6 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an Associate Director – Finance to lead the Finance function, including Revenues, Benefits, and Debt Management.
• This senior executive role involves strategic leadership, statutory responsibilities as Deputy Section 151 Officer, and oversight of transformation initiatives to modernise services, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experience.
• The postholder will provide visible leadership, ensure robust financial management, and model high standards of governance, probity, and ethical conduct across the Council.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Lead and manage Finance, Revenues, Benefits, and Debt Management teams to deliver efficient, compliant, and customer-focused services.
• Support the Director and Council’s Top Leaders Group in organisational transformation, including maximising technology and automation.
• Deliver medium- to long-term financial planning, budgetary control, and performance optimisation across the Council.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders and Members, ensuring evidence-based decision-making and effective operational delivery.
• Design and implement a new financial operating model, embedding business partnering and promoting efficiency, transparency, and value for money.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and professional standards, fulfilling the Deputy Section 151 Officer role.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture within teams and across the Council.
• Contribute to corporate resilience, emergency planning, and business continuity.
• Manage designated budgets, monitor performance, and support operational transformation aligned with the Council Plan.
Skills/Experience:
• Extensive senior leadership experience in large, complex organisations, preferably local authorities.
• Proven expertise in medium-term financial planning, financial management, and statutory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of local government finance, including benefits administration, debt management, and financial regulations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, driving performance improvement, and embedding organisational change.
• Track record in service redesign, operational transformation, and delivering customer-focused services.
• Political awareness, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• High standards of governance, probity, and ethical conduct underpinned by the Nolan Principles.
• Excellent communication, relationship management, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Resilient, flexible, self-motivated, and able to work under pressure.
Additional Information:
• Location: Dudley.
• Rate: £500/day (negotiable).
• Driving licence required with business use insurance; valid MOT for vehicles over 3 years old.