Interim Section 151 Officer – Strategic Finance Leader

Essential Employment; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 176,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Essential Employment is seeking an Interim 151 Officer in the West Midlands. The role involves leading the finance service, driving financial strategies, and guiding organisational change within a local authority context.

The post requires high-level governance, stakeholder engagement, and expert financial leadership to support budget planning, reporting, and statutory responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership and direction to the finance service.
• Lead, motivate and develop finance teams, promoting a high-performance culture.
• Establish clear objectives, accountability frameworks and performance standards.
• Support and mentor finance managers and senior finance professionals.
• Drive continuous improvement across financial systems, reporting processes and service delivery.
• Provide stability, clarity and leadership throughout organisational change.
• Build trusted and productive relationships with elected Members.
• Present complex financial information in a clear and accessible manner.
• Support Members in understanding financial risks, opportunities and statutory responsibilities.
• Attend Cabinet, Committee and Full Council meetings as required.
• Develop effective relationships with external partners, auditors, regulatory bodies and key stakeholders.
• Contribute as a member of the Council's senior leadership team.
• Support organisational transformation, service redesign and improvement programmes.
• Provide strategic financial insight to inform corporate priorities and policy development.
• Champion strong governance, accountability and value for money across the authority.
• Support the Council through financial recovery, budget pressures and organisational challenges.
• Fulfil all responsibilities associated with the statutory Section 151 Officer role.
• Provide expert financial advice to executive leaders, governing bodies and senior stakeholders.
• Lead budget setting, medium and long-term financial planning, and financial strategy development.
• Oversee treasury management, capital programmes, reserves strategy and financial sustainability planning.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, accounting standards and professional regulations.
• Maintain robust financial controls, governance, assurance and risk management frameworks.
• Lead the preparation of statutory accounts and annual financial statements.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, regulators and other key stakeholders.
• Provide visible leadership and strategic direction to the finance function.
• Lead, motivate and develop finance teams, promoting a high-performance culture.
• Establish clear objectives, accountability frameworks and performance standards.
• Support and mentor senior finance professionals and service managers.
• Drive continuous improvement across financial systems, reporting processes and operational practices.
• Provide stability, clarity and leadership during periods of organisational change.
• Build trusted and productive relationships with senior decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Present complex financial information in a clear, practical and accessible manner.
• Support stakeholders in understanding financial risks, opportunities and statutory obligations.
• Attend and contribute to senior leadership, governance and decision-making forums as required.
• Develop effective relationships with external partners, auditors, regulatory bodies and other key stakeholders.
• Contribute as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Support organisational transformation, service redesign and continuous improvement programmes.
• Provide strategic financial insight to inform business planning and decision-making.
• Champion strong governance, accountability and value-for-money principles across the organisation.
• Support financial recovery programmes, budget management and organisational challenges.
• Promote long-term financial resilience and sustainable service delivery.

Job description

Essential Employment is seeking an Interim 151 Officer in the West Midlands. The role involves leading the finance service, driving financial strategies, and guiding organisational change within a local authority context.

The post requires high-level governance, stakeholder engagement, and expert financial leadership to support budget planning, reporting, and statutory responsibilities.