Principal Finance Manager and Deputy S151 Officer

Harlow is a great place to live and work, being ideally located on the London Liverpool Street to Stansted/Cambridge rail line, and only four miles from the M25. Harlow is at the forefront of a significant growth agenda in the heart of the London Stansted Cambridge Corridor. As a key member of the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town partnership, Harlow Council is driving forward an ambitious vision to not only grow the town, but to effect a transformation not seen since the birth of the New Town. The town’s successful Enterprise Zone continues to grow and the next five years will see the delivery of Public Health England’s world class £400m National Science Hub. 

The Council is highly ambitious and is looking to appoint a similarly determined individual to the key post of Principal Finance Manager and Deputy S151 Officer. You will be apart of a small finance team focused on helping the Council to meet its challenging efficiency targets whilst supporting the delivery of the town’s exciting growth agenda. You will participate in the strategic and corporate development of the Council and contribute to the management and leadership of the Council, working closely with the Head of Service, Senior Management Board and Councillors. 

Working closely with the Head of Finance and Deputy to the Managing Director, the post holder is responsible for the delivery of a high standard of financial support covering all Council service areas including, for example, General Fund, Housing Revenue Account, Collection Fund, Capital Programme, treasury management activities, the preparation of the Annual Statement of Accounts and overseeing the management and development of core financial systems and budgetary processes. The Council has embarked on a project to review and transform its financial management practices and as the Principal Finance Manager you will lead in the delivery of this work.
You will also deputise for the S151 officer.  

You must be CCAB qualified, preferably holding a CIPFA qualification, have significant experience at senior management level, a thorough understanding of local authority accounting and finance, strong leadership abilities and change management skills preferably gained from within the local government sector. 

This is an exciting and challenging role which will provide exceptional opportunities for the right candidate to apply their initiative, to design systems’ improvements and to be involved in a highly-regarded central function of the Council. There is an attractive remuneration package on offer, plus an additional market supplement for undertaking the Deputy S151 duties as well as generous annual leave, professional fees and career average revalued (CARE) pension scheme. 

For further information please visit: microsites.hays.co.uk/jobs/harlow-council or contact Lucy West, Senior Business Director for an informal discussion, who is the retained consultant working in partnership with Harlow Council. 

Closing date for applications: Monday 10th June 
Interviews will take place w/c : 24th June (days/times tbc)

All third party and direct applications will be sent to Lucy West at Hays Senior Finance to be screened as part of the recruitment process.