Location
London Borough of Sutton, The Old Rectory, Festival Walk, Carshalton

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£115,877 per annum

About the Role
Joining us means working for two high performing London Boroughs: Sutton and Kingston. These councils share many services, offering a unique opportunity to engage with a wide range of activities and two distinct political bodies. We support flexible working arrangements across Sutton and Kingston offices, including home working, to help you balance your professional and personal life. We provide the necessary equipment and encourage creativity and ambition in service delivery.

Exciting developments are underway in both boroughs. Kingston is home to the London Cancer Hub, a world-leading cancer research and treatment centre, and is delivering its largest housing regeneration programme focused on energy-efficient homes. Both boroughs are committed to tackling the climate emergency through investment in new technologies and societal change.

Sutton is known for excellent schools, green spaces, and a rich cultural heritage, governed by a Liberal Democrat Administration with high ambitions outlined in its corporate plan “Ambitious for Sutton.” Kingston, a Royal borough with historic charm and vibrant communities, is guided by its council plan “Greener, Fairer, Safer, Together,” aiming to foster an inclusive and resilient borough.

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is London’s oldest Royal borough with a population of 168,000. It offers a platform for senior leaders driven by purpose, partnership, and civic impact. The borough combines thriving town centres, world-class education, significant regeneration programmes, and a rich, diverse community.

As Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer, you will be a senior leader shaping the Shared Finance Service’s direction and performance. You will lead Kingston’s financial strategy, ensuring excellence in financial stewardship, integrity of reporting, and strategic financial planning. Acting as deputy to the Section 151 Officer, you will oversee Kingston’s core finance function and advise Members, the Chief Executive, and senior leadership on complex financial, regulatory, and commercial matters.

Your responsibilities will include stewardship of a net revenue budget of approximately £193m (General Fund), plus HRA, DSG, and Pension Fund investments; leadership of a finance workforce of over 160 FTE; production of annual accounts and audit reporting; ensuring financial resilience and statutory controls; and strategic leadership of capital, treasury, pensions, revenues & benefits, and financial inclusion. You will also support corporate transformation and major change programmes while shaping a future-ready, data-driven, and commercially aware finance function.

We are seeking an exceptional senior finance leader with the credibility, resilience, and drive to influence strategic decision-making at the highest levels.

Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within local government or a comparable complex public body
- Proven track record in leading Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and budget-setting processes
- Strong technical assurance expertise including accounts, audit, pensions, treasury, and governance
- Experience operating politically and shaping financial strategy alongside Members and senior stakeholders

About you
- CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant eligible to deputise for the S151 Officer
- Credible and resilient senior leader able to influence strategic decision-making
- Inspirational leader who can build high-performing, future-ready finance teams
- Commercial and outward-facing mindset with the ability to drive innovation, transformation, and value
- Ability to lead through change and support corporate transformation

Qualifications
- CCAB or CIMA qualification required to deputise as Section 151 Officer