Executive Director - Resources (S151 Officer)

Local Government Chronicle; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Liverpool is seeking an Executive Director - Resources & S151 Officer to lead financial stewardship and strategic leadership across various services. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with a proven record in senior leadership, focusing on delivering transformational change. This is a permanent role with a deadline for applications by September 28th, 2025.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of senior leadership and delivering transformational change.
• Ability to navigate financial pressures and spot opportunities.
• Credibility to provide strong financial advice and shape future plans.

Responsibilities

• Ensure financial sustainability of the Council.
• Oversee effective financial planning across services.
• Lead a team of Assistant Directors and Heads of Service.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Financial stewardship

Strategic leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Qualified accountant (CCAB)

Job description

Overview

Executive Director - Resources (S151 Officer)

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an exceptional finance leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Executive Director Resources & S151 Officer. This pivotal role provides the financial stewardship and corporate leadership needed to take Sefton into the next stage of its journey.

As our statutory S151 Officer, you'll be responsible for ensuring the financial sustainability of the Council, overseeing effective financial planning, and setting and maintaining high standards across services. This role is broader than finance, providing strategic leadership across a portfolio including Legal and Democratic Services, Procurement and Contracts, Health and Safety, Strategic Support, ICT and Digital, Human Resources, and Finance. You'll lead a team of Assistant Directors and Heads of Service, empowering them to deliver while setting a strong corporate centre.

We are looking for a leader who can do more than balance the books. You'll have resilience and creativity to navigate financial pressures while spotting opportunities to generate value and maximise the potential of our assets. You'll be ambitious for the Council, pragmatic in problem solving, and focused on outcomes rather than processes. You'll set high corporate standards while also getting alongside services and supporting them to deliver.

You'll be a qualified accountant (CCAB) with a proven track record of senior leadership and delivering transformational change. Credibility to provide strong financial advice, vision to shape future plans, and personal presence to build trusted relationships with Members, colleagues, and partners are essential. You'll thrive in a political environment, be comfortable challenging and supporting in equal measure, and be motivated by the chance to make a lasting impact.

If you are ready to shape Sefton's future, and lead with vision, ambition, and purpose, this is your moment.

To apply or find out more, contact our retained consultants at Tile Hill: Mark Bearn on or Ella Milward-Hamylton on.

Recruitment Timetable

• Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 28th September
• Preliminary Interviews (virtual): Monday 13th October
• Final Member Interviews (in Sefton): Tuesday 21st October

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us; our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations. We are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody's identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual's skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview. If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.

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SEFTON COUNCIL

Liverpool L29, UK

Permanent

Published on 16 Sep 2025