Head of Financial Management

AESN Limited; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

AESN Limited in Tees Valley seeks a seasoned finance leader to drive the Authority's medium-term financial planning, align with Cabinet vision, and oversee a robust business partnering function providing expert financial management to Members, the Chief Executive, and senior leadership.

You will lead MTFS and Capital Strategy, ensure governance and compliance, and work with the Head of Financial Accounting to align with accounting standards and treasury policies.

Qualifications

• Leadership capabilities to translate vision into delivery
• Technical expertise in public sector financial management and funding frameworks
• Strong communication and influence with senior executives and elected Members

Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Planning: Lead and drive the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and Capital Strategy.
• Business Partnering & Leadership: Direct and motivate the Financial Management and Business Partnering teams.
• Budget Setting & Monitoring: Oversee annual budget setting, in-year monitoring, and month-end closure, with robust Cabinet reports.
• Decision Support & Analysis: Provide strategic financial leadership and options appraisal for major business cases.
• Governance & Collaboration: Align financial management with accounting standards and treasury policies.

Skills

Leadership & Direction

Technical Expertise

Communication & Influence

Job description

Job Purpose

To lead the development of the Authority’s medium-term, sustainable financial planning in close collaboration with the Group Director of Finance & Resources and Corporate Leadership Team, aligning with the strategic vision set by Cabinet. You will oversee a holistic business partnering function, providing expert financial management advice to Members, the Chief Executive, and senior leadership to underpin major organizational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Planning: Lead and drive the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and Capital Strategy to ensure sustainable financial planning aligned with the Treasury Management Strategy.
• Business Partnering & Leadership: Direct and motivate the Financial Management and Business Partnering teams to deliver high-performance financial advisory services across all directorates.
• Budget Setting & Monitoring: Oversee annual budget setting, in-year budget monitoring, and month-end closure processes, delivering timely and robust financial reports to Cabinet.
• Decision Support & Analysis: Provide strategic financial leadership, appraisal, and challenge for major business cases, options appraisals, and decision reports.
• Governance & Collaboration: Liaise closely with the Head of Financial Accounting to align financial management with accounting standards, treasury policies, and statutory requirements.

Requirements & Competencies

• Leadership & Direction: Proven track record in translating strategic vision into operational delivery, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and coaching senior managers.
• Technical Expertise: Recognized expert in public sector financial management, local government funding frameworks, capital strategies, and financial decision-making.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent political awareness and emotional intelligence, with the ability to navigate complex discussions and advise senior executives and elected Members