Senior Finance Business Partner - Place and Economy

What will you be doing?

Providing technical guidance, both internal to, and external to Finance, and developing effective relationships with appropriate national bodies and other local authorities.

Providing financial direction, support, and analysis to all Service and Support Directorates.

Supporting Councillors, Services and Partners to improve performance through the provision of strategic financial advice.

Contributing to the Financial Planning processes with strategic analysis, advice, and recommendations to support the production of a Medium-Term Financial Plan which delivers the objectives of the Authority.

Supporting the development of financial business processes both within Finance and Service Directorates, and the implementation of these improved processes.

Team management including motivating and developing the team to ensure its objectives are achieved and to enhance its overall level of performance and morale.

Ensuring adherence to, and advise on, the application of legislation, and national and international accounting standards.

Providing input on other financial management requirements which will lead to the development of Finance towards a world class service.

Ensuring that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of yourself and other persons, and complying with the policies and procedures relating to health and safety within the Service.

Demonstrating an awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people's behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs.

Undertaking any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope, and purpose of this job description.

About you

• Qualified Accountant
• Proven experience in the areas of financial planning, control, and reporting.
• Understanding of how local government works, including the specific complexities of local government finance, and the major influences and challenges it faces
• Evidence of participation in supporting successful change programme, particularly in responding to the demands of an organisation that is going through a process of transformation and modernisation
• Knowledge/understanding of effective management and development of a team.
• Proven experience of communicating effectively with professional and technical finance staff and operational managers
• Proven experience of successfully developing and achieving agreed objectives in a service function/organisation

Our benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 27 days annual leave per year, 28 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Car Lease scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.

The council is in the process of implementing a new pay structure and terms and conditions which will be applicable to this role.  The outcome could result in a future variation to the advertised salary, and this will be discussed at interview.

About us

We're a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we're embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and communities.

Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is 'to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive'. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.

At West Northants Council, it's about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.

Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.