Director of Finance / S151 Officer and Resources

Page Executive; Shrewsbury; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

A public service organization in Shrewsbury is seeking a finance manager to oversee the management of financial resources, budgeting, and strategic planning. The role involves advising on financial strategies and ensuring compliance with audit requirements, with substantial leadership experience required. Join us to make a difference in Shropshire's communities.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing a diverse portfolio of services; finance and resources.
• Substantial practical experience of financial management.
• Substantial management experience at a senior level.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that the Authority's finances are effectively managed and monitored.
• Advise on financial planning, strategy, and policies.
• Lead and manage the Finance and Resources departments.

Skills

Financial management

Budget management

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Risk management

Job description

About Our Client

Shropshire is England's largest inland county occupying approximately 1,350 square miles and at Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service, we provide excellent services to our communities. Shropshire is rich with history, having in excess of 500 listed buildings and we are one the UK's most rural counties. With a relatively low population spread across a large area, this brings a unique set of challenges for a service of our type.

Our most significant asset are our people, and we are looking for an exceptional individual, with the skills, talent and commitment to lead and work alongside our outstanding workforce, a supportive Fire Authority, and partners to lead on management of our 'Resources', namely property, facilities management, vehicle fleet management services and technical services.

By joining the Service, you will be making a positive difference to the lives of all those who visit, reside, work or travel within Shropshire.

Job Description

• Ensure that the Authority's finances are effectively managed and monitored, and advise the Authority on financial planning, strategy and policies.
• Advise the Authority and its committees on and prepare the annual budget estimates of income and expenditure for revenue services, the capital budget programme and annual precept requirements.
• Monitor and manage the Authority's budget expenditure and income, and to provide the Authority and committees with a regular statement covering the headings within the approved annual revenue and capital budgets.
• Ensure that all management reports are reported to the Authority, and the statutory internal and external audit requirements are undertaken and completed each year, and any consequential action taken.
• Ensure that the issuing and reporting on invoices for goods & services and salaries and expenses are administered accurately and legally.
• Ensure that accounts are controlled, and the Authority informed of the ongoing financial position.
• Ensure all records are prepared for audit purposes
• Ensure that the Authority's obligations for financial risk management, including risk assessments, are fully met and where necessary risk are properly insured.
• Ensure that adequate financial security, and internal financial and accounting controls, are in place and periodically reviewed, and the accounting records of the Authority are maintained and kept up to date in accordance with appropriate and recognised practices.
• Ensure that any other duties as set out within financial regulations are met.
• Lead and manage the Finance and Resources departments including Assets and Facilities Management, Fleet Management and Technical Services functions to provide an efficient and effective service, including providing professional advice to all levels of the service, when required.

The Successful Applicant

• Experience of managing a diverse portfolio of services; finance and resources
• Substantial practical experience of financial management
• Substantial experience working as part of a senior management team, setting strategic direction for organisations.
• Substantial management experience at a senior level.
• Proven ability to manage budgets to achieve set targets and to deliver quarterly and annual reports.
• Experience of leading on internal and external audit processes and subsequent actions.

What's on Offer

This post is politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Key Responsibilities

• Statutory finance role reporting to the Chief Fire Officer (3 days p.w.)
• Additional responsibilities for property, facilities and fleet