Strategic Financial Planning Lead – Public Sector

Tempting Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 156,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Tempting Recruitment is assisting a local authority in West Sussex to recruit an experienced Senior Financial Planning Manager. The role focuses on shaping financial strategy and long-term sustainability.

The successful candidate will lead MTFS development, coordinate annual budget processes with Directors and budget holders, and provide strategic financial advice to senior officers and elected Members. This is a senior, permanent position in the West Sussex area.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in financial planning and budgeting within local government or a comparable public sector organisation.
• Experience developing and managing Medium-Term Financial Strategies and leading annual budget-setting processes.
• Strong understanding of local government finance framework, funding mechanisms, financial governance and statutory reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the development, maintenance and delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), including financial modelling, scenario planning, funding analysis, financial sustainability and risk assessment.
• Coordinate the annual revenue and capital budget-setting process, working with Directors, Heads of Service and budget holders to develop robust proposals aligned with corporate priorities and statutory requirements.
• Provide strategic financial advice, challenge and decision support to senior officers, budget managers and elected Members.
• Lead the production and presentation of monthly budget monitoring, quarterly performance and other financial management reports, ensuring clear analysis, narrative and recommendations.
• Identify and communicate key financial risks, funding pressures, opportunities and efficiency savings, ensuring appropriate mitigation and action plans are developed.

Skills

Financial planning

Budgeting

MTFS

Public sector

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

24th August, 2026

Tempting Recruitment are working alongside our client, a local authority, who are looking to recruit an experienced Senior Financial Planning Manager to join their team based in the West Sussex area.

JOB DETAILS

• PAY RATE: £600 - £700 Per Day
• WORK TYPE: Permanent
• WORK PATTERN: Full Time
• LOCATION: West Sussex

JOB ROLE
Our client, a public sector organisation, is seeking an experienced Senior Financial Planning professional to play a key role in shaping its financial strategy and supporting long-term financial sustainability.

This is a senior-level role for a finance professional with substantial experience within local government or a comparable public sector environment. You will provide trusted financial advice and constructive challenge to senior leaders, helping translate complex financial information into clear strategic insight and effective decision-making.

JOB DESCRIPTION
The duties and responsibilities of the role will include:

• Lead and support the development, maintenance and delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), including financial modelling, scenario planning, funding analysis, financial sustainability and risk assessment.
• Coordinate the annual revenue and capital budget-setting process, working with Directors, Heads of Service and budget holders to develop robust proposals aligned with corporate priorities and statutory requirements.
• Provide strategic financial advice, challenge and decision support to senior officers, budget managers and elected Members.
• Lead the production and presentation of monthly budget monitoring, quarterly performance and other financial management reports, ensuring clear analysis, narrative and recommendations.
• Identify and communicate key financial risks, funding pressures, opportunities and efficiency savings, ensuring appropriate mitigation and action plans are developed.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will have the following skills and competencies:

• Significant experience in financial planning and budgeting within local government or a comparable public sector organisation.
• Extensive experience of developing and managing Medium-Term Financial Strategies and leading annual budget-setting processes.
• A strong understanding of the local government finance framework, funding mechanisms, financial governance and statutory reporting requirements.
• Proven experience providing strategic financial advice and constructive challenge to senior officers and elected Members.
• Strong financial modelling, analytical and reporting capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate key messages effectively.

Please be advised that only candidates that have the specific skills and experiences required for this role will be shortlisted and submitted to our client for review.
HOW TO APPLY
Hit the APPLY button or contact Josh Savage at Tempting Recruitment NOW.