Director, Business Partnering & Support

About The Role

This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of Birmingham City Council’s financial transformation and improvement journey. As Director of Finance, you will be a deputy S151 officer and act as a senior strategic leader, helping to shape the Council’s long‑term financial sustainability during one of the most significant periods of change in local government. You will lead the Council’s Finance Business Partnering and Directorate Support functions, ensuring high‑quality financial advice, robust governance and strong financial control are embedded across the organisation.

Working closely with Executive Directors, Members and senior stakeholders, you will play a central role in driving value for money, improving financial literacy and supporting major transformation programmes across the Council.

• Working with the Executive Director for Finance and the Director of Finance for Corporate Services, you will have a leadership role in delivering a high performing, fit for future finance function.
• Lead the Council’s Finance Business Partnering and Directorate Support functions, ensuring high‑quality strategic financial advice across all Directorates.
• Deputise for the Section 151 Officer, representing Finance at senior officer, Member and governance meetings.
• Drive a culture of financial accountability, value for money and evidence‑based decision making across the organisation.
• Build strong relationships with Executive Directors and senior stakeholders, ensuring Finance is embedded in strategic decision‑making.
• Lead the delivery of forward‑looking financial planning, investment appraisal and financial insight to support organisational priorities.
• Oversee monitoring of the Council’s savings programme, supporting delivery of the Improvement and Recovery Plan.
• Play a key leadership role in the implementation and optimisation of the Oracle Brindley system across Finance services.

• Significant senior leadership experience within Finance in a large, complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of Local Government finance, governance and financial sustainability challenges.
• Proven track record of leading large‑scale transformation, service improvement and organisational change.
• Experience providing strategic financial advice and challenge at Executive and Member level.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing large budgets and complex financial environments.
• Ability to build high‑performing teams and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Politically astute, resilient and confident operating within a fast‑paced and highly visible environment.

• Lead and develop Heads of Finance and wider Directorate finance teams.
• Promote a culture of excellence in financial business partnering and customer‑focused support.
• Strengthen financial literacy and accountability across the Council.
• Drive improvements in financial reporting, forecasting and performance management.
• Support organisational transformation through strategic leadership and partnership working.

• Play a central role in Birmingham City Council’s transformation and recovery journey.
• Influence strategic financial decision‑making at the highest level of the organisation.
• Help shape the future of Finance within Europe’s largest local authority.
• Lead major change programmes that directly impact residents and communities.
• Work alongside senior leaders driving organisational improvement and reform.
• Be part of a forward‑thinking leadership team focused on innovation and value for money.
• Make a lasting impact on the financial sustainability and future direction of the Council.

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one.

Applicants will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and must provide proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with UK Home Office requirements before any employment offer can be confirmed.