6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

The Strategic Director of Finance will fulfil the statutory role of Responsible Financial Officer (s151 Officer) for the Corporate Joint Committee (CCR), ensuring the proper administration of the organisation’s financial affairs in accordance with Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The postholder will provide whole-organisation strategic financial leadership, ensuring effective stewardship of public funds, maximising the impact of CCR’s resources, and enabling the organisation to operate on a sustainable, future-focused financial footing.

The role requires strong commercial acumen, strategic insight, and the ability to support complex investment, funding and delivery models while ensuring compliance with statutory, governance and assurance requirements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as Responsible Financial Officer (s151 Officer) for CCR, ensuring robust financial governance, compliance, and stewardship of public funds.
  

• Provide authoritative financial advice to the Chief Executive, CCR Board, Committees and senior leadership.
  

• Lead the development and implementation of CCR’s Medium-Term Financial Plan, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and the Regional Economic and Industrial Plan.
  

• Shape and direct CCR’s financial strategy to support long-term sustainability, growth and organisational maturity.
  

• Lead and inform CCR’s investment fund activity, demonstrating strong commercial awareness and supporting complex, large-scale programmes and initiatives.
  

• Direct frameworks that enable sustainable funding, including levies, recycled funds, external investment and fiscal levers.
  

• Maximise financial freedoms and flexibilities under CJC Regulations and oversee delivery of the Target Operating Model.
  

• Act as a strategic partner across Regional Growth and Resources business units to align financial and delivery objectives.
  

• Oversee CCR’s Assurance Framework, ensuring compliance with HM Treasury Green Book principles and the five-stage business case model.
  

• Lead internal audit engagement and, alongside senior colleagues, support the development and operation of the Audit and Governance Committee.
  

• Act as lead officer for liaison with the Auditor General for Wales, including preparation and sign-off of the Annual Statement of Accounts.
  

• Promote openness, probity and accountability across all financial and investment activities.
  

• Ensure compliance with all Financial and Contractual Policies, overseeing procurement and commissioning arrangements.
  

• Act as the intelligent client for outsourced transactional services, ensuring value for money and continuous improvement.
  

• Lead financial oversight of strategic assets and services, including ICT and the wider CCR estate.
  

• Work collaboratively with s151 Officer counterparts across the 11 constituent member authorities.
  

• Build strong relationships across the regional and national growth landscape to ensure CCR remains at the forefront of best practice and devolution opportunities.
  

• Engage effectively with developers, investors, businesses, universities and other partners to secure financial and economic value.
  

• Provide strong senior leadership, promoting CCR’s values and behaviours.
  

• Foster a culture of openness, trust, collaboration and psychological safety.
  

• Lead and develop high-performing teams, encouraging innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
  

Requirements

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent.
  

• Fully qualified member of a recognised Chartered Accountancy body (e.g. CIPFA, ICAEW, ACCA).
  

• Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development.
  

• Ability to fulfil the statutory duties of a Section 151 Responsible Financial Officer.
  

• Established senior leader with significant experience at board or executive level.
  

• Proven track record of strategic financial leadership within complex organisations.
  

• Experience of shaping and delivering medium- and long-term financial strategies aligned to corporate priorities.
  

• Demonstrable experience working in politically sensitive environments with competing stakeholder interests.
  

• Strong experience of partnership working across organisations, sectors and governance boundaries.
  

• Proven ability to operate effectively during economic uncertainty, organisational change and political challenge.
  

• High level of financial and technical expertise, including governance, assurance and risk management.
  

• Strong understanding of public sector finance, accountability and stewardship of public funds.
  

• Ability to support and challenge investment, commercial and funding models, including large-scale programmes.
  

• Proven ability to develop and maintain a risk-aware, value-for-money culture.
  

• Ability to provide clear, authoritative financial advice to senior leaders and elected members.
  

• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop innovative, practical solutions to complex problems.
  

• Strong influencing, negotiation and communication skills.
  

• Outcome-focused, resilient and able to prioritise and deliver results.
  

• Demonstrates strong leadership, integrity and sound professional judgement.
  

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
  

• Strong alignment with ESG principles and “triple bottom line” thinking.