Birmingham City Council
Head of Finance - Business Partnering
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Head of Finance - Business Partnering
Permanent Head of Finance – Business Partnering
Grade 7 | £66,627–£85,845 | 36.5 Hour Week
Critical Note: Applications will only be considered with an up-to-date CV attached.
About the Role
Birmingham City Council, one of the largest local authorities in Europe, is seeking three exceptional Heads of Finance – Business Partnering to drive financial sustainability, support strategic decision-making, and shape the future of critical services for Birmingham’s residents.
As a key member of the Finance leadership team, you’ll act as the senior finance advisor to directorates, providing expert guidance across revenue, capital, and balance sheet management—while leading high-performing teams and influencing the Council’s transformation agenda.
This role offers the opportunity to make direct impact across one of three diverse yet interconnected portfolios:
Three Strategic Portfolios
You’ll support the following priority areas:
1. Children and Young People
- Provide strategic financial leadership in Birmingham’s largest service area:
- Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding and long-term financial sustainability
- Birmingham Children’s Trust contractual oversight and expert financial support
- Budgeting for Schools Financial Services and principal-level financial guidance
- Contribute to improved outcomes for children, young people, and families across the city
2. Place, Prosperity and Sustainability
- Drive financial oversight for Birmingham’s growth and regeneration initiatives:
- International and domestic investment programmes
- Economic development and inclusive growth strategies
- Transport, connectivity, and infrastructure projects
- Planning, property, and place-shaping investments
3. City Housing
- Lead financial strategy for critical housing services, including:
- Homelessness prevention and housing solutions
- Rough sleeping support services
- Overseeing the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and long-term housing investments
- Ensuring safe, sustainable, and affordable housing solutions for citizens
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Key Responsibilities
As the sought-after finance leader, you will:
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Strategic Financial Counsellorship
- Act as a trusted business partner to Directorate leadership teams, aiding critical decision-making, budgeting, and transformation planning.
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High-Level Financial Leadership
- Drive financial planning, forecasting, monitoring, and year-end reporting across complex services.
- Deliver savings programmes and commercial insights to enhance financial sustainability.
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Transformation & Investment
- Provide expertise in business cases, financial models, and major programme investment decisions.
- Work with the Section 151 Officer and Finance Leadership Team to meet corporate financial objectives.
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Stakeholder & Leadership Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with Members, senior stakeholders, partners, and external organisations.
- Lead, develop, and motivate finance professionals to drive continuous improvement.
Requirements
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
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Professional Accountancy Qualification
- CCAB membership or equivalent (e.g., ICAEW, CIMA, ACA).
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Senior Finance Leadership
- Proven experience leading finance teams in a large, complex organisation (preferably local government or public sector).
- Strong track record of strategic financial advice to senior leaders and stakeholders.
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Financial Expertise
- Strategic budgeting, forecasting, and commercial financial management.
- Ability to develop business cases, create financial models, and champion major transformation programmes.
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Industry Knowledge
- Familiarity with local government financial frameworks (or ability to quickly adapt relevant sector experience).
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Technical and Soft Skills
- Strong analytical and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Confident reasoning under political and statutory constraints.
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Why Join Birmingham City Council?
- Become a senior finance leader in one of Europe’s largest local authorities, impacting over 1,000,000 residents.
- Shape ambitious services, from children’s education to economic development and affordable housing.
- Work alongside senior leaders, elected Members, and strategic partners to drive transformation and innovation.
- Develop your career within a dynamic Finance Directorate, tackling complex financial challenges at scale.
- Influence the future of Birmingham by contributing to a financially sustainable and resilient city.
We Commit to Diversity
Birmingham City Council is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workforce. Data reveals that ethnic minorities are underrepresented at this senior level. To achieve more diverse shortlists, the Council has adopted positive action measures.
Should this affect recruitment timings, we consider it a worthwhile investment in equity.
As a Disability Confident Employer, the Council also strives to support neurodiversity, disabilities, and equal opportunity.
If you have specific access needs or require reasonable adjustments, please let us know—we’re here to support inclusive recruitment.
Additional Information
- Proof of Right to Work will be required before an offer is made.
- A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background check will be conducted.
- Sponsorship is not available—candidates must possess an unrestricted right to work in the UK.
Next Steps
Please upload your up-to-date CV via the application portal—applications without CVs will not progress to shortlisting.
For informal inquiries: 📧 Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk
Learn more about our Finance Directorate and current transformation ambitions here.
Enquire about our Senior finance recruitment pack.pdf for additional insights.
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