Finance Director – Strategic Cost Reduction Lead
£150,000 | 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract | Flexible Hybrid (Monthly On-Site Presence)
Location: West Midlands (Remote with monthly travel)
Lead transformation. Deliver results. Shape the financial future of a forward-thinking West Midlands Council.
A Council in the West Midlands is seeking an experienced and decisive Finance Director to join its senior leadership team at a pivotal time. This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-stakes, high-impact financial turnaround – with a strong mandate for change and clear political support.
Working closely with the Section 151 Officer and Chief Executive, your role will be central to delivering an ambitious, already-underway programme of cost reduction, efficiency, and strategic realignment. With the 2025/26 budget already agreed and the delivery plan established, the next six months will be about execution – accelerating delivery, unlocking savings, and maintaining operational integrity throughout.
The Role
* Spearhead the delivery of a strategic, two-year cost reduction plan – targeting efficiencies in key areas, including third-party spend.
* Act as a trusted adviser and strategic partner to the Council’s most senior leaders.
* Drive financial discipline, improve performance and foster innovation across departments.
* Deliver rapid but responsible financial change – balancing short-term pressure with long-term sustainability.
* Contribute to the Council’s positioning ahead of national local government funding reforms and future multi-year settlements.
What You Bring
You are a senior financial leader with a strong local government background and a track record of success in complex, politically sensitive environments. You can hit the ground running, shape the direction of financial transformation, and bring people with you.
* Extensive experience leading financial turnaround or cost reduction in a large, public sector organisation – must be from a local authority background.
* The gravitas, influence and credibility to engage senior stakeholders and elected members with clarity and confidence.
* Strong technical financial acumen with the ability to convert strategic objectives into measurable, deliverable outcomes.
* A results-driven, pragmatic mindset – able to challenge constructively and ensure delivery under pressure.
* A forward-thinking, solutions-oriented approach to public sector finance.
This is a unique opportunity to lead from the front – ensuring financial resilience, enabling sustainable services, and supporting the future stability of a Council committed to reform and innovation.
Interested in stepping into this pivotal leadership role?
For a confidential discussion or to express your interest, please feel free to contact me.