Head of Finance Operations

Representative accountabilities

• 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.
• Provide information to Elected Members to enable them to monitor and delivery of their political objectives and priorities.
• Implement policies to support the delivery of Council objectives and plans and that comply with all relevant legislation and statutory requirements.
• Manage discrete programmes and projects to ensure they deliver their outcomes within agreed standards of cost and time.
• Where relevant, develop, motivate and set performance objectives for a senior team/staff in order to support a culture of high quality organisational performance.
• Where required, manage devolved budgets and resources in order to support the delivery of intended outcomes and demonstrate value for money.

Budgetary accountabilities

• Budget for Finance Operations team of approx ?1.5m - ?2.5m
• Manager of Finance Operations team of approx 25-35 FTEs
• Responsible for provision of support and advice on financial matters to service managers, residents, suppliers and council debtors

Specific accountabilities

The remit of the role is to deliver strategic leadership and management to the Shared Finance Service and be accountable for the work of the Finance Operations teams. The post holder will be accountable for delivering ?best in class? transactional finance services.

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Take collective responsibility as part of the Shared Finance Service Management Team for delivering activities that will realise the Shared Finance Service ambition to add value, inspire success
• Demonstrate strong and confident leadership of the Shared Finance Service, inspiring staff to deliver excellent finance services to Kingston and Sutton Councils
• Lead the Shared Finance Service to develop a culture that reflects the INSPIRE values and to achieve business plans and corporate objectives
• Have a good understanding of the role and function of all finance teams to be able to contribute to the strategic management of the service as part of the Shared Finance Service Management Team.
• Provide strategic support and advice to Council committees, Councillors, Member boards and corporate governance arrangements in financial matters for both RBK and LBS
• Develop strategic partnerships and effective relationships with external partners
• Undertake the role of Company Director for one or more Council owned companies as required
• Support both Council?s emergency planning arrangements as required at Head of Service level

Functional Responsibilities

• Line manage 1-5 FTEs within the Finance Operations Team and provide performance management which drives high standards of performance and achieves excellent outcomes
• Be responsible for the provision of high quality financial operations and transactions utilising shared resources and aligned processes in the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams
• Be responsible for the timely payment and management of Council debts working collaboratively with service managers and suppliers
• Be responsible for the effective management and collection of sundry debts owed to each Council working collaboratively with service managers and customers
• Be responsible for commissioning and managing both Councils banking contracts and tax advisors
• Be responsible for both Councils VAT arrangements, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and accounting requirements, and providing support and advice to other service areas as required
• Be responsible for the administration and management of third party bank accounts
• Be responsible for commissioning and managing both Councils key Financial Systems and ensuring effective digital integration with other key systems or processes
• Be responsible for the development and implementation of robust financial controls and governance to provide strong stewardship over public money and to protect the financial health of both Councils

Person specification (knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours required in the role)

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Significant experience at Senior Finance Manager level in a Local Authority or similar public body
• Knowledge and understanding of transactional finance processes including debt collection, payments, and financial controls
• In depth experience of working in at least one of the main functions delivered by the Finance Operations team (Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Finance Control, Financial Systems)
• Experience of implementing transformation or change in similar functions

Desirable Knowledge and Experience

• Completed a relevant professional qualification that supports delivery of functional responsibilities (e.g. CIPFA, CIMA, ICM, MBA etc)
• Educated to Degree Level
• Experience of delivering a Finance service within a shared service or to multiple organisations simultaneously
• Experience of successfully managing financial operations in a large complex organisation
• Experience of successfully delivering financial support to front line services
• Experience of managing debt collection activities in a large complex organisation
• Experience of managing effective purchase to pay processes
• Experience of commissioning or managing key Financial Systems
• Experience of successfully managing large teams delivering multiple services to different groups of stakeholders
• Experience of delivering transformation, identifying and implementing digital solutions or using innovation to improve transactional services
• 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)
• Experience of working directly in a strategic capacity with Councillors or elected officials