Interim Finance Improvement Director

Opus People Solutions Ltd; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 159,592 - 209,407; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the Midlands is urgently seeking an experienced Interim Director of Financial Improvement to conduct a thorough financial assessment. The role involves leading cross-directorate investigations into budgetary issues and engaging effectively with elected members to provide clear financial insights. Candidates with strong financial management skills and a collaborative approach to decision-making will excel in this position. The contract type is interim with hybrid working, and offers a rate of up to £1,000 per day.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in financial management and improvement.
• Ability to build relationships with senior officers and members.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial deep dive across the local authority.
• Assess the council’s financial position and identify key issues.
• Engage with members to provide financial insights and support decisions.

Skills

Financial analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Collaborative communication

Job description

Interim Director of Financial Improvement

We are seeking an experienced Interim Director of Financial Improvement to lead an urgent, organisation‑wide financial deep dive within a local authority.

The role will assess the council’s overall financial position, working across directorates to understand spend, overspends, budget alignment, and areas of structural underfunding. You will identify whether financial pressures are driven by genuine demand, historic budget misalignment, or in‑year control issues, and support the development of sustainable financial solutions.

A key aspect of the role will be engaging effectively with elected members, providing clear and credible financial insight, supporting informed decision‑making, and helping members understand the drivers behind financial pressures and recovery options.

Success in the role will depend on building strong, trusted relationships with senior officers and members, enabling open and collaborative conversations around financial improvement.

• Location: Midlands
• Working pattern: Hybrid, with some on‑site presence required
• Contract type: Interim
• Rate: Up to £1,000 per day
• IR35: Inside or Outside considered
• Start: Immediate

This is an urgent requirement, with shortlisting taking place immediately.

Matthew Masters

[e-mail]