Strategic Finance Director - Local Government (Interim)

Sellick Partnership; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 144,000 - 188,000; Full time

Job summary

Sellick Partnership is recruiting on behalf of a large local authority for the role of Service Director for Corporate Finance in Bedfordshire. The post is interim for 6 months with a day rate of £900, offering hybrid working arrangements.

The successful candidate will lead the Council's finance function, overseeing financial planning, treasury management, capital programmes and financial reporting, while providing strategic leadership to ensure financial resilience.

Qualifications

• CCAB/CIPFA qualification and strong public sector expertise.
• Senior leadership in complex public sector environments.
• Budget setting, reporting, treasury, and governance proficiency.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience leading large teams and organisational change.
• Effective stakeholder management at executive/political levels.
• Collaborative, commercially minded service delivery approach.
• Political awareness for navigating governance environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Council's corporate finance strategy and planning.
• Oversee capital programme development and financing strategy.
• Direct treasury management and investment/borrowing decisions.
• Ensure statutory accounting compliance and professional standards.
• Manage revenues, council tax and benefits services.
• Drive financial resilience, transformation and continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic leadership to a sizeable finance team.
• Build relationships with elected members and external stakeholders.
• Support organisational change and service improvement initiatives.

Skills

CCAB qualification

CIPFA qualified

Senior leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Commercial mindset

Education

CIPFA/CCAB qualification

Job description

Sellick Partnership is recruiting on behalf of a large local authority for the role of Service Director for Corporate Finance in Bedfordshire. The post is interim for 6 months with a day rate of £900, offering hybrid working arrangements.

The successful candidate will lead the Council's finance function, overseeing financial planning, treasury management, capital programmes and financial reporting, while providing strategic leadership to ensure financial resilience.