Head of Finance Business Partnering
Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
Location: Windsor & Maidenhead (Hybrid Working)
Salary: £69,083, maximum £75,442, with a gateway for exceptional candidates up to £89,483.
Closing Date: Sunday 28 June at 23:59
Job Details
The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead is seeking an exceptional finance leader to join us as Head of Finance Business Partnering at a pivotal moment in the Council’s journey.
Reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer), this is an opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future of one of the country’s most distinctive local authorities. You will lead our business partnering function, strengthen financial management across the organisation and ensure finance continues to play a central role in delivering better outcomes for residents, communities and places.
With significant transformation underway, increasing service demand and a continued focus on long-term financial sustainability, this role sits at the heart of corporate decision-making. It offers the opportunity to influence major strategic decisions, support organisational change and help build a modern, high-performing finance function recognised as a trusted partner across the Council.
About Windsor & Maidenhead
Few places in local government combine heritage, profile and strategic importance quite like the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.
Located in the heart of the Thames Valley and home to more than 153,000 residents, the borough combines the global recognition of Windsor, the economic strength of Maidenhead, the prestige of Ascot and Eton, and a collection of thriving towns and villages connected by beautiful countryside and the River Thames.
Our vision is clear: to create safer, greener and cleaner communities, with opportunity for all. Delivering against that ambition requires a financially resilient organisation capable of balancing investment in vital services with long-term sustainability.
Like councils across the country, we face significant financial challenges. Demand continues to rise across social care, housing and other key services, while local government funding remains uncertain. As a result, the Council is delivering an ambitious programme of financial improvement, transformation and service redesign to strengthen resilience and secure a sustainable future.
For finance professionals who want to operate at the centre of organisational change, there are few opportunities as visible, impactful or rewarding.
The Role
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer), you will lead all aspects of the Council’s budget setting, management accounting and business partnering arrangements.
You will be responsible for ensuring finance is embedded within decision-making across the organisation, providing robust challenge, strategic insight and commercial thinking to support service delivery and transformation.
Leading a team of Finance Business Partners, you will work closely with Corporate Directors, Heads of Service, Members and senior stakeholders to strengthen forecasting, improve financial accountability and support better decision-making across both revenue and capital programmes.
You will also play a key role in shaping the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Plan and ensuring financial sustainability remains at the forefront of organisational planning.
Key responsibilities will include:
* Leading the Council’s annual budget setting process and ongoing financial planning.
* Providing strategic financial leadership and challenge across revenue and capital budgets.
* Developing and embedding a high-performing business partnering culture across the organisation.
* Supporting the maintenance and delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Plan.
* Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders on financial strategy, transformation and investment decisions.
* Leading management accounting and financial performance reporting.
* Supporting the development of robust business cases and options appraisals.
* Building financial capability and accountability throughout the organisation.
* Developing and mentoring a talented finance team, including CIPFA trainees and future finance leaders.
About You
We are seeking a CCAB-qualified finance professional with a strong track record of financial leadership within a complex organisation.
You will be a visible and credible leader, comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, with the ability to influence, challenge and build effective relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
You will bring:
* Significant experience of budget setting, financial planning and management accounting.
* Strong business partnering experience and the ability to influence non-financial stakeholders.
* Experience of supporting organisational transformation and financial improvement.
* The ability to translate complex financial information into meaningful insight for senior leaders and Members.
* Experience of leading, developing and motivating finance professionals.
* Strong communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
* The resilience, adaptability and judgement required to succeed within a fast-paced environment.
Local government experience would be advantageous, although we welcome candidates who can demonstrate transferable experience from similarly complex organisations.
Why Join RBWM?
This is an opportunity to join an ambitious finance team that is committed to continuous improvement and professional development.
Finance is recognised as a strategic partner across the organisation and plays a central role in shaping priorities, driving transformation and supporting long-term sustainability. At a time of significant challenge and change across local government, this role offers the opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact on the future of the Council and the communities we serve.
Closing Date: Sunday 28 June at 23:59
Shortlisting: Thursday 2 July
Final Panel Interviews: Week commencing 20 July
The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.