Chief Finance Officer (Section 151) - Maldon District Council

Please note: This is a temporary opportunity for a period of up to 6 months and is due to start immediately. This is a hybrid working opportunity with the expectation of being in the office 1-2 days per week. As this is a committee appointment, one day per week there is an evening committee meeting which the successful applicant will be expected to attend. When submitting your application, please include your salary expectation within your supporting statement along with your availability to start. Please ensure you will be required to have a enhanced DBS for this opportunity.

Essex County Council are delighted to be advertising on behalf of Maldon District Council to recruit for the post of Interim Chief Finance Officer (Section 151). This is an interim opportunity for a period of 6 months with the benefit of hybrid working and the expectation to be in the office subject to business need, including attendance at evening meetings as required.

The Opportunity

To provide strategic Leadership and managing a team of staff who are responsible for Finance and Commercial.

Fulfilling the statutory role of the Council's Section 151 Officer.

To own, develop and oversee the council's policies in key areas, solve problems and delivers an efficient customer-focused service with high standards of professionalism.

Ensures delivery of a service that is professional, and business like in its approach; ensure a focus on how the team contributes to the delivery of the council's ambitions and to high standards of services for residents and other customers.

Member engagement and liaison: To be a trusted point of contact for engagement with Members to ensure sound relationships and prompt responses to issues and queries raised.

To ensure effective cross Council working for self and reports to enable strategic achievement and enabling collaboration, innovation and engagement and delivery of Council priorities under the overall guidance of the Director for Strategy, Performance and Governance.

Be a role model for the service, demonstrating authenticity, integrity, resilience, and compassion and focussing on communication, personal development, and wellbeing.

Accountabilities

· Ensuring the Council is statutorily compliant on all financial matters.

· Ensuring robust financial planning and management to support the delivery of the Council's objectives.

· Responsible for defined specialist and operational services to meet the council's needs and delivering of the council's key services and corporate objectives, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, legislation, professional codes of practice and adherence to Council policy.

· Ensuring the delivery of a performance improvement strategy for areas of responsibility to achieve continual progression.

· Prepare and present reports to council committee meetings or other internal or external meetings ensuring compliance, transparency, and scrutiny.

· Ensuring high standards of specialist and professional input into the development and implementation of the council 's strategies and policies.

· Be the most senior point of contact for the service reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and elected members as necessary.

· Responsible for the management and implementation of projects, interventions and initiatives and delivery of corporate objectives and business plans with input from staff with relevant expertise and experience.

· Undertake recruitment and supervision of interim staff and provide functional and operational leadership and oversee recruitment and retention to minimise the number of vacancies and agency appointments.

· In conjunction with the Director of Strategy Performance and Governance, responsible for the review and implementation of business process changes that drive further efficiencies and cost savings within the Council.

· Delivering customer focussed, high profile and responsive operations and services, ensuring that enquiries, complaints and cases are managed and completed at the appropriate level.

· Ensuring risk management of all activity, reporting to the Senior Leadership and elected Members as required.

· Ensuring sound financial and resource management across the service, enabling discussion about resource and response is set within a sound financial and procurement framework.

· As part of the Directorate Senior Management team, ensuring a coherent and consistent approach across the remit of the Directorate and as part of the Council's Extended Leadership Team.

· Role model the Core Values with an emphasis on praise, peer to peer feedback and recognition of achievements.

· Draw on previous experience to provide senior specialist advice and input, challenging thinking where appropriate. Input to commissioning and contract management with a focus on maximising commercial opportunities and achieving value for money.

· Liaise with managers across the Council to monitor relevant information systems and make sure they are accurate and up to date, ensuring the "golden customer record" conforms to all verification and validation processes and in accordance with Data Protection principles and Council policy.

· Management or Leadership qualification such as CMI Level 5 or higher is desirable.

· Member of an accounting body listed in the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

· Evidence of Continuous and Professional Development (CPD).

· Extensive expertise in strategic financial planning, compliance, and risk management, with a strong understanding of local government finance and emerging legislation.

· Proven experience in leading finance teams, fostering high performance cultures, and managing complex service portfolios, while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.

· Strong leadership and communication skills, adept at driving results, managing priorities, and developing teams, with proficiency in technology and business process improvement.

· In depth knowledge and understanding of Local Government

· Flexible working options available

· Free on-site parking

· Access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders

· Discounted local leisure centre membership.

· Access to a range of work/life balance policies.

· Access to staff benefits platform

Maldon District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Disclosure and Barring checks will be undertaken for this role.