Head of Finance (Social Care & Education)

Location: Leicester

Contract: Temporary (6 month initial)

Rate: £500-£600 per day

Start date: ASAP

*Hybrid Working*

Contact: (url removed)

Job Description

Service Care Solutions are recruiting on behalf of a Local Authority in Leicester for a Head of Finance to join the team on a temporary basis. The authority is seeking a Head of Finance to join their Social Care and Education Finance team.

The Head of Finance will lead the finance support for Social Care, Education and Public Health, providing professional high level strategic advice to the City Mayor, the Executive, Scrutiny, and the Corporate Management Team. Ensuring the delivery of an efficient, effective and compliant finance function, promoting the efficient use of resources across the Council and deputise for the Director of Finance.

Main responsibilities

• Leadership and People Management:

• Lead and develop council employees, including subject matter experts, casual workers, and volunteers, through effective people and performance management.

• Financial Planning and Strategic Oversight:

• Collaborate with strategic and divisional directors to prepare and monitor revenue and capital budgets for social care, education, and public health divisions.
• Provide strategic financial analysis and advice to senior council officers, the City Mayor/Executive, and external partnership boards, preparing and reviewing financial reports.

• Resource Maximisation and Compliance:

• Identify innovative ways to maximize resource use, improve service delivery, and manage funding changes.
• Ensure compliance with financial controls and prevent fraud by maintaining robust financial systems and processes.

• External Representation and Engagement:

• Represent the Council at external meetings and statutory agencies, building positive relationships and acting on its behalf.
• Investigate and respond to formal complaints, MP letters, Councillor enquiries, and FOIA requests promptly and accurately.

Candidate Requirements

• Extensive experience in Local Government finance, particularly in children's and education sectors, is essential. Understanding and supporting the setting of budgets for schools maintained by the Council is crucial.

• Proven ability to formally manage and develop council employees, including subject matter experts, and supervise activities of matrix-managed staff, casual workers, and volunteers. Experience in fostering a culture of continuous improvement through coaching and mentoring.

• Demonstrated expertise in preparing and monitoring revenue and capital budgets for social care, education, and public health divisions. Ability to provide strategic financial support to major projects and programs, ensuring financial integrity and value for money.

• Strong technical management skills, including the ability to monitor, review, and interrogate actual and forecast revenue and capital spending. Proficiency in providing strategic financial analysis and advice to senior council officers and external partnership boards.

If you are interested in the role, or know of anyone who may be, please contact Miraj at Service Care Solutions on (phone number removed) or email (url removed)

Service Care Solutions also offers a £250 referral bonus! So, if you know of anyone who would be perfect for this position and they are placed into work, you will receive £250 for the referral once their probationary period has been completed.