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
Huntingdonshire District Council is seeking a Head of Finance (Deputy S151 Officer) to provide strategic leadership in the financial management of the council, ensuring financial sustainability, transparency, and robust governance as we work to deliver our ambitious priorities for the district.
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to lead the financial strategy of an innovative, forward-thinking, financially sound local authority in a rapidly growing region. You will play a key role in supporting the corporate leadership team in delivering high-quality services, ensuring the financial health of the council and driving long-term strategic objectives.
About Huntingdonshire
Located in the heart of the Cambridge-Peterborough Growth Area, Huntingdonshire is a beautiful and thriving district with vibrant market towns and villages. As an ambitious and progressive council, we are committed to improving the quality of life for residents and businesses while focusing on sustainable growth, innovation, and community well-being. We are dedicated to placing residents at the centre of our decision-making, shaping a future where all parts of our community can thrive.
The role
As Head of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer), you will be an integral member of the Head of Service cohort and responsible for overseeing the financial management and strategy for the council.
You will lead a highly skilled and motivated team, ensuring that we continue to provide exceptional financial governance, support and insight across the organisation. Your leadership will help shape the future of the district by driving the financial strategy and aligning it with the council’s broader vision for growth and prosperity.
Key responsibilities include:
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Acting as the Deputy Section 151 Officer, overseeing statutory financial reporting, including the annual financial statement and budget setting processes.
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Leading a financial control and exchequer service that provides robust financial systems and strong internal controls.
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Developing and implementing a medium-term financial strategy that reflects the council's objectives, political priorities and risk profile.
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Providing strategic financial leadership across the council’s services, ensuring the effective allocation of resources to achieve corporate objectives.
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Identifying and evaluating opportunities for financial efficiency, income generation, and cost savings.
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Supporting parishes and community organisations with their financial delivery options and providing expert advice to Members and senior leaders.
About you
We are looking for an experienced leader with a professional finance qualification and a proven track record in financial management, ideally in the public sector, who is passionate about delivering high-quality services and managing complex financial systems.
You will bring:
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Extensive knowledge of local government finance, including financial planning, governance and compliance.
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A strategic mindset with the ability to balance long-term financial planning with immediate operational needs.
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Proven experience in managing large, complex financial services and teams, with a focus on high performance and accountability.
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Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team.
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The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders and elected Members.
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A commitment to transparency, good governance and the continuous improvement of financial systems and practices.
Why join us?
At Huntingdonshire District Council, you will be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team that is committed to making a real difference in the lives of residents and businesses. We offer a supportive environment where innovation is encouraged and your leadership will shape the future of the district.
This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the success and sustainability of Huntingdonshire, we are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
An offer of employment is conditional upon having the right to work in the UK. Huntingdonshire District Council does not hold a Sponsorship Licence and is unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or take over sponsorship for any role.
View the job description [PDF, 0.2MB].
Apply
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 (where it is possible) we accommodate a hybrid model of working. We know our people are what make Huntingdonshire District Council great and recognise how important a healthy work–life balance is. Our hybrid work model enables employees to work remotely whilst allowing for in-office collaboration opportunities across the district. 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.