Finance Director
Posted 1 day ago by Opus People Solutions Ltd
£150,000 Per year
Fixed-Term
Hybrid
West Midlands
Summary: The Finance Director will lead a strategic cost reduction initiative for a West Midlands Council, focusing on delivering a two-year plan aimed at enhancing efficiency and financial discipline. This pivotal role requires collaboration with senior leadership to execute a pre-established budget and delivery plan while navigating complex political environments. The position is a six-month fixed-term contract with a flexible hybrid working arrangement, emphasizing the need for a seasoned financial leader with local government experience. The successful candidate will drive financial transformation and ensure the Council's long-term sustainability.
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, specifically 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.