Waltham Forest Council is set to appoint a Corporate Director of Financial Sustainability, a new role designed to bolster the council's financial management within its transformation programmes.

The Staffing Committee met on 21 October 2025 to interview candidates for the position, which reports to Rob Manning, Strategic Director of Resources, Finance and Governance. The new director will also manage the Interim Head of Transformation Finance and two Senior Finance Analysts, interacting with existing finance roles within the council.

The Chief Officer Appointment CD of Financial Sustainability report noted that financial provision for the post is already included within the council's existing budget. The role is being recruited to in accordance with the Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy and Procedure and will be a fixed term contract of 18 months.

According to the job description outlined in the Public reports pack, the Corporate Director of Financial Sustainability will support the Strategic Director of Resources in developing the council's vision and values, ensuring sound financial management across transformation programmes. This includes coordinating the monitoring of the Council's Revenue and Capital Budget transformation programme. The role is responsible for the delivery of the council's vision through sound financial management in the Council's transformation programmes.

The role's generic accountabilities include leading a portfolio of services, contributing to the council's strategies as a member of the Waltham Forest Management Board, and working with various stakeholders to address issues impacting council services and residents.

The Staffing Committee, chaired by Councillor Paul Douglas, was tasked with interviewing and appointing a suitable candidate. The Agenda frontsheet for the meeting also included Councillors Marion Fitzgerald, Rosalind Doré, Tim James, Sharon Waldron, Elizabeth Baptiste, Catherine Deakin, and Richard Sweden, as well as council officers Frankie Simons, Mark Hynes, Maria Matthews, and Linzi Roberts-Egan.

To be considered for the role, candidates needed to demonstrate:

  • Significant senior strategic management experience, including translating organisational drivers into strategic objectives.
  • Proven ability to manage a wide variety of activities across a range of professional areas of expertise.
  • Extensive knowledge of the major issues facing local government.
  • Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the national policy context.
  • A proven track record of accountability for significant budgets.
  • Proven ability to drive through and deliver effective performance management.
  • Significant experience of creating, leading and sustaining partnerships.
  • Experience in persuading a wide range of stakeholders to work together.
  • Authority and credibility to work effectively in a political environment.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
  • A proven track record of operating strategically to identify, initiate and oversee corporate projects and policy development.
  • Education to degree level or equivalent standard, with a post graduate qualification or relevant professional qualification.