Salary: Competitive

Contract: Permanent

Cumbria has such a lot to offer. We're proud of our heritage, but we're excited about our future. It's a really exciting time, as we're now creating two brand-new unitary councils and we are looking for the key people to help to develop and grow a brand new local authority. By joining us at this critical time you'll be pivotal in shaping the future of the service and the entire organisation

We are looking for an experienced and inspirational candidate to join us as Chief Finance (S151) Officer; someone who can bring energy and commitment to the role, and who is dedicated to delivering quality services that will make a real difference to people's lives.

In this key role, you will be the Council's statutory Section 151 Officer, ensuring that public money is always safeguarded and used appropriately, economically, efficiently, and effectively. The post will provide leadership to the organisation and across the Leadership Team, as well as working closely with Elected members, the Chief Executive, and Monitoring Officer.

You will be a collaborative leader, with a track record in building relationships, leading on transformational change, and delivering service improvements and better outcomes. The successful applicant will lead a broad range of functions that includes leading the direction, operational management, and financial control for the organisation, and shaping the new Council's framework of strategic planning.

The successful candidate will have outstanding communication skills and be able to lead from the front, embedding a customer focussed culture and delivering excellent services to ensure services are better and more cost-effective in the future. We are looking for someone with the right qualities and experience to create a financially balanced and sustainable council, who is committed to delivering quality services to residents and businesses.

It will take a very experienced individual to join our leadership team and help us deliver against our ambitions. As such, we are seeking candidates with experience of working in a complex environment with multiple stakeholders. They will be expected to bring commitment, positive energy, and a clear vision. You will lead an organisation where improvement and innovation is fostered, allowing us to maximise and retain the talent of the council's new workforce and ensure that their wellbeing and development is a priority over the coming months and years. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right person, so if you are talented, motivated, and committed to improving our amazing area, then we would like to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, please contact Chief Executive Designate Andrew Seekings on 07715 010 974

For a confidential discussion about this exciting role, please contact our consultants at CIPFA-Penna: Nick Raper on 07715 690 463 or Rob Naylor on 07922 417 550

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/leadership/cumberland.asp

Closing date: 5pm on Thursday 1^st September 2022

Shortlisting: week commencing 5^th September 2022

Technical interviews: week commencing 5^th September 2022

Final interviews: 15^th or 16^th September 2022