Deputy Head of Business Resources

Wokingham have ambitious plans for the next few years: these include the regeneration of several town centre sites covering approximately 8 hectares, ensuring that all Borough assets are fit for the 21st Century. Our long term vision is to make Wokingham an excellent place to live and work, where residents feel valued and the Council promotes economic growth with good quality of life and opportunity for all.

Job Purpose:

The Deputy Head of Business Resources will provide robust, informed, accurate financial advice and support to Community Care and Children's Services in order to meet our priorities and vision.

To support the Head of Business Resources in providing strategic financial management support to the host departments ensuring the appropriate operation of financial processes, facilitating provision of accurate and timely financial information for budget setting, budget monitoring and final accounts, ensuring that financial development needs are met, assisting in the overall management of the devolved finance units and deputising as necessary for the Head of Business Resources. Management of defined areas of the Unit and the accounting processes are the specific areas of responsibilities for this post.

• To support the host departments in the development of key strategic policies and partnerships by ensuring that there are robust financial and management policies to support effective delivery of services whilst minimising risk corporately and departmentally
• Responsible for the staff management of 30 in finance with 3 direct reports
• To provide support and challenge as appropriate to locally based budget holders and their teams and ensure daily monitoring of operational and staffing budgets
• Plan and manage the production of budgets, budget monitoring and financial accounts reports ensuring appropriate consultation with budget holders to meet the time and content needs of the General Managers of the Business Services, Children's Services and Community Care Services
• Recommend with the Head of Business Resources budget strategy options
• As the Deputy Head of Business Resources liaise with Government Departments, support the Schools Forum and responsible for best practice within the department
• Deciding what information senior managers and elected members require both in direct reports and in checking that all policy development, growth and savings reports identify the resource implications
• Ensuring the service operates to provide the integrated range of financial services and the work plan to deliver this

Skills

• Fully qualified accountant (CCAB) with significant post qualification experience in a large multi-disciplined environment
• Experienced in the accounting for large organisations funded through complex funding streams
• Experienced in managing large teams, including staff motivation and team building within a performance management framework
• A track record of strong project management and interpersonal and presentation skills
• Vision to think strategically and see the large picture while giving appropriate attention to detail
• Ability to interpret complex financial and policy frameworks and options and explain in a clear and persuasive way
• Experience in using, assessing, evaluating and contributing to initiation of developments in computer systems, preferably Oracle, and an understanding of business process re-engineering opportunities
• Able to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Able to solve problems through creativity and work to tight deadlines

Benefits: 

• 30 days annual holiday
• Final salary pension scheme
• Relocation package
• Free parking
• Staff restaurant
• Professional and friendly working environment

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