Over the past decade Wigan Council has become renowned across the sector and has won multiple awards for its innovative approach to public service delivery.

The council’s commitment to asset-based change and reform alongside its communities has created a unique workforce culture, deep partnership working and a stable financial position.

As the council and its partners embark on an ambitious ‘new era’ built around the strengths and opportunities of the borough, a rare opportunity has arisen to join its top officer team as Director of Finance and Legal.

This is no ordinary position and will be full of opportunities that stretch beyond those typically expected of a Section 151 Officer.

The successful candidate will see possibilities where others see challenges, community engagement will be in their DNA and they will help the council to strengthen the way it works with residents, partners and communities. They will be excited about large scale regeneration projects that will change the landscape and boost the local economy.

This includes a new retail, leisure, commercial and residential destination in the heart of Wigan town centre, a national arts and cultural destination at Haigh Hall and a vast new national nature reserve at Wigan and Leigh Flashes.

The appetite and permission to do things differently within the council’s political and officer leadership is stronger than ever.

For the right candidate this position is a real opportunity to use their financial skill, strategic acumen and collaborative nature to make a difference to people’s lives.

A new co-produced place-wide partnership movement ‘Progress with Unity’, of which the council is a partner, will deliver two key missions, to achieve long-lasting change:

• Create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses by breaking down the barriers that create financial, health, education and environmental inequalities in our borough

• Make all our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them as a genuine partnership with our residents and businesses, who know our communities best, we will help each town and neighbourhood in the borough to celebrate and maintain their identity whilst understanding and helping to achieve what is needed to thrive.

To support these missions the council is committed to community wealth and health building and will use every lever of power it has from procurement, recruitment, land and assets to increase opportunities for local people.

The council’s plan for radical reform will encompass a renewed commitment to neighbourhood working, deeper community engagement and co-production, investment in its workforce and transformation through AI and digital.

Wigan Borough is a desirable place to live being 70% green space, with great schools, colleges, illustrious sporting clubs, friendly and caring communities and an enviable position in the heart of the North West.

As part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Wigan is also at the vanguard of national devolution and the successful candidate will play a key role with colleagues to ensure devolution succeeds for the residents of the city region.

Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Wigan Council’s Leader, said: “Despite the huge challenges we have faced throughout austerity and the cost-of-living crisis Wigan Council has continued to be ambitious, innovative and deliver financial stability.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for the right candidate to join a winning team and be part of a council and a borough that has a unique positive culture and a can-do attitude that is always striving to deliver the best possible public services for our residents.”

This diverse role will provide leadership across the full breadth of finance and legal services, driving transformational services that will deliver on our borough-wide missions to tackle inequalities and make all our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them.

If you are a resilient leader, with experience of strategic financial planning, tackling complex economic challenges, working in a political environment, leading several multi-disciplinary teams and have the ability to develop an inclusive financial strategy that delivers for our residents, then we would love to hear from you.

If you think this job is for you and you would like an informal chat to learn more about the role, please contact Justine Laney on Justine.laney@wigan.gov.uk, who will arrange a call with Tony Clarke (Director Finance and Legal).

Closing date is 2^nd October 2024

Interviews are 11^th October and 21^st October 2024

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.