Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

We are a dynamic Financial Management Team responsible for providing a diverse range of functions to drive the Council to fulfil its transformational journey We deliver the full range of financial management and accounting services to facilitate effective delivery of services to support the people of Coventry and deliver projects which are redefining the infrastructure of the city.

Working flexibly with internal officers and external partners we aim to ensure finance is at the heart of everything that the Council does.

The organisation has a high expectation of our service, and we will continue to support and develop our staff to have the skills to deliver a quality service.

What is the job role?

We are excited to offer the opportunity for a finance professional to join our inclusive department.

We are seeking an Operational Manager to work within our Children's & Education Services Finance team whilst also supporting the ongoing delivery of Coventry City Council's 2024/25 Transformation Plan.

In this role you will act as a primary financial business link with service leads and provide strategic financial support and advice to enable effective financial planning and management. You will work with your service area and the wider Council to better understand the challenges and opportunities, create initiatives that will financially benefit the Council and become a proactive and supportive financial advisor.

Through pro-active partnering arrangements and the development of effective financial information, you will ultimately ensure that residents and businesses in Coventry are receiving an efficient service.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a fully qualified Chartered Accountant (CCAB or CIMA) with experience of working in a challenging financial environment who can:

• Develop and interpret complex financial models to inform financial analysis, and subsequently present a compelling rationale for the recommended options in the form of reports and presentations.
• Think innovatively and proactively support policy options and practical solutions that deliver the Council's priorities and enable financial targets to be met.   
• Promote value for money and efficiency throughout all areas of the Council's operation and to look for commercial opportunities and innovation both in the operation of the finance function and in the activities of relevant service areas / projects.
• Work effectively under pressure including meeting unpredictable deadlines and dealing with conflicting demands.
• Work strategically with various stakeholders including directors, service managers, trade unions and external partners to build, maintain and promote effective working relationships.

Within our team people from minority ethnic backgrounds are currently under-represented across our middle management team, as a result we would like to encourage people from minority ethnic backgrounds to apply for this post.  This does not prevent any other applicants with a protected characteristic or a non-protected characteristic from applying.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date(s): Tuesday 5th November AM

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council