Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is passionate about providing high-quality services to our communities, residents and businesses. This means we must employ and retain the most talented and dedicated people.
Situated within the heart of the Cambridge-Peterborough Growth Area, Huntingdonshire is a beautiful district that boasts thriving market towns and many attractive villages, each with its own identity. We are an innovative and forward-thinking local authority whose residents are at the heart of our decision-making.
At HDC we want to employ staff who embody our icare values (Inspiring, Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful, Enterprising), all of which support our ultimate purpose of putting our customers first.
Job details
We are on the lookout for an exceptional and strategic leader to fill the vital role of Corporate Director - Finance & Resources (S151). Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this position is crucial to our unwavering commitment to deliver outstanding services to our residents, businesses, and visitors.
About the role
In this highly visible leadership position, you will not only focus on financial planning, management, and controls but also oversee a comprehensive portfolio that includes Finance, HR, Internal Audit, Risk and Controls, Facilities Management, Democratic Services, and Commercial Estates.
You’ll be at the forefront of shaping the council’s vision, ensuring financial resilience, and cultivating partnerships that drive public value. Your leadership will be instrumental in transforming political aspirations into actionable policies, while championing continuous improvement and innovation across all service areas.
You will play a crucial role in our strategic growth agenda, recognising the fiscal significance of attracting new investments to the district and the economic benefits that ensue for our residents. You will spearhead a review of current operational practices, identifying opportunities to enhance service delivery while maximising the use of personnel, technology, and innovative service models to ensure exceptional customer experiences and value for money.
About you
Bringing a wealth of experience in public sector corporate leadership, you are a CCAB-qualified professional with a proven history of managing intricate budgets and guiding diverse teams toward significant organisational transformation. Whether you are an established S151 officer or a D151 ready to step up, your adeptness at navigating the political landscape with sensitivity and insight positions you as a trusted advisor to elected officials.
You are dedicated to fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and respect, reflecting the council's core values in all aspects of your work. Your strategic mindset and commitment to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable groups align perfectly with our mission to serve the community and uphold local democracy.
Your expertise will be essential in shaping the council’s approach to risk management, ensuring robust governance and accountability arrangements underpin our initiatives. Your commercial acumen will be fully leveraged as we evaluate our commercial strategy, ensuring sound investments and a positive return on existing assets. You’ll provide valuable insights on the viability of 'invest to save' programmes, supporting long-term, well-informed decision-making.
This role is ideal for an individual with a deep understanding of the local government landscape, complemented by proven financial management expertise and an accounting qualification. Your background has equipped you with keen commercial awareness tailored for the public sector, along with a strong appreciation for operating within a political environment. Exceptional people and resource management skills are essential, enabling you to inspire, develop, and retain top talent within our organisation.
We are acutely aware that this is a crucial period in the local government planning and budget-setting cycle. With that in mind, we recognise the demands on senior finance professionals across the sector and are therefore flexible regarding the start date - we are prepared to wait until April 2026 for the right candidate to join us.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, check out this video from Michelle Sacks, CEO!
If you are ready to take on this challenging and rewarding role to make a substantial impact and lead with integrity, we encourage you to apply for this transformative opportunity and join us in shaping the future of Huntingdonshire.
An offer of employment is conditional upon having the right to work in the UK. HDC does not hold a Sponsorship Licence and is unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or take over sponsorship for any role.
Apply
The closing date is 9am 17 November 2025, with virtual technical interviews taking place on either 1 or 2 December. The final in-person assessment centre will take place on 11 December 2025.
However, this is a rolling campaign and we'll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and will close the advert early should we receive suitable applications, so please don't delay in applying!
For many of our roles (and where it is possible), we are currently working remotely and anticipate returning to a hybrid office model on a flexible basis. This will still include work from home and flexi-time opportunities in order to provide a good work-life balance whilst still ensuring that teams benefit from in person interaction. Candidates should therefore be within commutable distance of our offices in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire or able to attend meetings as required if further afield.
Should you have any additional questions regarding submitting an application, please contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@huntingdonshire.gov.uk.
Please note that the official closing date is as above, and will be the correct date. Some third-party websites may have different dates. Please refer to the HDC website for the official closing date to ensure you do not miss out on applying.
Working for the council
As an employer who values diversity of thought, we seek to employ candidates from a range of backgrounds in order to make our organisation more innovative. We are seeking candidates who are looking for their next career opportunity and are supportive employers, enabling our staff to work in an environment that produces high standards of work in an employee-led environment.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our recruitment and along with our values we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community and we offer a range of benefits, including flexitime, to encourage a work-life balance.
View our benefits.