Strategic Finance Lead

Job Introduction

Job Title: Strategic Finance Lead
Working Pattern: Permanent, 37 hours per week
Salary: £65,878 to £71,709
Location: Lincoln
Closing Date: Sunday 19th April 2026
Interviews: Week commencing May 11th 2026

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our Financial Services Team as Strategic Finance Lead, Financial Accounting, and to play a key role within the Financial Services Leadership Team.

Lincolnshire County Council has a strong culture and proven track record of sound financial management. In 2024/25 the Council continued to deliver services within its financial plan, maintaining a healthy financial position. This role offers the opportunity to be part of a high‑performing team that supports the Council in making the decisions needed to ensure the long‑term financial sustainability of services for Lincolnshire.

You will be joining a service that places people at the heart of what it does. Our evolving learning environment promotes continuous personal and professional development, ensuring we have the right skills and capability to respond to an increasingly challenging financial landscape.

The Role

This role is pivotal in fostering collaborative relationships, ensuring that finance is a strategic partner at the core of decision-making. You will be empowered to review and optimise current processes and workstreams, prioritising effectiveness to maximize impact and outcomes. You will be expected to shape strategy and business results by collaborating on policy goals, providing expert analysis and interpretation, and presenting solutions to address challenges and seize opportunities.

This role is responsible for leading the closure of the Council’s accounts and the preparation of the Statement of Accounts. You will ensure these are prepared in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations and relevant codes of practice.  Working closely with colleagues, the role will monitor, assess the impact of, and implement new legislation, regulation, and accounting standards.  

Through effective influencing, commercial awareness and evidence‑based financial advice, the role makes a significant contribution to delivering services within available resources. This supports the Council in achieving value for money and delivering the best possible outcomes for the people and place of Lincolnshire.

The Candidate

You will bring a strong combination of technical expertise and people skills, alongside a commitment to continuous professional development. Proven leadership capability and experience of creating a learning culture that encourages continuous improvement are essential. Your ability to listen, interpret, influence and provide constructive challenge will see you recognised as a trusted partner who supports services to achieve their objectives.

The successful candidate will be experienced in balancing multiple responsibilities, prioritising based on urgency and service/customer need adapting quickly to the changing environment.  

You will be comfortable managing competing priorities, adapting quickly to change and balancing urgency with service and customer need. A CCAB or CIMA qualification is required, along with enthusiasm for innovation and new ways of working. A strategic mindset, flexibility and a positive, collaborative approach will enable you to operate effectively and enhance financial sustainability.

You will act as a role model for the Council’s values and behaviours, supporting the development of others and helping the team to respond positively and creatively to evolving expectations.

Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements.

If you would like an open and informal discussion regards this role then please contact; Pam Clipson via email pam.clipson@lincolnshire.gov.uk

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.  Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.