statutory responsibilities, and promoting ethical management. The successful candidate will have extensive experience at a senior level, particularly in public or private sectors. Key responsibilities include overseeing finance, procurement, and payroll, alongside contributing to strategic decision-making. This position offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits including flexible working and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Access to gyms & fitness advisor

Qualifications

• Significant experience at senior level within public or private sector organisations.
• Strong political awareness, ability to work with senior leaders.
• Commitment to the Core Code of Ethics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the effective administration of all financial affairs.
• Provide high-quality financial advice to support decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Ethical leadership

Communication skills

Education

Full membership of a recognised accountancy body

Tools

Financial software

Job description

Overview

Director of Finance and Resources

Location : Fire Service Headquarters, Pirehill, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 0BS

Salary : £108,409

Hours : 37 hours per week (flexible working available)

Contract Type : Permanent

Responsible to : Deputy Chief Fire Officer / Staffordshire Commissioner (S151)

Responsible for : Finance, Payroll, Procurement and Estates

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service is dedicated to keeping Staffordshire safe and serving the community. Roles across the Service, including those in the shared service, support the aim of a safer and more sustainable community through activities such as Home Fire Risk Checks, community marketing, training coordination, and contact centre operations.

For more information about Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service please click the below link.

Role purpose

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking Director of Finance and Resources to join our Principal Management Team. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for shaping and delivering the Service’s financial strategy, ensuring robust governance, and supporting our mission to protect, support and respond to the needs of our communities—making them stronger and safer.

As the Service’s Section 151 Officer, you will lead the effective administration of all financial affairs in accordance with statutory responsibilities set out in the Local Government Acts of 1972 and 1988. You will champion high standards of ethical leadership, equality, diversity and inclusion, and ensure our Core Code of Ethics is embedded across all decision-making.

This role provides a unique opportunity to drive value for money, lead organisational transformation, deliver high-performing finance and estates functions, and influence strategic decision-making across the Service.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Act as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to the development and delivery of organisational strategy and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy.
• Support the CFO and DCFO in the delivery of executive duties.
• Lead a robust annual budgeting process, ensuring financial balance, adequate reserves, and effective savings plans.
• Support and challenge corporate governance arrangements.

Financial Strategy & Assurance

• Provide high-quality, timely and accurate financial advice to support informed decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with CIPFA’s Prudential and Treasury Management Code.
• Oversee insurance arrangements and ensure policies remain appropriate.
• Promote financial literacy across the organisation.
• Lead internal audit arrangements and anti-fraud measures.
• Oversee statutory accounts production and engagement with external auditors.
• Manage cash flows, borrowing, investments, prudential indicators, and treasury management strategies.

Leadership of Finance & Supporting Services

• Provide inspirational leadership to Finance, Payroll, Procurement and Estates teams.
• Maintain and develop asset management and procurement strategies.
• Oversee the administration of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme and payroll functions.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve performance, efficiency and value.

Estates & Infrastructure

• Provide strategic leadership of the Integrated Asset Development Strategy (IADS).
• Ensure effective contract management of PFI1 and PFI2 programmes.
• Maintain high standards of estate management ensuring operational readiness.
• Maximise opportunities for shared estate initiatives with Staffordshire Police and other partners.

Collaboration & Shared Services

• Monitor, review and benchmark shared services arrangements with Staffordshire Police and other organisations.
• Promote collaboration, shared services, and technological innovation to improve efficiency and outcomes.

Person Specification

Essential

• Full membership of a recognised accountancy body listed under Section 113 of the Local Government Act 1988.
• Significant experience operating at senior level within public or private sector organisations.
• Strong political awareness and the ability to work effectively with senior leaders.
• Flexible leadership style with the ability to move from strategy to operational delivery.
• Experience leading non-finance functions and managing broad organisational portfolios.
• Commitment to the Core Code of Ethics, demonstrating ethical leadership and integrity.
• Ability to align corporate objectives with medium-term financial planning.
• Proven ability to provide impartial, professional advice and manage financial risks.
• Strong facilitation, communication and performance-management skills.
• Commitment to high standards of probity, stewardship and governance.
• Awareness of when to seek external specialist advice.

Desirable

• Excellent IT skills.

Why Join Staffordshire Fire and Rescue?

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is ambitious, forward-thinking with a clear vision committed to serving our communities and working with partners to provide the highest level of service and value for money. As part of the Principal Management Team you’ll be a key player in shaping the future, achieving financial resilience and delivering Value for Money.

Benefits offered

• Competitive salary and generous Local Government pension
• Flexible working arrangements
• Learning and development opportunities
• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• The chance to lead during a challenging time for the Authority
• Enhanced Annual Leave Entitlement
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Access to Gyms & Fitness Advisor
• Free Parking at Most Sites
• Enhanced Maternity Package
• Occupational Health
• Well-being Champions
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Eye Tests
• Flexible Working Scheme
• The Firefighter Charity
• Cycle Scheme
• Blue Light Card
• Flamesavers
• Rewards for rescue
• Say So
• Development Programme
• Trade Unions
• Career Breaks
• Physiotherapy
• TRiM
• Employment Network
• Fostering Friendly

How to Apply

If you are an experienced, forward-thinking finance leader with strong strategic skills, a commitment to public service, and the drive to help shape the future of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please provide and upload a concise CV (max 2 pages) and a supporting statement (500 words) detailing your suitability and what you can bring to the Principal Officer team at SFRS.

Please upload your supporting statement in the Cover Letter upload area.

Closing date : 15th December 2025 at 12:00pm Midday

Interview date : 23rd December 2025

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to promoting equality and diversity in the workplace. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Further details of the key tasks, responsibilities can be found within the role profile.

In addition to your salary, you will have access to a range of benefits including :

• Enhanced Annual Leave Entitlement
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Access to Gyms & Fitness Advisor
• Free Parking at Most Sites
• Enhanced Maternity Package
• Occupational Health
• Well-being Champions
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Eye Tests
• Flexible Working Scheme
• The Firefighter Charity
• Cycle Scheme
• Blue Light Card
• Flamesavers
• Rewards for rescue
• Say So
• Development Programme
• Trade Unions
• Career Breaks
• Physiotherapy
• TRiM
• Employment Network
• Fostering Friendly

Safeguarding

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

Please note if you are successful at interview and commence pre-employment checks this will include DBS, please see what this involves and the process via the below link.

Positive Action

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is fully supportive of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and strives to employ a workforce that represents the community we serve.

Our vacancies are open to everyone and all appointments are made based on merit. We encourage and welcome applications from all underrepresented groups which include: Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, female, people who have a disability, those who are neurodivergent and persons of the LGBTQ+ community.

We use positive action to encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups through targeted step-In support and advice sessions. If you have the skills, experience and values, that here in Staffordshire Fire and Rescue we pride ourselves on, then we would welcome you to apply.

For more information on Positive Action please email the team.

For any Recruitment queries please email.