Strategic Finance & Assets Director (Section 151)

New Start; England; Remote; GBP 161,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

West Surrey Council is creating a rare opportunity to appoint its Executive Director of Finance and Assets (Section 151 Officer). You will lead finance, procurement and assets for a new unitary authority serving multiple areas, providing strategic financial leadership and robust governance from day one.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will shape long‑term financial planning, investment choices and resource stewardship, balancing public value with political accountability in a complex

Qualifications

• Must be a professionally qualified accountant with credibility to fulfil the statutory Section 151 Officer role.
• Significant experience of financial strategy, budget stewardship and medium-term financial planning.
• Experience shaping strategic decisions involving assets, capital, investment or property.
• Commercial judgement across income, procurement, contracts and third‑party spending.
• Strong understanding of local government finance and public-sector governance.
• Track record leading through transformation and organisational change.
• Ability to provide independent advice in a complex political environment.
• Collaborative corporate leadership to create a strong, joined-up organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead across finance, procurement and assets, shaping financial discipline and investment choices.
• Provide executive leadership to support the new council’s long-term success.
• Design frameworks for resource stewardship and robust financial evidence guiding decisions.
• Drive transformation and integration to deliver a resilient, value‑driven organisation.

Skills

Qualified accountant

Financial strategy

Asset/investment strategy

Commercial judgement

Local government finance

Transformation leadership

Independent advisory

Collaborative leadership

Education

Professional accounting qualification

Job description

West Surrey Council is creating a rare opportunity to appoint its Executive Director of Finance and Assets (Section 151 Officer). You will lead finance, procurement and assets for a new unitary authority serving multiple areas, providing strategic financial leadership and robust governance from day one.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will shape long‑term financial planning, investment choices and resource stewardship, balancing public value with political accountability in a complex