Finance Director

Finance Director - Strategic Cost Reduction Lead

£150,000 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract Flexible Hybrid (Monthly On-Site Presence)
Location: West Midlands (Remote with monthly travel)

Lead transformation. Deliver results. Shape the financial future of a forward-thinking West Midlands Council.

A Council in the West Midlands is seeking an experienced and decisive Finance Director to join its senior leadership team at a pivotal time. This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-stakes, high-impact financial turnaround - with a strong mandate for change and clear political support.

Working closely with the Section 151 Officer and Chief Executive, your role will be central to delivering an ambitious, already-underway programme of cost reduction, efficiency, and strategic realignment. With the 2025/26 budget already agreed and the delivery plan established, the next six months will be about execution - accelerating delivery, unlocking savings, and maintaining operational integrity throughout.

The Role

• Spearhead the delivery of a strategic, two-year cost reduction plan - targeting efficiencies in key areas, including third-party spend.
• Act as a trusted adviser and strategic partner to the Council's most senior leaders.
• Drive financial discipline, improve performance and foster innovation across departments.
• Deliver rapid but responsible financial change - balancing short-term pressure with long-term sustainability.
• Contribute to the Council's positioning ahead of national local government funding reforms and future multi-year settlements.

What You Bring

You are a senior financial leader with a strong local government background and a track record of success in complex, politically sensitive environments. You can hit the ground running, shape the direction of financial transformation, and bring people with you.

• Extensive experience leading financial turnaround or cost reduction in a large, public sector organisation - must be from a local authority background.
• The gravitas, influence and credibility to engage senior stakeholders and elected members with clarity and confidence.
• Strong technical financial acumen with the ability to convert strategic objectives into measurable, deliverable outcomes.
• A results-driven, pragmatic mindset - able to challenge constructively and ensure delivery under pressure.
• A forward-thinking, solutions-oriented approach to public sector finance.

This is a unique opportunity to lead from the front - ensuring financial resilience, enabling sustainable services, and supporting the future stability of a Council committed to reform and innovation.

Interested in stepping into this pivotal leadership role?
For a confidential discussion or to express your interest, please feel free to contact me.