Finance Lead - Transport Programme

Interim Finance Lead - Transport Programme

Competitive Day Rate, Inside IR35 6-month contract Hybrid (East Midlands)

A major Transport Transition Programme in the East Midlands is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Lead to oversee the next phase of a high-profile service transfer and modernisation initiative.

This is a strategic senior role leading a small finance team (Finance BPs & Finance Officers) while working closely with internal and external partners to streamline processes, strengthen financial controls, and support the delivery of a newly forming transport function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy, governance and reporting for the next phase of the transport transition.
• Manage and develop a small finance team, ensuring high-quality analysis and insight.
• Act as the key link between service leads, bringing stakeholders together to co-create solutions.
• Oversee income, expenditure and capital accounting for transport services.
• Drive improvements in financial processes following the transfer of bus services.
• Support year-end closedown, work on the transport levy with partner councils, and assist with the implementation of a new finance system.
• Provide expert challenge, problem-solving and business partnering across multiple workstreams.

About You

• Strong background in local government finance (essential).
• Significant experience in finance business partnering and project accounting.
• Skilled in managing teams and building relationships across complex environments.
• Proactive, adaptable, an excellent listener, and confident managing multiple priorities.
• Transport experience is beneficial but not essential.

This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned public sector finance professional to shape and embed financial frameworks within a major regional programme.

Immediate start available.