Head of Finance and Deputy s151 Officer
This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-impact financial leadership role at Conwy County Borough Council at a time of significant challenge and opportunity.
As Head of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer, you will play a central role in shaping the Council’s financial strategy, influencing key decisions at the highest level, and helping to navigate the financial pressures facing local government while driving transformation and sustainable service delivery.
Like all local authorities, we are operating in a complex financial environment, with increasing demand, constrained resources and the need to transform how services are delivered. At Conwy, our ambition is not just to manage this challenge, but to reshape the organisation to ensure long-term resilience and improved outcomes for our communities.
You will contribute at the highest level through your role within the Senior Management Team, ensuring the Council remains financially resilient, forward-looking and well positioned to deliver its priorities.
About the Role
As our Head of Finance and Deputy s151 Officer, you will lead and manage the Council’s Corporate Financial Services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality financial services and strategic advice across the organisation to Members and senior officers, supporting effective and lawful decision making.
You will oversee a broad and varied portfolio including Accountancy, Creditors, Payroll, Income and Reconciliation, Local Taxation, and the Housing Benefit and Assessment Service.
A core part of your role will be to:
- Lead the development and delivery of the Council’s financial strategy and medium-term planning
- Support Heads of Service to ensure services are financially sustainable and aligned to corporate priorities
- Drive performance, efficiency and continuous improvement across services, using data and insight to inform decision making
- Build strong working relationships across the organisation and with regional and national partners to maximise resources and deliver shared outcomes
You will act as Deputy Section 151 Officer, working closely with the Strategic Director Finance & Resources and play a key role in statutory financial leadership.
This role offers significant exposure and development for those aspiring to a future Section 151 Officer position.
You will also lead a diverse workforce, creating a high-performing and inclusive culture where innovation, collaboration and professional development are actively encouraged. You will be responsible for setting clear expectations and share collective accountability for embedding inclusive practice at every level, modelling behaviour and language to create the conditions in which every colleague and customer experiences equity, dignity and a genuine sense of belonging and where everyone feels valued, respected and able to bring their authentic selves to work.
About You
We are looking for an experienced and strategic financial leader who can operate confidently in a complex, political and fast-changing environment.
You will be a professionally qualified accountant (CCAB) with a strong track record of delivering financial leadership and organisational impact within local government or a similarly complex organisation.
You will bring:
- Demonstrable experience of leading financial strategy, planning and governance
- The ability to influence and challenge constructively at senior level, including Members
- Strong political awareness and sound professional judgement
- The ability to translate complex financial information into clear, practical insight to support decision making
- A resilient and adaptable approach, with the confidence to operate in a demanding and high-profile role
Above all, you will be motivated by making a tangible difference, driving value for money, supporting organisational change and improving outcomes for residents.
About Us
Conwy County Borough Council is a forward-looking authority with a clear ambition: to deliver effective, innovative and sustainable services that improve outcomes for our residents and visitors.
Conwy is an exceptional place to live and work, offering a unique combination of stunning coastline, UNESCO World Heritage sites, vibrant cultural life and major regeneration opportunities.
We are delivering ambitious programmes alongside a continued focus on financial resilience and transformation.
We are proud of our strong organisational culture, underpinned by our values of caring, fairness, innovation and teamwork.
What We Offer
We offer a genuinely strategic leadership role in a supportive and ambitious organisation, along with:
- A high-profile role with influence across the whole Council
- A supportive and experienced Senior Leadership Team
- The opportunity to shape financial strategy in a forward-looking authority
- Significant exposure and development as Deputy Section 151 Officer
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Investment in leadership development and career progression
- A strong, collaborative culture focused on improvement, innovation and delivery
We are a bilingual authority with immense pride in our Welsh heritage. We provide excellent Welsh language support, including translation services and opportunities to learn or develop your Welsh language skills.
Welsh Language
Although being able to converse in Welsh is desirable for this post, willingness to learn and an awareness of Welsh would be an advantage.
Guidance: Welsh Language Skills Guidance – Conwy County Borough Council
Further Information
For our detailed recruitment pack visit:
https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Council/Jobs-and-Careers/Recruitment/Head-of-Finance-Rev-Bens-Deputy-s151-Officer/Recruitment-Pack.aspx
Closing Date: 30 July 2026
Assessment Process:
- Online assessment (candidates to select a time): 5 – 7 August 2026
- Meeting with Strategic Leadership Team: 12 August 2026
- Interview with Senior Employment Committee: 13 August 2026
Summary
If you are looking for a role where you can influence key decisions, shape financial strategy and help lead a forward-looking council through a period of change, we would welcome your application.