Section 151 Officer & Assets Transformation Lead

West Surrey Council; Guildford; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

West Surrey Council seeks a professionally qualified accountant to become the statutory Section 151 Officer for a new unitary authority serving Guildford, Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne.

You will lead finance, procurement and assets, shaping long-term financial discipline, investment decisions and resource stewardship to deliver public value amid a major local government transformation.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial strategy and budget stewardship.
• Experience shaping assets, capital, investment or property strategy.
• Commercial judgement across income, procurement, contracts and third-party spending.
• Strong understanding of local government finance and governance.
• Track record of leading through organisational transformation.
• Ability to provide independent advice in a complex political environment.
• Collaborative leadership to create a sustainable, joined-up organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the statutory Section 151 Officer responsibilities.
• Provide executive leadership across finance, procurement and assets.
• Shape financial discipline, investment choices and resource stewardship.
• Lead strategic decisions on assets, income and commercial activity.
• Advise senior leadership and support transformation in a political context.

Skills

Financial strategy

Budget stewardship

Medium-term planning

Strategic decision-making

Transformation leadership

Independent advisory

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Chartered Accountant (CIPFA/ACA/ACCA)

Job description

West Surrey Council seeks a professionally qualified accountant to become the statutory Section 151 Officer for a new unitary authority serving Guildford, Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne.

You will lead finance, procurement and assets, shaping long-term financial discipline, investment decisions and resource stewardship to deliver public value amid a major local government transformation.