Head of Financial Strategy

Nottingham City Council

Nottingham

Hybrid

GBP 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible hours

Pension scheme

Learning & development

Inclusive culture

Annual leave 26 days

Job summary

Nottingham City Council is seeking an experienced Head of Financial Strategy to lead the development of the Medium-Term Financial Plan and long-term financial sustainability. You will provide strategic financial leadership, advising senior stakeholders and influencing decisions across the organisation.

You'll develop and challenge financial models, manage funding positions, and drive delivery of the council's financial strategy in a politically aware public sector environment.

Qualifications

Proven experience advising at executive level in a large public sector organisation.
Track record delivering a council-wide Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP).
Strong understanding of local government finance, governance and statutory requirements.
Ability to influence strategic direction across services.

Responsibilities

Lead development of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and financial planning.
Develop financial models and scenario analyses for forecasting and investment decisions.
Coordinate funding position with Head of Capital and Treasury and secure alternative funding sources.
Provide leadership and guidance on financial implications of policy changes.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial modelling

Executive influence

Team leadership

Education

CCAB qualified

Job description

Design the financial future of the council. Turn vision into reality.

Reports to: Director of Finance Strategy

Reports to: Director of Finance Operations

A strategic leadership opportunity at the heart of one of the country's most ambitious finance transformations.

Nottingham City Council has travelled one of the most remarkable journeys in local government. From scrutiny and challenge to becoming one of the most financially stable authorities in the country, we've proven that fundamental change is possible. We cleared the backlog, strengthened our controls, built substantial reserves, and restored public accountability.

But stability was never the finish line – it was the starting point. Now, we're building something new. Something ambitious. And we need exceptional leaders to help us do it.

This is your chance to lead the financial strategy at a pivotal moment. You'll shape how the council plans, budgets, and delivers for 331,077 residents – ensuring financial sustainability and enabling better outcomes for our communities.

At Nottingham City Council, finance isn't just about numbers – it's about making decisions that shape services, support communities, and deliver real change. As our Head of Financial Strategy, you'll be the architect of our financial future.

About the Role

The Head of Financial Strategy is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic financial leadership, advice and challenge across the organisation. Working closely with Corporate Directors, Strategic Directors, the Section 151 Officer, senior stakeholders and Finance Colleagues, the postholder will lead the development of the Council's medium and long-term financial strategy, ensuring that financial resources are aligned to corporate priorities, statutory obligations and sustainable service delivery.

You'll develop financial models and scenario analyses to understand the impact of future service demands, legislative changes, and other factors on the council's financial envelope. Utilising the insights generated from this, you'll provide strategic financial advice to the Chief Executive, Corporate Directors, Executive Members and senior leadership teams.

You'll work closely with the Head of Capital and Treasury to manage and coordinate the council's overall funding position across capital and revenue funds – and instigate, develop, and support the attainment of alternative sources of funding.

You'll provide leadership and guidance on the financial implications of policy changes, helping the council navigate an increasingly complex public finance landscape. You’ll support the development and implementation of corporate priorities through effective financial planning and resource allocation. You'll be one of the strategic voices that helps senior leaders understand not just where we are financially, but where we need to go – and how we'll get there.

This is a role for a leader who can see the big picture, connect the dots between policy and finance, and inspire others to deliver. You'll work across the organisation, building relationships and influencing at every level.

You'll be joining at a pivotal moment. The council has set a balanced budget for 2026/27 with a forecast surplus of £1.063m and a net budget requirement of £419.858m. We've delivered a £20.4m net underspend in 2025/26, did not require Exceptional Financial Support, and have reduced debt from £827m to £292m in six years. But significant pressures remain.

The reality of the role: the medium-term picture is challenging. The council has identified £11.948m in new savings for 2026/27 but will need to identify at least £50m over the MTFP period. This is because Local Government Reorganisation will likely mean fewer savings can be delivered in the latter years due to organisational capacity.

Adult social care budgets are forecast to rise, Children's services budgets are projected to rise and at the same time, the council is investing in frontline services. You will directly support the Council’s most senior stakeholders to navigate this complex landscape.

This is your opportunity to lead the development and delivery of the Council's Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), budget strategy and long-term financial sustainability plans.

Your Influence and Responsibility

Strategic leadership: You'll lead the production of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy – shaping the council's financial direction for years to come.
Financial modelling: You'll develop scenario analyses that inform critical decisions on service delivery and investment.
Cross-organisational influence: You'll work with Strategic Business Partners to influence senior stakeholders across the council – your advice will shape decisions at the highest level.
Leadership impact: You'll build and lead a high-performing team, developing the next generation of public finance professionals.

What You’ll Lead and Influence

The production of the council's Medium-Term Financial Plan
Financial models and scenario analyses to determine the financial impact of future service demands and legislative changes
The management and coordination of the council's overall funding position in collaboration with the Head of Capital and Treasury
Leadership and guidance on the medium-term financial implications of policy changes
The development and motivation of a team of finance professionals
The attainment of alternative sources of funding

Who We're Looking For

You're an experienced, qualified accountant who combines strategic vision with the ability to influence and inspire. You thrive on complexity, think at scale, and have the gravitas to shape decisions at the highest level.

You'll bring:

Significant experience of providing financial advice at executive level in a large, complex public sector organisation
A proven track record of leading the development and delivery of a council-wide MTFP
Strong understanding of local government finance, governance and statutory requirements
The ability to influence strategic direction across a range of services
CCAB qualified with evidence of continuing professional development

You'll also bring the behaviours that make a great local government finance leader:

A strategic, big-picture mindset – you see beyond the immediate to the interconnected whole, connecting the dots between the policy environment, finance and service delivery
A risk-aware, not risk-averse approach – you instinctively spot financial risks and control weaknesses early, but focus on managing those risks rather than shutting down progress entirely
The ability to lead under difficult circumstances – you remain calm under pressure during high-stakes situations like external audits or scrutiny, and you have a natural instinct to mentor and coach those around you
A pragmatic, innovative approach – you don't rely on "the way things have always been done"; you proactively look for ways to automate, simplify, and optimise reporting and system usage
Political astuteness – you understand the friction between political aspirations and financial realities, and you have the confidence to constructively challenge when required
A mission-driven, public service orientation – you're genuinely motivated by stewardship and the assurance that every pound of taxpayer money is maximised to best serve the community

Why Nottingham, Why Now?

Few councils have undergone a change of this scale. Having rebuilt financial resilience and restored confidence, we're now focused on long-term excellence.

Nottingham's financial recovery has been remarkable. In November 2023, the council issued a Section 114 notice. By early 2026, the government confirmed its intention to scale back intervention – acknowledging the significant progress made. The council delivered a £20.4m net underspend in 2025/26, did not require Exceptional Financial Support, and set a balanced budget for 2026/27. Debt has fallen from £827m to £292m in six years. These are not just statistics – they represent difficult decisions, disciplined financial management, and a council that has fundamentally changed how it operates.

But the next phase is harder. The council must continue to deliver savings while investing in services. It must manage the financial implications of Local Government Reorganisation – with £28m set aside for preparation costs – while maintaining day-to-day financial control. And it must do all of this while ensuring that every pound is directed to where it can make the most difference for Nottingham's residents.

Nottingham's relatively high proportion of lower-band properties continues to limit the income it can raise compared with other areas, meaning a greater reliance on government funding and grants. Social care demand remains the main pressure on finances, alongside inflation and wider economic conditions. The Head of Financial Strategy will be at the centre of this work – developing the models, scenarios, and strategies that will shape Nottingham's financial future.

These roles offer the opportunity to shape major strategic decisions and help design the future of public finance in Nottingham.

We offer: