Strategic Lead Finance (Corporate)

The Highland Council is one of Scotland’s largest and most unique local authorities, serving communities across 26,484 square kilometres and delivering services to a population of over 238,000 people. The Council is at the heart of a region experiencing significant economic transformation, driven by major investment in renewable energy, housing, infrastructure and community development.

With a revenue budget of £868 million and an ambitious long-term investment programme exceeding £2 billion, The Highland Council is focused on delivering sustainable growth, financial resilience and improved outcomes for communities across the Highlands. Through its Corporate Plan, Delivery Plan and Our Future Highland programme, the Council is leading an ambitious agenda of transformation and improvement.

This is a key leadership opportunity to join The Highland Council’s Corporate Finance team as Strategic Lead Finance (Corporate). Reporting to and supporting the Chief Officer – Corporate Finance/Section 95 Officer, you will play a central role in ensuring the effective administration of the Council’s financial affairs and providing high-quality strategic financial advice across the organisation.

You will represent and deputise for the Section 95 Officer as required, working closely with senior officers, elected members and partners to support sound financial governance, informed decision-making and the delivery of the Council’s strategic priorities.

With overall responsibility for strategic financial support within one of the Council’s Service Clusters, you will provide collaborative financial leadership to services, ensuring robust financial planning, budget management and performance oversight. You will also lead key corporate finance activities including strategic financial planning, treasury management and the preparation of the Council’s annual accounts, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations and professional standards.

As a member of both the Corporate Finance Management Team and a Cluster Service Management Team, you will drive continuous improvement, support transformation and efficiency initiatives, and lead the delivery of responsive, high-quality financial services that support best value and long-term financial sustainability across the Council.

• Deliver high-quality financial services and support, ensuring effective financial administration of the Council’s affairs and compliance with legislative, regulatory and professional standards.
• Represent the Chief Officer – Corporate Finance/Section 95 Officer as required, including attendance at Committees, Boards, partner agencies and other internal and external forums.
• Act as a member of the Corporate Finance Management Team and relevant Cluster Management Team, providing strategic and collaborative financial leadership across services.
• Lead and line manage the Cluster Financial Team, ensuring effective performance management, staff development, coaching, wellbeing, and positive employee and trade union relations.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the management of revenue and capital budgets, capital accounting, loan charge accounting, financial planning, budget monitoring, annual accounts, statutory returns, grant claims and financial compliance.
• Support the identification and delivery of efficiencies, cost improvements, value for money and continuous service improvement, ensuring effective use of resources and responsiveness to service needs.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of Corporate Finance service plans, Council corporate priorities and financial strategies, ensuring delivery of strategic objectives at local and corporate levels.
• Lead the development and monitoring of risk management, business continuity, performance management and governance arrangements, ensuring compliance with internal and external policies.
• Coordinate and plan service delivery changes in collaboration with colleagues, maintaining effective stakeholder relationships and promoting understanding of Council priorities, achievements and constraints.
• Provide professional and strategic leadership across designated service areas, contributing to Council-wide working groups, meetings and cross-service initiatives.

• Relevant degree and/or CCAB professional accounting qualification, with a commitment to continuing professional development.
• Significant leadership and management experience within financial services/accounting, including substantial experience in Local Government Finance.
• Strong professional knowledge of local government finance legislation, policy, regulatory requirements and best practice guidance.
• Proven ability to lead and manage high-performing financial services, providing effective leadership, staff development, motivation and employee engagement.
• Ability to support the delivery of Council strategies, vision and values, with a commitment to equality, inclusion and high-quality service delivery.
• Excellent communication, influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate effectively across a range of forums and audiences.
• Strong analytical and financial management skills, including budget management, financial analysis, performance monitoring and target setting.
• Ability to allocate resources effectively, delegate appropriately and drive continuous improvement and performance outcomes.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, making sound decisions, solving complex problems and developing innovative and flexible solutions.

• Salary: £78,132 – £85,412 p.a.
• Location: Council Headquarters, Inverness (hybrid working with a minimum of three days per week on-site)
• Contract: Permanent
• Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme
• Annual Leave: Up to 26 days plus public holidays

The Highlands offers one of the most distinctive leadership opportunities in Scotland. Combining a globally recognised natural environment with ambitious economic growth, major infrastructure investment and a strong commitment to public service, the region presents both challenge and opportunity in equal measure.
This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of one of Scotland’s most significant local authorities while helping to shape the economic, social and environmental future of the Highlands.

The Highland Council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We also offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who have served in the Armed Forces (Regular or Reservist), or are a spouse, partner or dependent of serving personnel, provided they meet the essential criteria.