Finance Director
Posted 3 days ago by Opus People Solutions Ltd
Negotiable
Fixed-Term
Hybrid
United Kingdom
Summary: The Finance Director role is a strategic leadership position focused on driving a significant cost reduction initiative within a West Midlands Council. The successful candidate will lead financial transformation efforts, ensuring operational integrity while executing a two-year cost reduction plan. This position requires collaboration with senior leadership to achieve ambitious financial goals amidst a politically sensitive environment. The role is offered as a 6-month fixed-term contract with a flexible hybrid working arrangement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Spearhead the delivery of a strategic, two-year cost reduction plan - targeting efficiencies in key areas, including third-party spend.
- Act as a trusted adviser and strategic partner to the Council's most senior leaders.
- Drive financial discipline, improve performance and foster innovation across departments.
- Deliver rapid but responsible financial change - balancing short-term pressure with long-term sustainability.
- Contribute to the Council's positioning ahead of national local government funding reforms and future multi-year settlements.
Key Skills:
- Extensive experience leading financial turnaround or cost reduction in a large, public sector organisation - must be from a local authority background.
- The gravitas, influence and credibility to engage senior stakeholders and elected members with clarity and confidence.
- Strong technical financial acumen with the ability to convert strategic objectives into measurable, deliverable outcomes.
- A results-driven, pragmatic mindset - able to challenge constructively and ensure delivery under pressure.
- A forward-thinking, solutions-oriented approach to public sector finance.
Salary (Rate): £150,000 yearly
City: West Midlands
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: fixed-term
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: Other
Finance Director - Strategic Cost Reduction Lead
150,000 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract Flexible Hybrid (Monthly On-Site Presence)
Location: West Midlands (Remote with monthly travel)
Lead transformation. Deliver results. Shape the financial future of a forward-thinking West Midlands Council.
A Council in the West Midlands is seeking an experienced and decisive Finance Director to join its senior leadership team at a pivotal time. This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-stakes, high-impact financial turnaround - with a strong mandate for change and clear political support.
Working closely with the Section 151 Officer and Chief Executive, your role will be central to delivering an ambitious, already-underway programme of cost reduction, efficiency, and strategic realignment. With the 2025/26 budget already agreed and the delivery plan established, the next six months will be about execution - accelerating delivery, unlocking savings, and maintaining operational integrity throughout.
The Role
- Spearhead the delivery of a strategic, two-year cost reduction plan - targeting efficiencies in key areas, including third-party spend.
- Act as a trusted adviser and strategic partner to the Council's most senior leaders.
- Drive financial discipline, improve performance and foster innovation across departments.
- Deliver rapid but responsible financial change - balancing short-term pressure with long-term sustainability.
- Contribute to the Council's positioning ahead of national local government funding reforms and future multi-year settlements.
What You Bring
You are a senior financial leader with a strong local government background and a track record of success in complex, politically sensitive environments. You can hit the ground running, shape the direction of financial transformation, and bring people with you.
- Extensive experience leading financial turnaround or cost reduction in a large, public sector organisation - must be from a local authority background.
- The gravitas, influence and credibility to engage senior stakeholders and elected members with clarity and confidence.
- Strong technical financial acumen with the ability to convert strategic objectives into measurable, deliverable outcomes.
- A results-driven, pragmatic mindset - able to challenge constructively and ensure delivery under pressure.
- A forward-thinking, solutions-oriented approach to public sector finance.
This is a unique opportunity to lead from the front - ensuring financial resilience, enabling sustainable services, and supporting the future stability of a Council committed to reform and innovation.
Interested in stepping into this pivotal leadership role?
For a confidential discussion or to express your interest, please feel free to contact me.
