Strategic Finance Manager

Salary - Circa £82K - £90Kpa

Permanent Position

Local Authority

Hybrid Working Pattern

We are currently working with a large unitary authority based in Greater London (West), on the appointment of a Strategic Finance Manager to join its senior finance leadership team.

This is a significant opportunity for an experienced local government finance professional to take on a broad strategic role with real visibility across the organisation. You will play a key part in financial leadership, business partnering, financial planning, closedown, improvement activity and supporting wider transformation across the council.

Working closely with senior officers, members and stakeholders, you will provide clear financial support and challenge across a complex service environment. The role sits within the wider finance leadership team and includes responsibility for leading and developing a small team, strengthening financial management and helping drive value for money and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead on budget monitoring, financial oversight and high-quality financial reporting.
• Support the closedown process and ensure strong financial control across the relevant area.
• Oversee reconciliations, financial models, performance analysis and management information.
• Support medium-term financial planning and strategic decision-making.
• Lead or support finance improvement, transformation and project activity
• Contribute to complex business cases, commercial thinking and funding solutions
• Build strong working relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation and beyond.

About you:

You will be a qualified accountant with a strong track record in senior finance roles, ideally within local government or a similarly complex public sector setting. You will be comfortable operating in a politically aware environment and able to combine sound financial judgement with a practical, solutions-focused approach.

To be considered, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Significant experience in senior finance leadership within a large, complex organisation
• Strong budgeting, financial management and financial modelling capability
• Experience of business planning, option appraisal and business case development
• A track record of leading teams, projects and change activity
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• The ability to work effectively across a wide range of services and priorities
• Strong understanding of the local government financial, legal and political landscape.

Applicants should hold a relevant professional accountancy qualification such as CCAB or CIMA, or overseas equivalent, together with degree-level education or equivalent experience and evidence of continued professional development.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior finance professional looking to make a genuine impact in a high-profile leadership role within local government.