Islington Council Jobs – Finance Manager

Job Description:

Inform a strategic vision for the service that enables the council to meet its future challenges, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

Job Responsibilities:

• Work closely with all stakeholders to ensure best use of limited financial resources, providing the strategic financial advice, insight, intelligence and support needed
• Continually review, update and report on financial risks and opportunities, advising how the risks can be mitigated and the opportunities exploited
• Support the longer-term council-wide financial position and develop financial strategies with stakeholders.
• Provide support for the medium term financial planning process.
• Develop appropriate financial models and analytics to determine financial impact of future service demands, changes in legislation and other factors affecting resource requirements.
• Instigate, develop and support the attainment of alternative sources of funding that contribute towards identified funding gaps.
• Contribute towards the development and implementation of the Council’s financial strategy, fundamentally ensuring sustainability over the medium term
• Proactively identify trends and changes in the operating environment (e.g. legislation, technology, policy, etc.) that could financially impact service delivery; provide advice and collaborate on potential solutions

Job Requirements:

• Promote a culture which empowers budget holders and supports the delivery of value for money services and knowledge of key cost drivers.
• Prepare and present informative, high quality reports to senior stakeholders that aid in informed service and corporate decision making.
• Prepare and present complex and diverse informative, high quality reports to members and other senior stakeholders that inform service and corporate consequence action decision making.
• Ensure statutory and other returns are submitted accurately and on a timely basis. Prior to submission ensure senior management sign off and produce an appropriate supporting paper setting out the approach to development of the return.
• Encourages staff to recognise their contribution to the strategic objectives the council has set.
• Foster a high-performance culture including carrying out internal service reviews to improve value for money and efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with peers and stakeholders.
• Takes responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Monitor and control the monthly financial reporting process ensuring forecasts are accurately included on the system or promptly escalating relevant issues backed up with appropriate analysis.
• Advise on investment and funding strategies including investment risk and performance.
• Ensure members of the team, directors and budget holders receive the financial management training required to be effective in their roles, including awareness of Financial Regulations and financial approval requirements prior to taking decisions.
• Lead and effectively motivate staff by providing coaching, mentoring, training, professional development opportunities, and appropriate performance management.
• Build a credible and responsive team who are respected for their depth of knowledge, expertise and customer focus.
• Deputise for the Head of Finance as required.
• Enable and encourage a flexible working environment.
• Champions a culture that values equality and diversity, and ensures these are built into the delivery of services.
• Promotes a culture that values continuous personal and professional development.
• Demonstrates a high level of personal drive and energy that sets an example to others.
• Fosters a dynamic, achievement orientated culture.
• Draw on knowledge of Council services and the related financial complexities, to ensure the provision of systems and procedures that enable effective budgetary control; ensure that variations and emerging financial pressures are drawn to the attention of budget managers, with options and plans for their resolution.
• Provide senior expert specialist advise and to act on behalf of the Council on high-level complex matters, ensuring the provision of expert advice and guidance to all levels of staff, which is appropriate, accurate and timely, in relation to all aspects of the finance function in accordance with the Council’s policies and procedures and to promote awareness of good financial practice and control.
• Advise Head of Finance and Senior Finance Managers on funding, financial management and accounting requirements.

Qualification & Experience:

• As a fully qualified accountant, you will have significant experience in working collaboratively with budget holders to improve services to residents and an ability to explain complex financial matters to non financial stakeholders.

Job Details:

Company: Islington Council

Vacancy Type:  Full Time

Job Location: London, England

Application Deadline: N/A