Job Introduction
The Finance Manager will support the Environment and Waste, Highways, Property and Transport areas. These areas are fast moving, complex areas providing services to all citizens in Milton Keynes.
The role will work closely with each of the Heads of Service to understand the operational and consequentially the financial position for the services. The role will be responsible for reporting on a monthly basis to senior management, the expected financial position for each of the services. In addition, there will be a role to play in the budget setting processing, working closely on the preparation and signing off business cases for pressures and savings. The post holder also needs to be technically strong to ensure correct accounting treatment of all entries within the service accounts and completion of year end reporting requirements. The role will manage a Finance Analyst and will be supported by an Apprentice.
The role can either be office based within Central Milton Keynes, or home based with the expectation that at the most, you will be required to work in the office 1 day a week.
We are looking to talk to anyone who is a qualified accountant with experience at working at this level within a public sector environment and with proven leadership skills.
In return we offer flexible working arrangements, training and development opportunities (we are AAT employer accredited and have a number of the team studying for professional qualifications as well as many making use of our excellent in-house training programmes), including career progression and most importantly the chance to help shape the future of our growing city.
Main Responsibility
- Undertaking service contract monitoring of a range of waste and highways contracts totalling circa £32m a year, understanding cost drivers and external market factors
- Working with services where these multi million pound contracts are up for renewal to determine the cost of the potential future options and being part of the financial analysis at both the tendering and contract award stage
- Assessing the viability of major one-off capital schemes (£10m plus) including full life cycle costings
- Developing and managing income analysis for operational income in excess of £15m – understanding customer behaviour and the impact on income trends for both current and future budgets
- Offering financial support to our property team who have a significant asset rationalisation programme to ensure assets disposal results in required revenue savings
- Being involved in cost benefit analysis of innovative transport modes, such as vehicle electrification and alternative bus services
- Supporting continual staff restructure workings and monitoring of staffing budgets in excess of £7m.
- Taking a lead on the monthly reporting to senior finance and Cabinet on the overall financial performance of the service area
- Developing future budgets based on demand analysis and presenting robust business cases for change.
- Provision and validation of data for grant returns and freedom of information requests.
The Ideal Candidate
- Qualified accountant (CCAB) with relevant post-qualification experience and evidence of ongoing CPD.
- Experience of managing and developing staff (including performance management). Ability to inspire and motivate a range of employees and generate a positive working environment.
- Experience of financial planning, control, and reporting in a complex organisation which should include some experience in working in a public sector organisation.
- Be able to explain complicated and technical information in a manner that can be understood by others with different levels of knowledge on the subject, including senior stakeholders, using multiple tools; written (preparation of presentations and report writing including cabinet papers), spreadsheets (financial modelling) and deliver presentations.
- Ability to apply innovative and creative thinking to complex service challenges and deliver high quality solutions within a highly pressurised environment.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 19.7%
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, Apprenticeship Programmes (junior and senior), coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Health Cashplan
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles)
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs)
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements
- Childcare Subsidy
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, multi cultural, adrenaline packed expanding city with so much to offer on its door step. From beautiful open spaces, a busy theatre district, large shopping centre to a number of cultural and leisure facilities.
Milton Keynes Council has an array of responsibilities, such as: education, housing, highways and social services. Altogether, the council provides over 240 services to the citizens of Milton Keynes, and to meet such an extensive and diverse range of challenges we must be innovative and dynamic to provide services successfully to meet the increasing demands that will accompany the growth of Milton Keynes. How better to contribute to that continued success than through a unique and rewarding career with us. If you want to make a difference and experience a fulfilling job measured on outcomes and results with great work-life balance, make a move to Milton Keynes Council.
