About the Council

Stevenage is a thriving town full of opportunities for our communities, led by an innovative Council. Our motto is “the heart of the town lies in its people” and with everything from world-class R&D companies to our four award-winning Green Flag parks all located here, our people are at the heart of what we do.

As an ambitious Council located in an ambitious town, we have a reputation for punching above our weight and have set a new corporate mission to make Stevenage Even Better, with big ambitions to become a destination town of the future.

As Local Government continues to face challenges including COVID-19 and where some Councils have reduced services, here at Stevenage we continue to deliver the things that matter most to our residents and to us. Through strong leadership and a focused strategy, Stevenage Borough Council has a clear plan to steer itself to a balanced budget and has a realistic view of its future challenges.
 

Through effective resident consultation, we are clear on what is needed for our communities and our politicians have set a clear prioritised programme to deliver. The transformation of our town and Council is encapsulated in a programme made up of nine priorities, named “Future Town, Future Council”. Included in this five-year programme are plans to regenerate the town centre, provide housing that works for all, make services more accessible through new technologies and invest in our town’s neighbourhoods. To help us deliver our promises, we are continually reviewing how we can work differently to deliver better value for money, remain an attractive employer and ensure our services are the very best they can be.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Finance Manager to join and lead the technical side of our Accountancy team. This is a fantastic opportunity for the successful candidate to be co-ordinate the Statement of Accounts production, government returns and supporting the budget setting and Capital budget monitoring process. The post holder is also responsible for providing technical support (including VAT advice, tax advice on the Council’s companies, Treasury advice) to the Accountancy Team and wider council officers.

The role of the Finance Manager (Technical) is to ensure that expert financial advice is given to all Assistant Directors and service managers and to enable the council to meet its ambitions.

Working closely with the Assistant Director of Finance and Estates and Senior Officers, you will help promote financial sustainability across the Council through effective leadership and partnership working to optimise key opportunities across the borough.

To be successful you will need to be a qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA) with a strong relationship building skills, the ability to lead and motivate a team utilising excellent communication skills. You will need to work collaboratively with internal and external stake holders, experience in Local Government is preferable but not essential.

The ambition of the Council makes Stevenage a rewarding place to work, providing the opportunity to develop new skills and broaden you work experience.

What we can offer you

We have a generous study leave and bursary policy and can offer ongoing continuous professional and leadership development.

The Council can offer you a competitive salary and a pension scheme with generous employer contribution rates. We support a healthy work-life balance for our staff; providing flexible working, a flexi-time scheme and a range of family friendly policies including maternity, parental, adoption and paternity leave entitlements. There is a minimum holiday entitlement of 24 days per year in addition to statutory and public holidays rising to 30 days per annum after 10 years’ service. Additional employee benefits include a range of savings including retail & leisure discounts through CSSC and travel discounts through SmartGoStevenage. Other transport benefits include access to electric pool cars, bicycles and e-bikes for business use and purchase of bikes through CycleScheme. The Council considers health and well-being a key contributor to a strong workforce and provides discounted gym and leisure centre membership, Employee Assistance Provision as well as Occupational Heath support.

Application Details

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Nick Penny 07908 217660.

For an application pack and to apply online, please visit https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/job-vacancies   Please quote the correct post reference number when applying.

Please note that Stevenage Borough Council cannot accept CV’s, all applications must be made on the Council’s standard application form which can be found at the above link.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 31^st January 2021

Interviews will be held week commencing: 8^th February 2021

Please note that if we receive a large volume of applications for this role, we reserve the right to close this vacancy ahead of the published closing date

Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, volunteers and recruitment candidates to share this commitment. SBC shall take all reasonable steps to employ staff who are safe to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. For posts identified with regular contact with these groups applicants will be required to undertake a Value Based Interview. The council supports the legislative requirements for employing and maintaining safer staff and the guidance specified by Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board

Stevenage Borough Council is committed to Equal Opportunities for All. For further information please click here.