Head of Finance

Job Description

The London Borough of Harrow is appointing five Heads of Finance to provide strong, visible financial leadership across its Directorates. These roles sit at the heart of the organisation, acting as strategic partners to Directors, the Corporate Leadership Team and elected Members, and supporting effective decision‑making, financial resilience and value for money across significant revenue and capital budgets.

Working closely with their allocated Directorates, the Heads of Finance provide clear, practical financial and commercial insight, positively challenge assumptions, and ensure high standards of governance and assurance in line with the Council’s Section 151 responsibilities. Beyond stewardship, the roles support transformation and continuous improvement, building financial capability, leading high‑performing teams and enabling Directorates to deliver sustainable, high‑quality services aligned to Harrow’s long‑term ambitions.

If you bring the experience, credibility and strategic insight below, we would welcome a conversation with you.

• CCAB qualified (ideally CIPFA) with a strong commitment to continuing professional development.
• Extensive senior‑level finance experience within a large, complex public‑sector organisation, ideally local government.
• In-depth knowledge of public‑sector finance, accounting standards, funding arrangements and the legislative environment.
• Proven ability to provide strategic, long‑term financial advice and constructive challenge at senior and political level.
• Strong experience of the annual financial cycle, budget planning and financial monitoring.
• Advanced financial and technical skills, including business cases, financial modelling, options appraisal, capital investment appraisal and risk analysis.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to Members and senior officers.
• Demonstrable track record of driving service improvement, productivity, cost reduction and continuous improvement.
• Strong leadership, relationship‑building and collaboration skills, with experience of leading complex projects and supporting organisational transformation.
• Politically astute, with advanced Microsoft Office skills and up‑to‑date knowledge of public‑sector accounting best practice.#

If you would like to have an informal discussion, please email: Resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/ Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn