Associate Director - Finance

Job Description

6 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an Associate Director – Finance to lead the Finance function, including Revenues, Benefits, and Debt Management. This senior executive role involves strategic leadership, statutory responsibilities as Deputy Section 151 Officer, and oversight of transformation initiatives to modernise services, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experience. The postholder will provide visible leadership, ensure robust financial management, and model high standards of governance, probity, and ethical conduct across the Council.

• Lead and manage Finance, Revenues, Benefits, and Debt Management teams to deliver efficient, compliant, and customer-focused services.
• Support the Director and Council’s Top Leaders Group in organisational transformation, including maximising technology and automation.
• Deliver medium- to long-term financial planning, budgetary control, and performance optimisation across the Council.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders and Members, ensuring evidence-based decision-making and effective operational delivery.
• Design and implement a new financial operating model, embedding business partnering and promoting efficiency, transparency, and value for money.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and professional standards, fulfilling the Deputy Section 151 Officer role.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture within teams and across the Council.
• Contribute to corporate resilience, emergency planning, and business continuity.
• Manage designated budgets, monitor performance, and support operational transformation aligned with the Council Plan.

• Extensive senior leadership experience in large, complex organisations, preferably local authorities.
• Proven expertise in medium-term financial planning, financial management, and statutory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of local government finance, including benefits administration, debt management, and financial regulations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, driving performance improvement, and embedding organisational change.
• Track record in service redesign, operational transformation, and delivering customer-focused services.
• Political awareness, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• High standards of governance, probity, and ethical conduct underpinned by the Nolan Principles.
• Excellent communication, relationship management, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Resilient, flexible, self-motivated, and able to work under pressure.

• Driving licence required with business use insurance; valid MOT for vehicles over 3 years old.