Job Description
3 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• The London Borough of Hillingdon is seeking an experienced Strategic Finance Business Partner to lead revenue financial management for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).
• This is a pivotal role during the finalisation of the Council’s 2026/27 budget proposals and the preparation of the HRA 30-year Business Plan.
• The successful candidate will provide high-level financial advice, strategic analysis, and business partnering to senior leaders, ensuring that all revenue implications of acquisitions, developments and stock investment are properly reflected in the HRA’s financial strategy.
• Working closely with the Head of Finance and Capital Finance Business Partners, the postholder will also support year-end processes, statutory accounting requirements, and will manage a small team of Assistant Finance Business Partners.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Lead the revenue side of the Housing Revenue Account and maintain the HRA 30-year Business Plan.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior officers, Members, budget managers and service leads.
• Work closely with Capital Finance colleagues to ensure revenue impacts of capital schemes are reflected in financial planning.
• Support the development of medium-term financial plans and contribute to budget setting for 2026/27 and beyond.
• Assist with year-end close-down processes, including preparation of notes for the Statement of Accounts.
• Manage, support and mentor a team of Assistant Finance Business Partners.
• Present complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders and provide constructive challenge where required.
• Ensure compliance with Financial Standing Orders, statutory accounting requirements, and professional standards.
• Lead or contribute to cross-cutting finance projects, transformational work and service improvement initiatives.
• Represent the Head of Finance at senior management meetings, briefings and committees as required.
Skills/Experience:
• Essential experience of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and local authority financial frameworks.
• Strong understanding of the statutory and regulatory financial environment for local government.
• Demonstrable experience of managing significant budgets within a large, complex public sector organisation.
• Experience leading and developing finance teams, with proven line management capability.
• Advanced financial modelling, capital and options appraisal, forecasting and analytical skills.
• Ability to translate complex financial data into clear, accessible advice for senior decision-makers.
• Experience developing financial strategies and delivering cross-cutting change or transformation programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence at senior levels, including elected Members.
• High level of competence with Excel and financial systems, with the ability to extract and manipulate data.
• Political awareness and understanding of the governance and decision-making environment within local authorities.
Additional Information:
• This is a hybrid role, inside IR35, requiring at least one day per week in the office.
• Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA) with at least two years’ post-qualification experience.
• Full-time role: 36 hours per week.
Requirements
• Essential experience of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and local authority financial frameworks. • Strong understanding of the statutory and regulatory financial environment for local government. • Demonstrable experience of managing significant budgets within a large, complex public sector organisation. • Experience leading and developing finance teams, with proven line management capability. • Advanced financial modelling, capital and options appraisal, forecasting and analytical skills. • Ability to translate complex financial data into clear, accessible advice for senior decision-makers. • Experience developing financial strategies and delivering cross-cutting change or transformation programmes. • Strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence at senior levels, including elected Members. • High level of competence with Excel and financial systems, with the ability to extract and manipulate data. • Political awareness and understanding of the governance and decision-making environment within local authorities.