Head of Finance

Head of Finance Location: NW London Contract: Temporary (6 months) Salary: £650 per day umbrella / £565.56 PAYE Inclusive / £504.65 PAYE Exclusive Start Date: ASAP Contact: rachel.burgess@servicecare.org.uk

Job Description

Service Care Solutions are recruiting on behalf of a local authority in London for a Head of Finance to join the team on a temporary basis. The postholder will provide strategic financial leadership, robust financial planning, financial sustainability and effective performance management across a range of complex revenue budgets and service areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership and trusted advice to Members, Directors and senior managers, offering effective financial challenge across complex services.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and management accounting, ensuring strong financial control and sustainable revenue budgets.
• Provide financial leadership on major strategic contracts, including waste, recycling and street cleansing, with a focus on performance, compliance and value for money.
• Deliver clear financial insight and performance reporting, identifying risks, pressures and opportunities and supporting timely action.
• Support transformation, savings, income generation and continuous improvement, working with service leaders to identify efficiencies and manage financial risks.

Candidate Criteria

• CCAB-qualified accountant or equivalent, with significant senior-level experience in a complex organisation; substantial local government or public-sector finance experience is desirable.
• Proven strategic financial leadership across multiple directorates, complex revenue budgets and demand- or contract-driven services.
• Strong expertise in financial planning, budget management, governance, risk and performance improvement, with the ability to turn complex information into clear strategic advice.
• Strong senior stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to influence Directors, Members, senior managers and service leads in a politically and operationally complex environment.