Advert for Independent Chair of the Audit Committee

This Committee ensures the long-term viability of the Council and holds the executive team, and overall governance, to account for the appropriate monitoring of internal control, risk and reporting for the City Council and its residents.

The City Council seeks someone who is financially qualified and professionally competent with strong governance and modern commercial experience in a public or customer focused organisation. There is a requirement to be strategic, to contribute to organisational and digital transformation, development of new and innovative services and contracts, as well as having a keen eye for detail and willing to deep-dive when necessary, to obtain assurance that financial information is accurate and that controls and risk management systems are robust and kept up to date.

Experience of working with a high performing Audit Committee, at, or near, Board level or equivalent from either health, social care, public sector service, education, charity, social enterprise or commercial sectors is important for this role. There is also a need to demonstrate good chairing skills and an inclusive decision-making style.

Main duties of the role

The primary role of the Independent Chair of the Audit Committee is to bring objectivity, impartiality, experience outside of the Council and credibility with the public and help achieve a non-political focus on governance, risk and control matters.

The independent Chair will supplement the knowledge and experience of elected representatives in specific areas, such as audit or financial reporting and provide continuity outside the political cycle.

The time commitment is approximately two days to be worked flexibly across the month including attendance at the monthly Audit Committee meetings and the term of office is two years from date of appointment.

Government Intervention

This is a challenging  time to join the City Council following the intervention by  the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the appointment of Commissioners  under Direction made under section 15(5) and (6) of the Local Government Act 1999 (“the Act”), in relation to your Authority.

The Directions enable the Commissioners to exercise the following functions:

• All functions associated with the governance and scrutiny of strategic decision making by the Authority.

 • All functions associated with the financial governance and scrutiny of strategic financial decision making by the Authority.

• Arrangements for the proper administration of the Authority’s financial affairs, and all functions associated with the strategic financial management of the Authority. 

More detail about the work of the Commissioners can be found here.

Qualifications for the Role

Recognised financial or accounting qualification.

Experience of working at Board or near Board level or equivalent in a comparable complex, changing organisation.

Understanding of the components of a complex organisation and the processes of planning, financial control, performance management and governance, assurance and risk management.

Please contact janet.lescott@birmingham.gov.uk for an application pack and more details of the role.