Job Description
3 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• We are seeking an experienced Finance and Data Lead to oversee the financial planning, forecasting, and performance reporting of a complex, high-profile public service function.
• The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping financial strategies, supporting service transformation, and ensuring data-driven decision-making in a fast-paced, regulatory environment.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Lead the monitoring and forecasting of multi-million-pound revenue and capital budgets (c. £50m annually).
• Manage a team of finance and data officers, including performance management and workforce planning.
• Analyse tonnage data from service contracts to validate complex invoices and inform financial decisions.
• Produce statutory data returns and performance reports for senior stakeholders, committees, and government agencies.
• Support the development of financial strategies aligned with national legislation and funding mechanisms.
• Drive process improvement in reporting, data automation, and cost efficiency.
• Provide expert financial advice to senior management, contributing to policy and strategic planning.
• Represent the service at internal and external meetings as required.
Skills/Experience:
• Significant experience in financial management, analysis, and forecasting within the public sector.
• Excellent understanding of financial governance, public sector funding models, and budget setting processes.
• Experience managing a small team in a complex service delivery environment.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and financial systems (e.g. Oracle PBCS).
• Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret trends and present insights clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience validating large, formula-driven invoices linked to contract performance data.
• Confident communicator, able to influence and advise at senior level.
• Knowledge of statutory reporting and compliance (e.g. WasteDataFlow or equivalent).
• Experience in waste management, environmental services or similar regulated sectors.
• Previous experience working in or with local authorities or public service organisations.
• Familiarity with the Environment Act 2021 and relevant funding streams (e.g. PEPR, EPR, New Burdens Funding).
Additional Information:
• The closing date: 29/09/2025 @00:00.
• This is a hybrid role (50% on-site) requiring 37 hours per week, for an initial 3-month assignment, with the potential for extension.
• Degree in Finance, Data Analytics, or a related field, with AAT Level 4 or equivalent
Requirements
• Significant experience in financial management, analysis, and forecasting within the public sector. • Excellent understanding of financial governance, public sector funding models, and budget setting processes. • Experience managing a small team in a complex service delivery environment. • Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and financial systems (e.g. Oracle PBCS). • Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret trends and present insights clearly to non-technical stakeholders. • Experience validating large, formula-driven invoices linked to contract performance data. • Confident communicator, able to influence and advise at senior level. • Knowledge of statutory reporting and compliance (e.g. WasteDataFlow or equivalent). • Experience in waste management, environmental services or similar regulated sectors. • Previous experience working in or with local authorities or public service organisations. • Familiarity with the Environment Act 2021 and relevant funding streams (e.g. PEPR, EPR, New Burdens Funding).