Job Description
ROLE PROFILE
Job Title /Assistant Director, Resources
Post NumberService Group / Resources (assumes rebadging)
Accountable to / Corporate Director, Resources
Grade / Assistant Director Level 2
Date / 25/11/13 / Number of Post Holders / 1
Purpose of Role (outline what, why and how)
As a member of the council’s senior management team, working with external and internal partners, this post is responsible for the strategic leadership of the Council’s financial management services [and public access services]. These must be of high quality, in line with national and local policy, relevant legislation, best practice and deliver the best outcomes for the community of Milton Keynes, whilst meeting the agreed financial and service performance targets
Responsible at a Council wide level for professional leadership and delivery of high quality services which will ensure the Council’s financial stability and integrity; leadership of infrastructure investment planning and resource management across Milton Keynes to support the delivery of the growth agenda and to ensure that efficient and effective use is made of planning obligations resources; leadership of the public access agenda; strategic planning interface with Milton Keynes Service Partnership and Milton Keynes Development Partnership.
As a member of the Council’s Senior Leadership Team the Assistant Director is responsible for working with colleagues and partners to secure the best possible outcomes across all service areas and partnerships.
The Assistant Director is accountable for the specific services and corporate functions described below and is responsible for providing leadership, effective challenge and performance management of those areas. The Assistant Director is also responsible for ensuring the development of a one council culture, the longer term vision for the organisation and effective medium term planning cross the services and corporate functions.
______
Key Objectives (list what outcomes are essential)
1 / Work at a strategic and Council wide level to lead the development of the Council’s Budget and a robust Medium Term Financial Plan for both revenue and capital resources, including leading the budget strategy and supporting the Corporate Director Resources with member engagement and negotiation.2 / Lead, develop and direct the Finance Service and Public Access Service to deliver efficient and effective services in accordance with the Council’s strategic objectives, relevant government legislation, professional standards and leading edge practices.
3 / Lead, motivate and empower staff within the Finance Service and Public Access Service to ensure agreed outcomes are consistently achieved in accordance with the Corporate Plan, Council policies, including governance, and key deliverables.
4 / Lead the process to plan for and identify investment requirements arising as a result of growth and work with partners to produce a Local Investment Plan and develop a strategy to manage resources in order to deliver sustainable development; ensure that planning obligations negotiated are delivered and the resources are used in the most efficient and effective way; ensure that the Milton Keynes Tariff is well controlled and managed and the financial risks to the Council are mitigated.
5 / Ensure that all statutory and professional requirements for which the post holder is responsible are met; deputise for the Council’s Chief Financial Officer in accordance with S114 (b) of the 1988 Local Government Finance Act, perform duties as required as Deputy Section 114 and 151 officer for the Council.
6 / Set and steer the direction and development of support services within MKSP including Finance, Public Access, IT and Revenues and Benefits; be responsible for the financial and risk management of the revenues and benefits services provided by the Council, through MKSP.
7 / Strong productive relationships with elected Members of all parties are built and the work with elected members offers operational support, advice and guidance that ensures Milton Keynes Councils strategic direction is delivered
8 / The service leadership role and corporate leadership role is fulfilled as a member of the senior leadership team to meet the requirements of ‘One Council’.
Scope (write a paragraph or more which outlines the contacts, key relationships and the particular job-related behaviours the jobholder needs, and the impact the role has.)
This is a key role in the delivery and development of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan and in ensuring the development of the Council’s financial arrangements in respect of the following:-
a) Financial reporting
b) Medium-term financial planning
c) Long-term capital and resource planning, including infrastructure requirements as a result of growth.
d) Improving compliance with the Council’s financial management and governance framework
The postholder has statutory responsibilities which demand a professional approach in giving leadership and guidance both within the service area managed and across the whole organisation to managers delivering a wide range of complex and diverse services.
Key relationships internally with the Council’s senior managers and elected members, and externally with central government require the use of effective communication and influencing skills, with the ability to clearly articulate financial issues in ways that can be understood by the relevant audience. The postholder will represent the Council and other organisations on national working parties or in specific discussions relating to aspects of financial resourcing, management or infrastructure requirements in relation to growth.
The ability to understand and work within the changing and increasingly challenging financial climate is essential and the role holder will demonstrate visible leadership, direction, and drive not only across the services they are responsible for but across the whole organisation.
The role further requires a mentoring and developmental role in ensuring that MKC and MKSP services jointly contribute to the “one council” approach.
People: The role requires the post holder to give clear management direction to approximately x members of staff via a group of x direct report managers; there is also the requirement to set the strategic direction for relevant services with MKSP, e.g. Finance, [Public Access], Revenues and Benefits. This role requires building strong working relationships within the Council and MKSP, and facilitating cross-organisational effectiveness which ensures the best possible outcomes for the Council.
Financial The role is directly responsible budget within the council of approximately £x as well as holding corporate responsibility for ensuring that the Council has a good quality medium term financial plan and can therefore develop an effective financial strategy, and set a robust annual budget and medium term capital programme. The postholder provides advice to the Council on major corporate projects, ensuring that financial implications are adequately considered, proposals are affordable and deliver value for money.
The postholder will ensure that the £310 million MK Tariff is managed efficiently and effectively and the potential financial risks to the Council are adequately managed. This includes ensuring that the risk share procedure with the HCA and DCLG are delivered and maintained.
Responsible for the provision of advice and strategy on financial issues including the Government funding policy and legislation and the amount of Council tax to be levied. This will include:
Presenting financial information, options and advice.
Quality Assurance of financial processes throughout the Authority.
Ensuring the accounts meet statutory and other regulations.
Responsible for engaging in the budget setting, monitoring and management processes, including identifying known pressures and potential savings, being proactive in minimising the prospect of overspending and giving early warning of any significant variations to the approved budget.
Responsible for leading the medium term financial planning and annual budget process (gross annual budget £650m) across the Council to ensure future resource requirements are identified and pressures are addressed in setting the budget and medium term capital programme (5 year programme with anticipated spend around £550m).
Responsible for preparing reports on the Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets and Capital Investment Strategy to the relevant Committee. Responsible for ensuring that good quality financial advice is provided to inform all decisions made by officers and members, clearly setting out the financial implications of the decision.
Main accountabilities
In fulfilling the objectives of the post, the post holder is accountable for the following services and/or corporate functions:
1 / Develop and ensure the Council’s financial arrangements, in respect of the following:-a) Financial reporting
b) Medium-term financial planning
c) Long-term capital and resource planning, including infrastructure requirements as a result of growth.
d) Improving compliance with the Council’s financial management and governance framework
ensuring that performance review mechanisms are in place to monitor extent of progress and achievement of objectives and goals; to advise the Council on strategic options for strengthening the control environment within the authority and reducing the risk of fraud, corruption and operation failure.
2 / Lead and advise on strategies for service improvements, service development and the achievement of Council, service group and customer objectives, through strategic leadership of the public access work programme; to create and sustain a performance orientated approach and culture; to pro-actively work in partnership with other local councils, key partners, Government Departments and other quasi-government agencies to derive the benefits of best practice for the improvement of services.
3 / Ensure long-term infrastructure investment needs are identified and plans are in place to manage the resource implications, to support the delivery of a sustainable community; to ensure that developer contributions are received in a timely manner; that planning policy ensures sufficient flexibility to maximise the benefits of these resources and that resources are allocated to support Council or local priorities; to plan the infrastructure requirements arising from growth, acting as an advisor to the Council and local partners on the overall requirements and the resources available to deliver the necessary investment.
4 / Strengthen and improve the corporate governance and compliance of the Authority; to ensure that the maximum revenue is raised from all sources, that everyone pays what they owe and the Council spends money in the most effective way. Lead the Council’s planning and advisory role on:-
- resource prospects including Government funding policy and legislation
- Resource redeployment
- Possible levels of council tax
- Financial risks
- Reserves strategy
5 / Provide strategic financial leadership to MKDP in particular with regard to acquiring or disposing of assets on the Council’s behalf.
6 / Provide strategic leadership and direct performance management to the staff in Public Access, Investment and …..
7
Corporate Leadership Role
As members of the Council’s senior leadership team, Assistant Directors have collaborative and individual responsibilities to be fulfilled in a ’One Council’ context. The key elements are:
1 / Collective and strategic responsibility for working with the Chief Executive, the Corporate Leadership Team, other senior managers, the Cabinet, other elected members and external partners to improve outcomes in line with the Council’s corporate priorities.2 / Active engagement with transformation and change programmes to shape the organisation as it evolves; constantly scanning the environment for opportunities to embed the ‘one council’ approach and identifying effective strategies to challenge resistance.
3 / Individual accountability to the Corporate Leadership Team for service group performance including the delivery of service plan objectives, revenue and capital projects, budgets, human resource management, business continuity, and risk management.
4 / Application of corporate systems, frameworks and relevant statutory requirements to meet agreed standards for managing people, budgets, services, programmes and projects, health and safety, risk, and fulfilment of all the requirements of the senior manager role in Milton Keynes Council.
5 / Lead, manage and develop effective relationships with contractors and partners, ensuring the Council’s outcome requirements are clearly specified, delivery is monitored and managed, and performance standards met.
6 / Commit to and model for other employees the Council’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Follow the Council’s safeguarding policies and procedures and behave appropriately towards children and vulnerable adults at all times, both in work and in their personal lives.
7 / Ensure the service group meets corporate equalities requirements; promoting the Council’s equalities and diversity policies within the organisation, with partners and in all aspects of the role; ensuring that the services provided by Milton Keynes Council meet the needs of its diverse population and customer base.
8 / Contribute to meeting the Council’s emergency planning responsibilities.
9 / Adopt sustainable working practices and targets both in terms of how services are delivered but also in respect of the way in which the organisation consumes materials and energy.
10 / Engage with the development of the Council’s approach to Public Access; strengthen and continuously improve the way we inform, interact with and make services accessible to the community; facilitate and embed an effective customer service culture across the whole organisation.
Work Profile
The postholder is responsible for the leadership, support and direction of all activities related to developing and delivering the MTFP and for steering and strongly influencing the delivery of support services and front line services including Finance, ICT, Public Access and Revenues and Benefits.
The postholder is responsible for the management, support and direction of retained services which interface with MKSP, MKDP and other partners; also for the provision of strategic direction to specified services within MKSP and other suppliers.
This role has responsibility for significant budget management which includes budgets relating to MKSP and MKDP, that require detailed analysis and close management oversight and which must take into account the Council’s overall financial requirements, delivering efficiency and value for money across Milton Keynes council.
The role holder is responsible for performance management of staff directly managed across these services including dealing with recruitment and selection, workforce planning, and matters of capability and discipline, and indirectly for the service delivery performance of the relevant staff groups in MKSP.
1
PERSON SPECIFICATION
In this section the Skills, Knowledge, Qualification and Competency requirements to perform the role to a satisfactory standard are set out. The extent, nature and level of the role holder’s knowledge and skills should be specified
Awareness some knowledge or skills sufficient to show aptitude and the ability to learn in the particular work area
Significant knowledge and skills gained through practice and/or qualification sufficient to fulfil the role requirements
Extensive knowledge and skills gained through practice and/ or qualification to fulfil the role requirements and contribute to training others and developing policy and practice in the work area
PERSON SPECIFICATION / Examples specific to role / Required / Level / Method of Assessment interview, testing, referenceEssential / Desirable / Awareness / Significant / Extensive
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Technical knowledge and qualifications
Degree level or equivalent professional qualification / Qualified CCAB and/or Member of CIPFA / X / Application
Local Government financial systems / Substantial knowledge of local government corporate and service financial planning, budget preparation and control, general accounting and year end procedures and financial systems and control. / X / X / Application
Service Directorates and budgetary control / Extensive knowledge of financial management in services as well as the principles in both practical and theoretical terms, underlying successful budgetary control in the services. / X / X / Application/ Interview
Knowledge of the implications of growth and associated planning processes / X / X / Application/ Interview
Knowledge of IT and systems / Substantial experience and detailed knowledge of the use of information technology in the management of financial systems and provision of financial information and controls. / X / X / Application
Planning and organising work
Managing accounting services / Experience of managing accounting services together with a range of other financial management services in a large public sector organisation. / X / X / Application
Planning capacity and resources
Lateral Thinking / An ability to think laterally and develop creative and innovative solutions allied with an entrepreneurial disposition. A bias for action and strong at exploiting new opportunities. / X / X / Interview
Influencing and interpersonal skills
Vision and direction / Able to provide vision and direction to individuals and teams so as to gain commitment and ownership. / X / X / Interview
Interpersonal skills / Highly developed oral, written and presentational skills including an ability to influence and negotiate effectively. / X / X / Interview
Influencing and negotiating with partners / Ability to influence and negotiate with partners from a wide range of backgrounds to achieve a successful outcome. / X / X / Interview/ Application
Relationships with Elected Members / An ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with elected Members, which generates confidence and respect. / X / X / X XX / Interview
PROBLEM-SOLVING
Using initiative to overcome problems
Use of initiative / Ability to use initiative to promote logical solutions to complex/difficult financial problems or scenarios. / X / X
Managing risk
Ability to implement risk management / A good understanding and ability to implement risk management in the context of strategic financial planning, financial reporting and control and project management. / X / X
Managing change
Ability to manage with Change / Ability to implement and manage change programmes effectively. A demonstrable enthusiasm for change and a positive approach to its implementation. / X / X / Interview
Experience of managing change / Experience of implementing and managing change within a complex organisation. / X / X / Interview
ACCOUNTABILITY and RESPONSIBILITY
Undertakes tasks without supervision
Performance Management / An ability to apply performance management techniques and develop, negotiate and extend challenging outcomes and goals. Ability to make complex decisions based on facts. / X / X / Interview
Operate Effectively in work environment / Ability to operate effectively as part of a wider management structure involving other senior managers, to manage conflicting priorities in a pressurised work environment subject to frequently changing circumstances, to acquire new skills and knowledge and a commitment to learning. / X / X / Interview
Managing people
Coordinating and planning / Substantial experience of coordinating and planning the work of staff providing a range of accounting services to corporate and service clients / X / X / Interview
People skills / Ability to empower and motivate managers and staff and to build and contribute to effective teams and relationships. Ability to lead by example. / X / X / Interview
Equalities / An understanding of the effects of discrimination and exclusion against certain groups of customers and employees and ability to eradicate that discrimination through the promotion of inclusion and equality of opportunities. / X / X / Interview
Managing financial resources
Budgets and Value for Money / A clear understanding of the budget making process and proven ability to manage a significant budget to the standard required by the Council, whilst delivering high quality value for money services. / X / X / Interview
Service Delivery Initiatives / Able to manage and direct major service delivery initiatives and projects from inception to implementation within budget and set timescales. / X / X / Interview
Local Government and complex financial information / Substantial knowledge of the local government finance regime and regulations as they apply to financial reporting and accounting, in particular the issues surrounding controls and systems and experience of handling complex financial information. / X / X / Interview
Financial management / Experience of financial management, including the setting, monitoring and control of substantial departmental budgets with a strong emphasis on effective system implementation and accountability. / X / X / Application & Interview
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED – All post holders must be able to comply with the Council’s core competency requirements which include communication, respect for others, customer service, drive for results, delivering the promise and continuous personal development.