Interim Strategic Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Executive (s151 Officer)

Job title

Interim Strategic Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Executive (s151 Officer)

Job Category

Interims

Hours per week

22.50

Location

County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD, Isle of Wight Council

Pay

£672.57 per day

Likely to be a weekly presence required onsite due to statutory Section 151 obligations

We need an individual for 3 days per week who will be available from mid July 2026 (possibly earlier).

Whilst some work will be able to be carried out remotely in an agile way, the nature of this role (Section 151) requires in person attendance at meetings here on the Isle of Wight so the successful candidate should expect to spend significant time here.

Service Area

Finance

Job Purpose

To provide strategic leadership and oversight of the councils finance function, ensuring financial stewardship, robust governance, financial resilience and value for money in all council activities.

As the designated Section 151 officer, ensure the discharge of statutory responsibilities for the proper administration of the councils financial affairs, including pensions, as the council is a pension administering authority for its LGPS fund.

Deputise for the chief executive, assuming full responsibilities of head of paid service in their absence, including organisational leadership and emergency decision making.

To play a key role in the overall leadership of the organisation, working collaboratively with Members and partners and serving as an ambassador for the island while fostering a higher-performing, motivated and engaged workforce committed to service excellence.

The candidate will need to lead on

financial policy, strategy and management

all duties as the Council's statutory Section 151 Officer

implementation of transformation and improvement plans

management accounting and financial planning

strategic procurement

treasury management

internal audit and risk assurance

Local Government Pension Scheme

Required skills include

fully qualified CCAB accountant with substantial post qualification experience.

sound understanding of the Local Government Act 1972, specifically Section 151, and financial regulations governing local authorities

extensive experience of development and delivery of a medium-term financial strategy for a council with a gross budget exceeding £300m

successfully delivery of balanced budgets despite funding reductions.

able to support 'whole council transformation' to deliver significant efficiency savings.

We need someone who can think commercially, innovatively and creatively about how funding is best deployed to support growth