Associate Director for Financial Management/deputy Section 151 Officer

Dudley is entering an important new chapter. We are a borough with proud communities, strong partnerships and significant ambition, and we are determined to build a council that is financially resilient, well governed, modern and focused on delivering better outcomes for our residents.

These are pivotal appointments at the heart of that ambition. Together, the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) and Associate Director for Finance Management/deputy Section 151 Officer will provide the leadership, stewardship and professional expertise required to strengthen our financial position and support our continued improvement.

As Director of Finance/s151, you will play a central role in shaping the future direction of the organisation, ensuring that our resources, services and strategies are aligned to the priorities that matter most to local people. You will be the Council’s principal financial adviser, leading with credibility and clarity, and ensuring the highest standards of governance, resilience and accountability.

As Associate Director for Finance Management/deputy Section 151 Officer, you will be a critical partner in this leadership, supporting the ongoing improvement of the Council’s financial management while taking responsibility for key areas of the finance function. You will help translate strategy into delivery, strengthen financial capability across the organisation and ensure robust operational leadership that underpins confident decision-making.

These roles go far beyond traditional finance. They offer a unique opportunity to influence strategic decision-making at the highest level, to build confidence in our financial management, and to lead a programme of continuous improvement that will enable Dudley to become a sustainable and consistently high-performing council.

You will join a developing senior leadership team with a shared commitment to improvement, collaboration and impact. Working closely with elected members, the Chief Executive, Corporate Management Team and partners, you will help embed a true ‘One Council’ approach—bringing together strong governance, clear priorities, high-quality services and the intelligent use of data, technology and resources.

We are looking for exceptional leaders with the professional credibility, judgement and ambition to operate confidently in a complex and evolving environment. You will bring the ability to provide clear and trusted advice, build strong relationships, develop high-performing teams and ensure that finance is a strategic enabler of change, not simply a control function.

If you are motivated by public service, energised by transformation and ready to make a lasting contribution to the future of Dudley, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Be part of Dudley’s next chapter

Lead transformation. Deliver impact. Shape the future.

Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Associate Director for Financial Management/deputy Section 151 Officer

Salary: £108,015.00 – £118,680.00
Location: Dudley, West Midlands
Employer: Dudley Council

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is entering a defining period of transformation, recovery and renewal. We are now seeking two outstanding finance leaders to join us at the heart of this journey: a Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) and an Associate Director for Financial Management/deputy Section 151 Officer.

These are not traditional finance roles. Together, they represent a unique opportunity to lead systemic change, influence organisational direction at the highest level, and ensure financial strategy is a powerful enabler of better outcomes for our residents and wider borough.

A pivotal leadership opportunity at the heart of change

Working as part of our senior leadership team, you will play a central role in driving our improvement and transformation agenda. The Director of Finance, as a member of the Corporate Management Team, will act as the Council’s principal financial adviser, ensuring strong governance, financial resilience and ethical stewardship.

The Associate Director for Financial Management will work closely alongside the Director, providing critical operational and strategic leadership across the finance function, strengthening delivery, capability and performance, and ensuring the organisation is supported by high-quality financial management and insight.

Together, you will align our resources, people and systems to deliver on Dudley’s priorities—helping to create a financially resilient, community-focused and sustainable council.

About the role (see separate advert for the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer))

Associate Director for Financial Management

You will:

• Support the Section 151 Officer in ensuring the proper administration of the Council’s financial affairs
• Lead operational financial management, ensuring strong budgetary control, reporting and financial resilience
• Drive the modernisation of finance, embedding business partnering, data-driven decision-making and efficient processes
• Build organisational financial capability and provide leadership across finance teams
• Play a key role in delivering the Council’s improvement and transformation programme

What we are looking for

We are seeking exceptional, values-led leaders who will:

• Provide visible, credible and collaborative leadership in a complex, politically sensitive environment
• Champion transformation, repositioning finance as a proactive and enabling function
• Drive modernisation through the effective use of technology, data and process redesign
• Build and develop high-performing, inclusive teams with a strong focus on continuous improvement
• Deliver robust financial planning, governance and risk management
• Operate confidently at the political interface, providing clear, balanced and trusted advice
• Embed a ‘One Council’ culture, working collaboratively across services and with partners

Why join Dudley now

This is a rare opportunity to join a developing senior leadership team united by a clear ambition: to deliver sustained improvement, organisational excellence and meaningful impact for our communities.

You will be part of a Council that is:

• Committed to continuous improvement and cultural transformation
• Focused on maximising outcomes for residents and the wider borough
• Investing in modern, enabling services that support frontline delivery
• Working collaboratively as One Council, with strong political and officer leadership

Shape the future of Dudley

If you are motivated by public service, energised by transformation and ready to lead at a strategic level we would welcome a conversation.

For further information, please contact Tom Ripley on 07701217520 or email tom.ripley@starfishsearch.com

Apply now and be part of something that truly makes a difference. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://www.dudleycounciljobs.org.uk

Application Process

Please submit your CV and supporting statement with your application. Your supporting statement should be arial 12 and no more than 4 pages

Applications close: Sunday 19 July

The recruitment process will be to undertake technical interviews with longlisted applicants to confirm the shortlist. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to assessment centres, stakeholder panels and discussion with Cabinet Members before final interviews.

Please indicate any periods you are unavailable.

Workplace Attendance: Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata) or Onsite full time

So that we can demonstrate Dudley’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and to improve bias in the recruitment process that could create barriers for candidates. Your personal data will be anonymised when you apply, to ensure that you comply with our anonymisation process, please ensure you have removed your name and date of birth from any attachments prior to uploading them to your application.

Online application forms will only be accepted for this vacancy, online facilities for jobs are available at public libraries within the Dudley Borough.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

If you require support completing an online or paper application form and or interview techniques, please contact Dudley Adult and Community Learning on 01384 818 143 or acl@dudley.gov.uk who can support with Digital Skills and Job Applications.

If you have a disability and require assistance in making an application please contact the HR Resourcing Team via HR.Resourcing@dudley.gov.uk

If you are experiencing a problem whilst applying for a position, please follow the link below to the WM Jobs Help Page in the first instance https://help.wmjobs.co.uk/

If the WM Jobs Help Page does not resolve your issue then please contact the HR Resourcing Team via HR.Resourcing@dudley.gov.uk

Dudley Council will check the information that you have provided against any details already held for accuracy and completeness. The Council will check, share and cross match your information both internally within the council and with external organisations to protect public funds and prevent or detect crime, only where the law allows us to do so.

The Council’s full Privacy and Disclaimer Statement can be accessed on the website at https://www.dudley.gov.uk/privacy-disclaimer-statement/

N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications

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