Senior Finance Leadership Opportunities

Lead the future of financial reporting. Set the standard for excellence.

This is your opportunity to act as the Council's lead technical accounting expert, influencing decision-making at the highest level, oversee the production of statutory accounts and drive continuous improvement across the corporate finance function. 

You'll lead the preparation and delivery of the Council's annual Statement of Accounts, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely publication.  

Providing strategic leadership for all aspects of technical accounting, financial reporting and statutory returns and acting as the Council's principal adviser on accounting standards, CIPFA requirements, IFRS developments and local government financial reporting regulations. 

Leading on the management of the annual external audit process, coordinating the Council's response to audit findings.  

You'll interpret complex accounting standards, act as principal adviser on technical accounting, and oversee the integrity of the general ledger and financial systems. 

But this role is about more than technical excellence. You'll be the council's operational relationship manager for internal and external audit, ensuring findings are implemented and controls are continuously strengthened. You'll lead and develop a team of finance professionals – coaching, mentoring, and inspiring them to deliver at their best.

The reality of the role: 

Nottingham's accounts have been brought up to date, but all recent sets were disclaimed due to the lack of time for auditors to obtain adequate assurance. While a national problem, the past legacy of two separate Section 114 decisions means the council expects a detailed audit that will review past years' transactions. With the Government setting out a minimum three-year path back to unmodified accounts, this is your opportunity to lead the council through that journey – strengthening the corporate finance function and restoring full audit confidence. 

You'll be the go-to expert that senior stakeholders turn to for complex accounting advice. You'll influence decision-making at the highest level. And you'll leave behind a legacy of financial integrity that will serve this city for years to come.

You'll bring: An acknowledged expert in local government accounting, financial reporting and audit. Significant experience leading the preparation and audit of statutory accounts in a large, complex organisation; deep technical knowledge of the CIPFA Code of Practice and IFRS; and the leadership skills to inspire a high-performing team. CCAB qualified with evidence of continuing professional development.

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Shape how we invest in tomorrow. Build a sustainable future for Nottingham

The Head of Capital and Treasury is a senior finance leadership role responsible for providing strategic leadership for the Council's capital programme, treasury management, borrowing and investment activities. The postholder will ensure that capital resources are planned, financed and managed effectively to support the Council's strategic priorities whilst maintaining financial sustainability and regulatory compliance. 

Working closely with Corporate Directors, Executive Members, the Section 151 Officer and external partners, the role will lead the development of the Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy and associated investment programmes, ensuring robust governance, affordability and value for money. 

The postholder will act as the principal financial advisor on capital investment, infrastructure projects, regeneration schemes, asset management and treasury matters, supporting informed decision-making and long-term financial resilience. 

Acting as the Council's principal financial adviser on capital investment, infrastructure projects, regeneration schemes, asset management and treasury matters. 

You'll lead the development and of the Council's Capital Strategy, Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy. 

Providing strategic leadership for treasury management, borrowing, investments, cash management and capital financing investment risk, and corporate governance – managing relationships with external fund managers, overseeing cashflow forecasts and lending limits, and ensuring every investment decision is underpinned by robust due diligence. 

The reality of the role: 

 Nottingham has undergone one of the most dramatic debt reductions in local government. Our external debt has fallen from £932.8m in 2021 to £435.7m by March 2026 – a 53.3% reduction. The Capital Financing Requirement has reduced by 17.1%, from £1,411.0m to £1,169.2m. The council repaid £287m of long-term loans during 2025/26. The capital programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30 stands at £746.779m, funded entirely from grants, capital receipts, revenue contributions, and reserves – with no borrowing. Your challenge will be to manage this programme within a fully funded envelope, ensuring the council continues to invest in its priorities while maintaining the discipline that has restored financial credibility. 

Your work will shape how the council funds its ambitions – ensuring that every pound we invest delivers maximum value for residents. You'll be influencing the direction of capital investment across the city. And you'll build and lead a team that shares your commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation.

You'll bring: Clear capital finance, Treasury and investment management with risk management competencies; detailed knowledge of financial regulations; and the ability to influence strategic direction across a range of services. CCAB qualified with evidence of continuing professional development.

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Design the financial future of the council. Turn vision into reality.

The Head of Financial Strategy is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic financial leadership, advice and challenge across the organisation. Working closely with Corporate Directors, Strategic Directors, the Section 151 Officer, senior stakeholders and Finance Colleagues, the postholder will lead the development of the Council's medium and long-term financial strategy, ensuring that financial resources are aligned to corporate priorities, statutory obligations and sustainable service delivery. 

The role will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, supporting strategic decision-making, organisational transformation, service redesign, major investment decisions and the achievement of the Council Plan.  

The postholder will lead a high-performing strategic finance function that delivers robust financial planning, financial analysis and decision support across all directorates. 

This is your opportunity to lead the development and delivery of the Council's Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), budget strategy and long-term financial sustainability plans. You'll provide strategic financial advice to the Chief Executive, Corporate Directors, Executive Members and senior leadership teams, develop financial models and scenario analyses to understand the impact of future service demands, legislative changes, and other factors on the council's financial envelope.  

Support the development and implementation of corporate priorities through effective financial planning and resource allocation. 

Lead financial modelling and scenario analysis to support strategic decision-making and organisational resilience. 

Ensure that financial strategies support the Council's transformation, improvement and modernisation programmes. 

Working closely with the Head of Capital and Treasury to manage and coordinate the council's overall funding position across capital and revenue funds – and instigate, develop, and support the attainment of alternative sources of funding. 

Working closely with the Strategic Business Partners to provide leadership and guidance on the medium-term financial implications of policy changes, helping the council navigate an increasingly complex public finance landscape. You'll be one of the strategic voices that helps senior leaders understand not just where we are financially, but where we need to go – and how we'll get there. 

You'll be joining at a pivotal moment. The council has set a balanced budget for 2026/27 with a forecast surplus of £1.063m and a net budget requirement of £419.858m. We've delivered a £20.4m net underspend in 2025/26, did not require Exceptional Financial Support, and have reduced debt from £827m to £292m in six years. But significant pressures remain.

The reality of the role: 

the medium-term picture is challenging. The council has identified £11.948m in new savings for 2026/27 but will need to identify at least £50m over the MTFP period. This is because Local Government Reorganisation will likely mean fewer savings can be delivered in the latter years due to organisational capacity. 

This is a role for a leader who can see the big picture, connect the dots between policy and finance, and inspire others to deliver. You'll work across the organisation, building relationships and influencing at every level. 

You'll bring: Significant experience of providing financial advice at executive level in a large, complex public sector organisation; a proven track record of leading the development and delivery of a council-wide MTFP; and strong understanding of local government finance, governance and statutory requirements. CCAB qualified with evidence of continuing professional development.

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Shape the strategy. Influence the frontline. Lead the partnership.

📍 Nottingham / Hybrid
💰 Salary: SLMG 3 (£72,917 - £81,700)
🏢 Finance & Resources Directorate
Reports to: Director of Finance Strategy

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Influence at the highest level. Impact at the frontline.

At Nottingham City Council, finance isn't just about numbers – it's about making decisions that shape services, support communities, and deliver real change for 331,077 residents. Our Strategic Business Partners operate at the most senior level of the organisation as trusted partners embedded in the decision-making process.

This is a role for an experienced finance leader who understands that great business partnering isn't about producing reports – it's about shaping strategy, influencing outcomes, and driving change. As our Strategic Finance Business Partner for Adults Social Care and Health, you'll work directly with the Corporate Executive Director for ASCH and their senior leadership team, providing the financial insight and strategic challenge that enables the directorate to deliver for our communities.

ASCH is one of the council's largest and most complex service areas. Like all councils across the country, Nottingham faces significant budget pressures in this space. This role is at the heart of meeting that challenge – ensuring financial sustainability while protecting the services that our most vulnerable residents depend on.

About the Role

As a Strategic Finance Business Partner, you'll be a member of the finance service management team. You'll help discharge section 151 responsibilities, supporting the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources and the Directors of Finance in managing an integrated finance function across the Council. At times, you'll deputise for the Director of Finance or s151 officer on certain projects or at meetings.

You'll lead and effectively motivate a team of Business Partners, providing coaching, mentoring, training, professional development opportunities, and appropriate performance management. You'll ensure that relevant financial information is communicated to executive leads across the council in a way that enhances their ability to make effective service delivery decisions.

The reality of the role: Nottingham's adult social care budget is forecast to rise from £126.9m in 2026/27 to £167.8m by 2029/30 – a 32% increase driven by demand, complexity of need, and market pressures. The council has set a balanced budget for 2026/27 with a £1.063m surplus, but the MTFP projects a cumulative budget gap of £37.107m over four years. The council has identified £11.948m in new savings for 2026/27, with £3.429m cumulative savings from ASCH over the MTFP period.

This is not a role for someone who wants to simply report the numbers. You'll be in the room when difficult decisions are made to address these gaps. You'll help shape the strategies that enable the council to meet rising demand within constrained resources. And you'll be the trusted adviser that senior leaders turn to when they need to understand the financial implications of their choices.

For more information on Business Partnering at Nottingham City Council, please refer to our Business Partnering Page. 

Business Partnering Webpage

Your Influence and Responsibility

• Strategic influence: You'll advise the Corporate Executive Director for Adults Social Care and Health and their senior leadership team – shaping the strategic direction of one of the council's largest directorates.
• Financial stewardship: You'll provide strategic financial advice, insight, and intelligence to ensure best use of limited resources.
• Team leadership: You'll manage and develop a team of Business Partners, building capability and driving performance.
• Improvement: You'll lead initiatives to modernise financial processes and drive innovation.

What You'll Lead and Influence

• Oversight over the financial processes and procedures that enable effective budgetary control and value for money within ASCH.
• The analysis, communication, escalation and resolution of financial pressures within ASCH including demand management.
• Advising the s151 officer on funding, financial management and accounting requirements (both capital and revenue) within ASCH.
• Sustainable ASCH service delivery through effective financial advice and support from your team.
• The development and motivation of a team of finance professionals.

Who We're Looking For

You're an experienced, qualified accountant who combines local government business partnering expertise with the ability to influence, inspire, and drive change. You thrive on complexity, think at scale, and have the gravitas to shape decisions at the highest level. You don't just report what happened – you help shape what happens next.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience of providing financial advice at executive level in a large, complex organisation.
• A proven track record of Business Partnering/providing sound financial advice to senior stakeholders, preferably in the ASCH space.
• Extensive experience in the budget management and budget-setting process.
• The ability to influence strategic direction across a range of services.
• CCAB qualified with evidence of continuing professional development.

You'll also bring the behaviours that make a great local government finance leader:

• Influencing skills – you can challenge constructively, persuade without authority, and bring people with you.
• A risk-aware, not risk-averse approach – you instinctively spot financial risks and control weaknesses early, but focus on managing those risks rather than shutting down progress entirely.
• The ability to lead under difficult circumstances – you remain calm under pressure during high-stakes situations, and you have a natural instinct to mentor and coach those around you.
• A pragmatic, innovative approach – you proactively look for ways to automate, simplify, and optimise reporting and system usage.
• Political astuteness – you understand the friction between political aspirations and financial realities, and you have the confidence to constructively challenge when required.
• A mission-driven, public service orientation – you're genuinely motivated by stewardship and the assurance that every pound of taxpayer money is maximised to best serve the community.

Why Nottingham, Why Now?

Few councils have undergone a change of this scale. Having rebuilt financial resilience and restored confidence, we're now focused on long-term excellence.

Nottingham's financial recovery has been remarkable. In November 2023, the council issued a Section 114 notice. By early 2026, the government confirmed its intention to scale back intervention, acknowledging the significant progress made. The council delivered a £20.4m net underspend in 2025/26, did not require Exceptional Financial Support, and set a balanced budget for 2026/27. Debt has fallen from £827m to £292m in six years.

But the next phase is harder. Adult social care remains the single biggest pressure on the council's finances, with budgets forecast to rise by 32% over the MTFP period. The council must continue to deliver savings while investing in services. It must manage the financial implications of Local Government Reorganisation while maintaining day-to-day financial control.

The Strategic Finance Business Partner for ASCH will be at the centre of this work – developing the financial strategies, building the relationships, and providing the insight that will shape Nottingham's adult social care services for years to come.

This role offers the opportunity to shape major strategic decisions and help design the future of public finance in Nottingham.

We Offer

• Local Government Pension Scheme – one of the most generous in the country.
• Hybrid working – flexibility to balance office and home.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Ongoing learning and development.
• A supportive, inclusive culture.
• Up to 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays increasing with time served.
• Professional subscriptions paid.
• Employee wellbeing support.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We are proud to be an inclusive employer where everyone is valued and respected. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve.

We particularly welcome applications from:

• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
• LGBT+ communities.
• Disabled people.

♿ Disability Confident Employer – guaranteed interview scheme available
🎖️ Armed Forces Covenant signatory

Ready to lead at the forefront of public finance?

If you're an experienced leader who thrives on challenge and wants to shape the future of public finance, we want to hear from you.

Shape the future of public finance. Lead here.

Please send your CV and SUPPORTING STATEMENT to resourcingsupport@nottinghamcity.gov.uk  

Interview Dates - TBC

For informal enquiries, please contact: Larry Seymour, Finance Transformation Lead - larry.seymour@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

To note –applications WITHOUT both a CV and SUPPORTING STATEMENT will not be accepted and only applications sent to this email address will be considered for interview.