Finance Manager (Children's Services) Cheshire East Council has an exciting opportunity for an experienced and ambitious professional to join our finance leadership team as a Finance Manager (Children’s Services). Our Finance Team provides financial management, reporting, accountancy and advice to directors, heads of service, budget holders, elected Members and stakeholders across the full range of services delivered by the Council. We are seeking a ‘ finance leader of the future ’ – if you are looking to take the next step on your journey to being a finance director/ S151 Officer, we can offer excellent prospects for realising your aspirations at Cheshire East Council. Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we are able to offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities. At Cheshire East Council we are working for a brighter future – together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities. If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you. As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future - together. Brighter Future www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/employee-benefits.aspx Cheshire East Finance has great track record of training and support for staff and providing opportunities for personal career development. Reporting to the Director of Finance (Deputy S151 Officer), as a Finance Manager you will be the main contact for the Executive Director (Children’s Services) and Service Directors, leading a high-performing team passionate about finance business partnering for social care and education services, and delivering a comprehensive range of financial management and accountancy functions. Cheshire East, like many other local authorities, is facing unprecedented challenges in terms of increasing demand for services and rising costs. A Council-wide transformation programme is underway to help us become stronger and more flexible, so we can deliver our vital services better and continue to support those who need it most. Finance Managers play a key role in supporting managers to deliver financially sustainable services through the provision of high quality financial information and advice. About You You must be able to demonstrate the following essential requirements: Qualified Accountant (member CIPFA, CIMA, or other CCAB body) Expert knowledge and experience of best practice in financial planning, management and reporting, and emerging trends and innovations in local authority financial management Expert knowledge of finance and accounting legislation and relevant national and local policy and strategy, including the Council’s Constitution and its Finance Procedure Rules, and the statutory reporting requirements of public and private sector accounting and financial reporting standards Knowledge of all Council services, their service proposition and their impact on local residents and businesses Expert knowledge of staff management and development of multi-functional teams and developing clear work programmes for individuals and teams Processes for key reports and decisions Knowledge of project management processes and how to apply the financial consequences to a complex array of projects and programmes Knowledge of VAT and other relevant taxation regimes Evidence of personal commitment to continuous professional development What we can offer you Hybrid Working we offer a flexible approach to work that involves a hybrid of office-based and flexible/ home working. New employees will be required to be office-based for the first 3 months of their employment, working in Delamere House, Crewe, in order to facilitate effective induction and training, and integration with the team. Importantly, along with significant opportunities for working from home, in-person, collaborative team-working is a fundamental feature of ‘how we do things’, and is an essential requirement on an ongoing basis, as required, to meet the needs of our service. Competitive Salary with a pay award pending. Flexible Working Pattern – 37 hours per week, with up to 18 days flexible leave per annum. Annual Leave – 26 days (plus bank holidays) up to 31 days after 5 years service. CONTACTING US If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact Paul Goodwin, Deputy S151 Officer at paul.goodwincheshireeast.gov.uk Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however please do not be discouraged from applying again. For any technical enquiries please email sourcingteamecwip.co.uk Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.