Chief Financial Officer Job at West Midlands Combined Authority

Chief Financial Officer

West Midlands Combined Authority

Location:
United Kingdom

Category:
Finance

Contract Type:
Not provided

Salary:

139320.00 - 144480.00 GBP / Year

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Job Description:

The Chief Financial Officer will be WMCA’s principal financial adviser and statutory Section 73 Officer, providing strategic leadership and stewardship of public funds. You will translate the Growth Plan’s ambitions into actionable financial decisions, supporting delivery teams, the Portfolio Management Office, and Strategy & Policy functions. Strong regional relationships are essential, enabling collaboration with local authorities, businesses, and public agencies. Your leadership will ensure finance drives transformation, delivers public value, and maintains the highest standards of governance while remaining bold, innovative, and forward-looking.

Job Responsibility:

Act as the designated Section 73 Officer, providing authoritative financial leadership and ensuring statutory and internal compliance
Oversee sound financial stewardship, including accurate statutory reporting and transparent financial disclosures
Shape and implement financial strategy aligned with organisational goals and public priorities
Lead planning, setting, and monitoring of the annual budget, ensuring compliance with regulatory, government, and grant requirements
Direct strategic financial planning and performance management, optimising budgets and productivity
Provide insight and scenario modelling to inform high-level strategic decisions
Advise on risk management, investment, and new commercial ventures
Oversee financial operations, ensuring systems, processes, and teams are agile, commercially aware, and aligned with priorities
Collaborate with the Mayor, Members, and senior leaders to ensure robust governance and agile responses to economic, legislative, and political changes
Champion digital transformation within finance and across the organisation to enhance efficiency and transparency
Inspire and lead a high-performing, inclusive finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Promote financial literacy across the organisation, equipping leaders with tools and insights for informed decisions
Build strong relationships with financial leaders across constituent authorities and stakeholders, promoting shared learning and best practice
Shape and influence organisational strategy, contributing to sustainability, innovation, inclusive growth, and digital transformation initiatives
Present assurance to ARAC and Overview & Scrutiny Committee on financial management and controls

Requirements:

Be a fully qualified accountant with membership of a recognised professional body and a relevant postgraduate qualification
Possess significant experience in a senior statutory finance role, ideally as a Section 73 or Section 151 Officer, with responsibility for financial leadership, governance, and stewardship of public funds
Have extensive knowledge of local government statutory frameworks
Demonstrate highly developed leadership skills, managing and shaping high-performing teams to deliver excellent outcomes
Have experience reporting to Senior Leaders and Elected Members
Be skilled in navigating sensitive political environments and managing diverse stakeholders
Possess extensive public sector financial management experience across finance, investment, and procurement functions relevant to a combined authority
Exhibit a track record of team leadership, empowerment, and motivation
Demonstrate confident decision-making and problem-solving in complex environments
Be a respected sector expert with a strong network, able to influence businesses, organisations, and stakeholders
Show political sensitivity and an ability to work across parties in the collaborative West Midlands public sector landscape
Possess excellent communication and influencing skills, conveying complex issues clearly to diverse audiences
Understand WMCA’s strategic aims and the opportunities and challenges in developing regional policy
Demonstrate strong partnership skills to secure stakeholder commitment, sell ideas, articulate shared visions, and negotiate effectively
Have strategic awareness of WMCA’s financial structure and the impact of decisions on value for taxpayers
Show proven ability to lead, influence, and challenge in fast-paced, high-pressure environments

What we offer:

Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK)
Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs)
28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days
EV car benefit scheme
Healthcare plans
Discounted gym membership, will writing, and mortgage advice
An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate
3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer
Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA
Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts
Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses

Additional Information:

Job Posted:
March 03, 2026

Expiration:
March 15, 2026

Employment Type:

Fulltime

Work Type:

On-site work

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