Head of Financial Planning

Overview

In this role, you will lead the Council’s Financial Planning function to ensure long-term financial stability and resilience as part of a broader transformation in the Finance Directorate. You will shape the Medium-Term Financial Plan and annual budget, influence strategic decisions, and provide expert financial advice to Members and senior officers. The role offers scope to drive improvements across a £4.7bn revenue budget, with significant cross-functional collaboration and political sensitivity. This is a high-impact opportunity to help modernise financial planning for Birmingham’s communities.

Pay / Benefits

• 30 days’ annual leave + bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• hybrid working
• ongoing professional development
• employee wellbeing support
• staff benefits and reward schemes

Responsibilities

• Lead the Financial Planning function including the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP)
• Oversee annual budget setting and corporate financial planning
• Monitor revenue performance and forecasting
• Model funding and income scenarios
• Coordinate government returns and statutory reporting
• Provide strategic financial advice to Members and senior stakeholders
• Support the council’s financial sustainability agenda
• Lead a team with 2 direct and 3 indirect reports

Key requirements

• Qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent)
• Extensive financial planning experience in local government
• Strong understanding of local authority funding, funding formulas and business rates
• Experience influencing strategic decision-making
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proactive, modern approach to financial management and improvement
• Experience leading and developing finance teams
• Ability to challenge, influence and drive better outcomes

• communication
• stakeholder management
• proactivity
• medium-term financial planning
• budget development
• revenue monitoring and forecasting

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