Interim CFO & COO (S151 Officer)

Integris Financial Recruitment Ltd; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial recruitment agency is seeking an Interim CFO & COO for a 6-12 month contract in South Yorkshire. This senior leadership position involves providing strategic oversight across corporate services, enhancing governance frameworks, and leading significant change initiatives. Ideal candidates will be fully qualified accountants with extensive experience at the Executive level, capable of navigating complex environments and fostering high-performance cultures. This is a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in local government.

Qualifications

• Proven experience at Director or Executive Director level.
• Experience in corporate services including finance, governance/legal, and HR.
• Experience leading large-scale improvement or transformation programmes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight across core corporate services.
• Strengthen governance frameworks and lead delivery-focused change.
• Create a high-performance culture focused on collaboration.

Skills

Leadership of large multi-disciplinary directorates

Statutory governance knowledge

Stakeholder management

Exceptional communication skills

Education

Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, ICAEW or equivalent)

Job description

Local Government Interim CFO & COO (S151 Officer)

Executive Director level | 6-12 Month Contract

We are working on behalf of a local authority seeking an experienced Interim Executive to join its Corporate Leadership Team during a key period of organisational improvement and transformation.

This is a senior leadership appointment providing strategic oversight across core corporate services including Finance (Section 151), Legal & Democratic Services, People/HR, Governance, Audit & Risk, and Health & Safety.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will provide visible, politically astute leadership across major service portfolios while strengthening governance frameworks and leading delivery-focused change.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leadership of large multi-disciplinary directorates and complex budgets.
• Oversight of statutory functions including Section 151, Monitoring Officer responsibilities, Audit & Risk and Health & Safety compliance.
• Driving organisational transformation to improve efficiency, performance and value for money.
• Embedding strong governance, financial controls and assurance frameworks.
• Building effective working relationships with elected members, senior officers, trade unions and partner agencies.
• Translating political priorities into safe, deliverable operational programmes.
• Creating a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking an experienced senior leader from local government or a comparable public sector environment with a strong corporate background.

Essential requirements include:

• Fully qualified accountant with membership of a recognised professional body (CIPFA, ACCA, ICAEW or equivalent).
• Proven experience operating at Director or Executive Director level.
• Strong track record across corporate services including finance, governance/legal, HR and organisational development.
• Knowledge and experience of statutory governance including:
  • Section 151 Officer duties
  • Monitoring Officer functions
  • Audit, risk and assurance frameworks
  • Health & Safety compliance
• Experience leading large-scale improvement or transformation programmes.
• Proven ability to work effectively with elected members in politically complex environments.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication and leadership skills.

You will be credible, commercially focused and resilient - able to operate with pace while maintaining high standards of governance, ethics and public accountability.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-profile interim executive role and make a genuine impact within a large and complex public sector organisation. The role offers real scope to drive change, strengthen governance and leave a lasting contribution.

Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply via this advert or contact us for a confidential discussion.