Head of Finance Operations – AR

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Staines-upon-Thames; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kingston and Sutton Councils seek a senior Finance Operations leader to drive delivery of financial operations across both authorities. You will lead high-performing teams, ensure robust controls and guide strategic financial management for public funds.

You will work with Directors of Finance, senior officers and Councillors to improve service delivery, drive efficiency and support financial objectives across the Shared Finance Service.

Qualifications

• Significant experience at Senior Finance Manager level in a local authority or similar public-sector organisation.
• Strong knowledge of transactional finance (payments, debt collection, financial controls).
• Experience in at least one area: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Finance Control or Financial Systems.
• Proven track record implementing change or transformation within a finance function.
• Strong leadership, team management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to interpret complex financial legislation and policies, identify risks and provide practical recommendations.
• Improving operational performance and delivering high-quality financial services.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage finance operations across councils, including AP/AR, debt collection and financial systems.
• Oversee supplier payments, income collection and debt management.
• Ensure compliance with financial legislation, VAT, accounting standards and internal controls.
• Develop finance teams, set performance objectives and quality standards.
• Provide financial analysis and performance reports to senior leaders and Councillors.
• Oversee banking arrangements, tax advisers, financial systems contracts and third-party accounts.
• Drive service improvement through digital transformation, automation and innovative processes.
• Collaborate with service managers and external partners to improve processes and reduce costs.
• Support strategic planning, financial governance and efficient use of council resources.

Skills

Senior finance leadership

Public sector / local authority

Financial controls

Leadership & stakeholder engagement

Change management

Strategic planning

Education

Degree-level education

CIPFA/CIMA/ICM/MBA

Job description

Head of Finance Operations

Location: Kingston and Sutton Councils
Department: Shared Finance Service

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Head of Finance Operations to lead the delivery of financial operations across Kingston and Sutton Councils. This is a senior leadership position within the Shared Finance Service, responsible for ensuring high-quality financial services, strong financial controls and effective management of public funds.

You will work closely with Directors of Finance, senior council officers and other stakeholders to improve service delivery, drive efficiency and support the financial objectives of both councils.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage finance operations, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, debt collection and financial systems.
• Oversee supplier payments, income collection and the effective management of debts owed to the councils.
• Ensure compliance with financial legislation, VAT requirements, accounting standards and internal financial controls.
• Manage and develop finance teams, setting performance objectives and promoting high standards of service delivery.
• Provide financial advice, analysis and performance reports to senior leaders and Councillors.
• Oversee banking arrangements, tax advisers, financial systems contracts and third-party bank accounts.
• Drive service improvement through digital transformation, automation and innovative financial processes.
• Work collaboratively with service managers, suppliers and external partners to improve financial processes and reduce costs.
• Support strategic planning, financial governance and the effective use of council resources.

Essential Requirements

• Significant experience at Senior Finance Manager level within a local authority or similar public-sector organisation.
• Strong knowledge of transactional finance, including payments, debt collection and financial controls.
• In-depth experience in at least one of the following areas: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Finance Control or Financial Systems.
• Proven experience implementing change or transformation within a finance function.
• Strong leadership, team management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to interpret complex financial legislation and policies, identify risks and provide practical recommendations.
• A track record of improving operational performance and delivering high-quality financial services.

Desirable Requirements

• A relevant professional qualification, such as CIPFA, CIMA, ICM or an MBA.
• Degree-level education.
• Experience managing finance operations across multiple organisations or within a shared service.
• Experience managing large teams, financial systems, debt recovery and purchase-to-pay processes.

Experience introducing digital solutions, automation or AI to improve financial services.

Experience working strategically with senior council officers and elected Councillors.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a confident, commercially aware and forward-thinking finance leader who can motivate teams, build effective stakeholder relationships and deliver service improvements. The successful candidate will combine strong operational finance expertise with strategic leadership, ensuring both councils maintain robust financial controls and efficient, customer-focused services.