Finance Manager

Post Title: Finance Manager

Main Purpose of Post:

Key responsibility to lead and develop the delivery of improved finance business services to the council internal customers, to use business and emotional intelligence to support the council by influencing strategy and business outcomes.

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Oversight of day to day financial services from the Finance Business Partnering team, delivered through effective budget setting, business analysis and change and efficiency programmes that are robust and achieve service objectives.
2. Strategic engagement and advice with services offering business intelligence and direction to help improve financial performance and facilitate the delivery of operational and financial strategies.
3. Lead on the financial aspect of business cases and change, especially with regard to other more commercial business operating models, and engage others along the journey.
4. Undertake and train others in the use of business modelling to demonstrate the cause and effect of service change, using key factors such as cost drivers, ratios, trends, volumes and pricing.
5. Improve the financial management skills and competencies of service staff through a wide range of regular training activities.
6. Promote a culture of collaboration and a strong focus on customer service and satisfaction, whilst maintaining an independent viewpoint.
7. Professional role that delivers timely input into core annual activities and legislative change, including update of financial strategies, policy updates, the funding formula, year end, audits.
8. Promote good working relationships between services, partners and external networks, breaking down barriers that hinder successful delivery of support and development in a changing customer market.
9. Oversight of the Finance Business partnering team maintaining strong performance, delivery of objectives, standards and competencies. Staff training and development needs are addressed and staff moral and motivation remains buoyant.
10. Ability to undertake and work on own initiative demonstrating flexibility, responsibility and effectiveness to produce ad hoc financial planning and costing exercises, using appraisals and other financial techniques to ensure best use of councils resources.
11. This position has a requirement for an Enhanced DBS Disclosure for employees working within the Schools team.
12. To address health and safety policies and arrangements in a pro-active manner to ensure that a high standard of safe working practices are maintained.
13. Equal Opportunities Statement To actively support and implement the principles and practice of equality of opportunity as laid down in the Councils Equal Opportunities Policy
14. Welsh Language Competency Level 1 - Very little or no knowledge of Welsh.

Experience

Significant relevant post qualification experience within a public sector financial environment

Partnership working and a wider commissioning focus

Track record in successfully delivering a customer focused service

Evidence of strong engagement in projects and delivery of strategic plans

Success in using performance management techniques and can set attainable and motivational targets

Knowledge

Understand the mechanics and role of the Council and the wider public sector regime

Can demonstrate knowledge of relevant accounting standards and principles and codes of practice

Sound awareness of key drivers that affect the public sector and

how the finance function interlinks

Qualifications and Training

Full membership of professional accounting body

Undertaking relevant post qualification CPD training and sets continuous goals for self development

Personal Qualities

Ability to work to tight deadlines and work creatively by responding to complex and technically demanding challenges

Able to work under pressure and motivate others to work quickly without undue stress and demonstrate the duty of care to employees and individuals.

Self aware and confident, with understanding of ones strengths and limitations and clear on the impact of ones behaviours

Confident in decision making and assertive when ensuring stakeholders are engaged

Evidence of using negotiating and influencing skills, whilst able to empathise and carefully deliver decisions and change behaviour

Skills

Excellent leadership skills and the ability to drive through the work tasks

Effective oral and written communication skills at all levels with the ability to engage and influence colleagues, negotiate with external stakeholders and support customers

Ability to plan and prioritise effectively ensuring deadlines and targets are achieved

Excellent ICT, analytical and numerical skills

Ability to operate sensitively in a political environment to develop relationships with councilors that commands respect, trust and confidence

Other Requirements

Must be able to attend evening meetings and work outside of standard office hours when applicable to the role

Hold a full driving licence and have the ability to travel around the County to meetings etc.

Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and working to the vision and values of the council

Ability to speak Welsh