Head of Finance - Adult Social Care

About the role

As a Head of Finance within the Service Finance and Business Partnering Division, you will manage a team of accountants and play a pivotal role in guiding the Adult Social Care Directorate through all aspects of strategic financial management.

You will provide comprehensive financial advice and direction, support budget-setting and monitoring, and ensure the effective closure of directorate accounts. You will also drive financial planning, help identify savings and strategies to mitigate pressures, and support transformation projects by delivering timely, robust financial information to enable informed decision-making.

This role also involves ensuring compliance with the Council's financial policies, supporting senior management in budget management, and helping to shape the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). You will lead financial modelling for demand-led services, promote a culture of self-service budget management, and contribute to statutory accounting and external audit processes. Building strong working relationships both within the Finance Directorate and with external stakeholders, you will also help shape the Corporate Finance Training and Development Programme, fostering growth and excellence across the service.

Key Responsibilities Financial Leadership and Strategic Support

• Lead and manage a Finance Team within the Service Finance and Business Partnering Division, providing strategic financial direction, support, and guidance.
• Support directorates with budget-setting, monitoring, reporting, and closing of accounts, identifying savings and strategies to mitigate pressures.
• Provide high-quality financial advice and robust financial planning to ensure service needs are reflected in the Council's MTFS.
• Support senior management and budget holders to meet their accountabilities for budget management and ensure compliance with Financial Standing Orders and financial policies.
• Lead financial modelling for demand-led budgets and use service data to inform long-term financial planning and MTFS decision-making.
• Support the Corporate Director of Finance and Corporate Finance Team in delivering the Council's overall strategic financial objectives.

Transformation and Business Partnering

• Provide financial leadership for transformation and business-led projects, ensuring robust and timely financial information underpins decision-making.
• Drive budget realignment to deliver savings targets and report on timing differences in delivery.
• Support business case development and ensure budgets and forecasts reflect operational and transformation priorities.

Financial Management and Compliance

• Ensure adherence to all Council financial regulations, standing orders and statutory accounting requirements.
• Contribute to the external audit process and ensure legislative changes with financial implications are implemented effectively.
• Maintain effective working relationships within the Finance Directorate to support production of strategic financial information, financial plans and corporate reporting.
• Oversee financial controls and compliance, promoting efficiency, value for money and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders, government bodies and professional organisations.
• Provide constructive financial challenge and support to services to improve decision-making and financial sustainability.
• Coordinate the Corporate Finance training and development programme, including graduate and non graduate apprenticeship schemes.

About You

You'll bring significant experience in strategic financial management and business partnering within a complex organisation, ideally in the public sector. You'll be confident in leading teams, managing competing priorities and providing clear, evidence based financial advice to senior stakeholders.

Your ability to model and interpret complex financial information, drive transformation and maintain strong compliance standards will be key to your success.

Why Join Us

This is a high impact leadership role where you'll help shape the Council's financial strategy and play a central role in ensuring sustainable services for residents. You'll be part of a collaborative, forward thinking finance team that values professionalism, innovation and continuous improvement.

About us

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work life balance, financial wellbeing, health and professional development.

Benefits

• Flexible Working Hours - We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week - Enjoy a standard 36 hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement - increasing with length of service (for non casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure - Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work - Eco friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme - access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefit - Access a variety of offers and discounts through the Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services - Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24 hour confidential advice and counselling as well as legal advice for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support - Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a 'per application' basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre employment screening:

• Basic DBS Check
• Qualifications Check
• 3 years of Referencing

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.