This is a key role in supporting the S151 and Deputy S151 with financial planning and leading the financial support for Kingston Council’s major capital projects.

• Provide professional expertise to apply best practice to support the development and implementation of operational plans and ensure on-going professional development of self and others.
• Manage discrete programmes and projects to ensure they deliver their outcomes within agreed standards of cost and time.
• Provide information to Elected Members to enable them to monitor and delivery of their political objectives and priorities.
• Budget for Financial Planning and Major Projects team of approx £0.5m-£1m.
• Responsible for provision of support, advice and challenge to Kingston council on strategic financial planning and management of financial risk.
• Demonstrate strong and confident leadership of the Shared Finance Service, inspiring staff to deliver excellent finance services.
• Support the Council’s emergency planning (EP) requirements as required at CHOS level and be on the CHOS duty rota for silver level EP response.
• Line manage up to 3 FTEs within the Financial Planning and Major Projects Team and provide performance management which drives high standards of performance and achieves excellent outcomes.
• Lead staff across the finance service to support the RBK AD, Finance the RBK S151 officer and Kingston Councillors to develop financial strategy and protect the financial health of Kingston Council.

Requirements

• Relevant professional qualification that supports delivery of functional responsibilities.
• Current full member of a professional accountancy body as required under statutory guidance to deputise S151 officer duties.
• Significant experience at Senior Finance Manager level in a Local Authority or similar public body.
• Experience of successfully managing MTFP/budget setting processes in a large local authority.
• Experience of successfully managing capital programme planning in a large and complex organisation.
• Ability to interpret complex or detailed legislation, policy or strategy documents to identify financial implications and deliver insight.

Knowledge and Experience

• Educated to a Degree Level.
• Experience of delivering a Finance service within a shared service or to multiple organisations simultaneously.
• Experience of successfully managing MTFP/budget setting processes in a large local authority.
• Experience of supporting major investment programmes at a strategic level.
• Experience of successfully managing capital programme planning in a large and complex organisation.
• Experience of supporting a wide range of organisational initiatives through the finance function, including partnership working, major contract award, local authority trading companies (LATCs), shared services and other alternative delivery models (ADMs).