Introduction from Homira Javadi - Director of Finance and Performance (Chief Finance Officer – S151 Officer)
Welcome to Lewes & Eastbourne Councils. On this website you will find details about vacancies that we currently have in our Financial Services Department. You would also find additional information available on the other pages of this site to provide you with an early insight about our councils and about the great benefits you will have should you be successful in your application for our roles.
My management team and I are very fortunate to have a committed and experienced team of finance professional supporting us in our journey of continuous improvement and value driven services and would look forward to welcoming you to our team to be part of this amazing experience.
If you’re interested in applying for one of our roles and you think you have the skills, experience and positive attitude that we are looking for, then we’d love to hear from you. I wish you every success in your application.
About Us
Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils are two high performing Local Authorities who joined forces five years ago, working together and sharing resources to ensure the continued delivery of excellent services to the people of Lewes & Eastbourne.
Together Lewes & Eastbourne Councils (LEC) have a lot to offer, from the beauty of the South Downs National Park, the historic Eastbourne seafront with its array of Victorian hotels, the 19th-century Eastbourne Pier and it’s 1930s bandstand to the excitement of the Eastbourne Devonshire Park complex which hosts the International Eastbourne Tennis Tournament as well as a wide variety of shows and performances.
Even if you don’t live close to Lewes & Eastbourne most Council services operate on a remote basis with requirements to attend the office limited to one or two days per month. We employ officers based on their skills and experience rather than where they live.
It is an exciting time to be joining LEC, both Councils have been successful in securing both Towns Fund and Levelling Up funding to regenerate both town centres, support individuals into employment, improve local transport links and invest in local culture. In addition, both councils have ambitious plans to use technology to transform its back-office services over the coming years.
If this sounds like an environment you would thrive in and you are an ambitious finance professional looking to make a difference, then we want to hear from you.
Working with our partners at Castlefield Recruitment and following a review of services and the recent departure of staff to other roles we have a number of opportunities within our Financial Planning Team including the following roles:
- Head of Financial Planning
- Finance Business Partner
- Senior Financial Assistant
The Financial Planning Team provides financial support and advice to Budget Holders, Heads of Service, Directors, and stakeholders across the full range of services delivered by Eastbourne Borough Council and Lewes District Council.
As part of the Finance Planning Team, you will work alongside colleagues to constructively challenge and provide financial support and advice to a number of Budget Holders, activities, initiatives, and projects.
You will need to build good relationships and work closely and collaboratively with budget managers, supporting them with monthly tasks including budget monitoring, identification of risks and mitigation, monitor delivery of savings, provide support to the budget setting process, year-end tasks, and projects as required.
Overall, you will bring a track record of success and experience, combined with strong communication skills, technical expertise, enthusiasm, innovation and new ways of delivering services.
If you are interested in any of these roles and think you have what it takes to help LEC succeed, then we want to hear from you.
Finance Service Overview
The Financial Service purpose is to maintain high standards of financial management and control, contribute to corporate management, leadership and support officers and members in an effective and responsive manner. Finance Section plays an important role in the overall financial management of both Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils facilitating the preparation of the Council’s financial plans, policies, budgets and accounts, ensuring effective budget monitoring and control, undertaking treasury management, arranging insurance, providing financial advice and training, undertaking internal audit, strategic procurement and reporting on financial performance.
The Finance Section also provides an important support service to both Councils front-line services, by undertaking the payment of salaries and wages of staff, processing and payment of creditor’s invoices, and assisting in the collection and banking of income.
In doing so, the Finance Section helps ensure that both Councils meets statutory requirements in relation to financial management, accounting and audit, and assists in delivering value for money to local tax payers, by putting in place sound arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in use of the Council’s financial resources. Finance Service key priorities are –
- To achieve an “unqualified” external audit opinion in respect of both Councils Statement of Accounts audit from the Council’s external auditors.
- To prepare the Accounting Statements and Annual Governance Statement, for approval by the Council by no later than 30 September each year.
- To prepare the Council’s annual Revenue and Capital Budgets for approval by the Council by no later than 31 January each year.
- To update the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Plan for approval by the Council by no later than 30 September each year.
- To ensure that effective budgetary control arrangements are put in place to allow the effective management, monitoring and control of both Councils Revenue and Capital Budgets.
- To prepare quarterly reports on the Council’s financial position and report these to both Councils Audit Committees and Cabinets.
- To provide accurate, timely, relevant and clear financial information to Trading Companies Board Members.
- To provide an efficient and effective internal audit service facilitating the annual review of all major services, systems and processes of the Council.
- To support the personal development needs of Finance Service staff.
*very occasional trips to the office would be required
At Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils, we strive for fair representation within our workforce and, as the successful applicant will lead activity that will change the way we provide services for all customers, we value the importance of a diverse workforce. It is recognised that there are challenges for people with protected characteristics in the job market, therefore, we encourage and welcome applications from underrepresented groups for these roles, specifically, women and black and minority ethnic candidates.
Candidate Packs
Want to find out more about working for Lewes and Eastbourne Councils?
Download the candidate pack and get all the information you need to ensure this is the perfect opportunity for you.
Click the link button to download.
Structure Charts
Council Corporate Plans
Our Locations
MEET YOUR CONSULTANT
Meet the Consultant
Matthew Swindell
Government Finance Division
Matthew leads Castlefield’s Local Government Finance Division, recruiting roles up to Director level.
He has an extensive nationwide network, with a strong track of record partnering with a range of local authorities across the UK, on both a retained and contingent basis.
He prides himself on his personable and honest approach to recruitment, building on Castlefield’s successes in delivering on significant retained and multi-vacancy campaigns across the sector.
Our Referral Scheme
Should you recommend a candidate not currently registered with Castlefield, who is then successful in starting an assignment via one of our consultants, we will send you a voucher worth £250 or donate the same amount to a charity of your choice.
Timescales
Interview dates: Starting w/c 8th January, 2024
How to apply
Please send your CV and cover letter to;
leweseastbourne@castlefieldrecruitment.com
Alternatively call us via the link below or email
matthew.swindell@castlefieldrecruitment.com
for more information on the opportunities.
Castlefield Recruitment constantly seeks to deliver a professional, honest and straightforward approach that not only offers the highest level of service, but also strives to stay at the forefront of an ever-changing market place.