Finance Manager - Schools; Interim

Role Overview

Bristol City Council is looking for an interim member of staff with expertise in schools funding to progress the following challenges:

• The council’s response to the Local SEND Reform Plan which will include assisting in more detailed modelling on the impact of recent reforms and ensuring that the council’s financial systems are set up to monitor and deliver the new funding.
• Improving the council’s monitoring of High Needs spending including developing clearer accountability for spend on Alternative Learning Provision, Education Other Than At School and Elective Home Education to ensure that all spend is more closely monitored and reported.
• Developing the council’s policy on budgetary deficits in schools, early years providers and further education establishments so that the risk of deficits is reduced and, where they do occur, the council has a robust process in place.

The new member of staff will work within a high-performing team of permanent members who have a high level of familiarity with the issues but insufficient capacity to address them. The role is likely to be for six months initially but there may be scope to extend.

The successful candidate will have experience in schools funding from a local authority perspective and a history of resolving issues like those described above. They will also have experience of working with senior stakeholders on complex issues and providing clear and simple recommendations while working independently. They will likely need to attend the office, in central Bristol, around once a week.