Property Finance Manager

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide strategic financial leadership and business partnering support to Property Services, ensuring the effective management of revenue and capital budgets during a period of significant change and investment across the Council's property portfolio.

The postholder will lead on budget realignment, financial forecasting, medium-term financial planning and capital investment analysis, supporting the Council in achieving financial sustainability, delivering value for money and improving financial performance across the property estate.

Working closely with senior managers, budget holders and the Director of Property, the role will challenge expenditure, identify efficiencies and provide robust financial analysis to support informed decision-making and long-term asset investment planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the lead finance business partner for Property Services.
  
• Review and challenge existing revenue and capital budgets across the property portfolio.
  
• Support the realignment of revenue and capital expenditure budgets.
  
• Lead the preparation, management and monitoring of Property Services revenue and capital budgets.
  
• Prepare and maintain accurate monthly, quarterly and annual financial forecasts.
  
• Analyse expenditure, income, capital investment programmes and budget performance.
  
• Identify financial risks, overspends, pressures and opportunities and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
  
• Support Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) planning, including modelling the impact of property disposals, income changes and investment programmes.
  
• Provide robust financial modelling and scenario planning to support strategic decision making.
  
• Support budget holders in achieving agreed financial targets and savings requirements.
  
• Review and challenge spending assumptions and business cases to ensure value for money.
  
• Monitor capital projects and investment programmes, providing financial oversight and analysis.
  
• Produce high-quality management information, financial reports and performance data for senior managers, directors and elected members.
  
• Support the identification and delivery of efficiencies, savings opportunities and service improvements.
  
• Provide financial advice and support relating to asset management, property investment and estate rationalisation programmes.
  
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, accounting standards, governance requirements and Council policies.
  
• Support audit requirements and provide information to internal and external auditors when required.
  
• Maintain effective financial controls and promote best practice financial management across Property Services.
  
• Contribute to strategic projects and transformation initiatives affecting the Council's property portfolio.
  

Requirements

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent CCAB qualification).
  
• Significant experience in financial management, budgeting and forecasting.
  
• Experience providing strategic financial business partnering support.
  
• Experience preparing and managing revenue and capital budgets.
  
• Strong knowledge of financial planning, financial reporting and budget monitoring processes.
  
• Experience undertaking financial analysis, forecasting and performance evaluation.
  
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial modelling skills.
  
• Experience identifying financial risks, efficiencies and savings opportunities.
  
• Ability to challenge budget assumptions and influence financial decision-making.
  
• Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
  
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  
• Ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
  
• Experience producing reports for senior management and decision-makers.
  

Desirable

• Experience within Local Government or Public Sector Finance.
  
• Experience supporting Property Services, Asset Management or Estates functions.
  
• Knowledge of capital programme management and property investment planning.
  
• Experience supporting Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) development.
  
• Knowledge of local government financial regulations and funding arrangements.
  
• Experience supporting organisations undergoing financial recovery or transformation programmes.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Hybrid Working
  
• Hours Per Week: 37 Hours
  
• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments