Sandwell Council is partnering with Robertson Bell in the recruitment of a Head of Finance Business Partnering on a permanent basis. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for leading the Council’s Finance Business Partnering service, providing high-quality strategic, commercial and financial advice to senior leaders and elected Members, and ensuring financial insight is embedded at the heart of decision making across the organisation.
The organisation:
Sandwell is a metropolitan borough in the Black Country, which is made up of six towns – Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and West Bromwich.
Located in the West Midlands, Sandwell borders Birmingham city, Dudley borough, Walsall borough and Wolverhampton city. The borough has excellent access to the national motorway network with five junctions feeding in to the M5 and M6 motorways serving the South West, South East and North West regions of the UK.
Sandwell also benefits from a mainline train station – Sandwell and Dudley and the Midland Metro. The borough has 1, hectares of parks, playing fields and local green space, and over 30 miles of canals.
Sandwell Council is on a powerful journey of improvement and transformation. Having become the fastest council ever to exit intervention, and shortlisted for Most Improved Council at the LGC Awards, they are proud of the progress they’re making and the direction they’re heading.
The Finance team is growing and ambitious, with a strong focus on learning and development, supporting colleagues to build rewarding careers while helping shape outstanding public services. As they work towards becoming a CIPFA-accredited employer, this is an exciting time to join a team that values talent, invests in people, and is committed to excellence.
The role:
Reporting to the Service Director – Finance (Deputy Section Officer), the Head of Finance Business Partnering will lead the Finance Business Partnering function, ensuring robust financial management, strong governance and effective strategic support across all service areas. Key responsibilities include:
1. Provide professional leadership of the Finance Business Partnering service, ensuring the team delivers high-quality strategic, commercial and financial advice to senior leaders and budget holders.
2. Lead on the development of financial capability across the Council, including training and supporting budget holders to strengthen financial ownership.
3. Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, ensuring Finance Business Partners are seen as trusted advisors and critical contributors to organisational success.
4. Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, innovation and excellent customer service.
5. Act as a key strategic advisor to the Strategic Leadership Team and elected Members, supporting policy development, transformation activity and delivery of the Council Plan.
6. Lead on the Council’s budget monitoring and financial reporting processes for both revenue and capital, ensuring timely, accurate and insightful reporting through appropriate governance arrangements.
7. Ensure effective financial systems, processes and reporting frameworks are embedded across the organisation, promoting strong accountability and informed decision making by budget holders.
8. Provide assurance over in-year financial performance, proactively identifying risks, pressures and opportunities and ensuring these are clearly communicated and managed.
9. Champion value for money across the organisation, supporting services to optimise resources, deliver savings and manage financial outcomes effectively.
The successful candidate will have:
10. A full CCAB (or equivalent) accountancy qualification.
11. Significant experience in a senior finance business partnering role within a large, complex organisation, ideally within local government.
12. Strong expertise in budget setting, budget monitoring, financial reporting and medium-term financial planning.
13. A proven ability to provide strategic financial advice and constructive challenge to senior leaders and elected Members.
14. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at the highest levels.
15. A collaborative and motivational leadership style, with experience of developing high-performing teams.
16. A strong commitment to public service values, governance and continuous improvement.
The closing date for applications is 1st February, with interviews due to take place week commencing 9th February.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to submit their CV to Sandwell Council’s exclusive recruitment partner Robertson Bell as early as possible to avoid disappointment.