A grand job - 87 times over!

With refreshing candour Boston's newest job advert for a Director of Resources & Section 151 Officer says:
"Dear Applicant.
"Boston Borough Council makes no secret of the fact that we have some challenges ahead. We are making progress but this is nowhere near where we want to be. There is no doubt we are ready for a step change in our delivery of quality services to our residents.
"We need to establish a sound base of financial stability and sustainable service improvement whilst driving down our costs and demonstrating real value for money. We are looking to enhance our management team with this senior role which will be key to securing our future. And this is where we hope you will come in, to provide inspired and determined leadership as we strive to become a better performing council, focused on working with our partners, to secure the right outcomes for local people."
The invitation to apply for this poisoned chalice is signed by Council Leader Richard Austin, Portfolio Holder for Financial Management and Corporate Governance Richard Lenton and Interim Chief Executive Richard Harbord.
Looking at the job description it has to be worth every penny of EIGHTY SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS it will pay each year, with a list of no fewer than 36 main duties and responsibilities.
Head hunting this superstar is a company called Veredus, who are "leading providers of executive recruitment, interim management and business psychology to the public, private and not-for-profit sectors," and you can read full details of the post by clicking here and then following the link to the information pack.
Interestingly, Mr Harbord was a Veredus property when he was appointed interim national director of the National Union of Students, so he clearly holds the company in some regard.
Given the use of the words "enhance" and "new" to describe the role of Director of Resources & Section 151 Officer, we assume that this is a newly created job.
"Our council is seeking a new director to take the lead across a broad portfolio of services and statutory financial responsibility for the authority.
"In challenging financial times, achieving further improvements and even greater efficiencies and value for money will be crucial to our council for our future sustainability. As Director of Resources you will be given the space to establish a new approach to efficiency and value for money that not only supports but drives transformation across the Council and the Borough.
"You will support the Chief Executive and Corporate Management Team in the development of overall Council strategies, including the Medium Term Financial Plan, the Capital Strategy and the Community Plan and policies within which effective financial management of individual services can be delivered.
"A strategic thinker, you’ll be a professionally qualified accountant with substantial senior level management experience and the ability to communicate sensitively within a political environment. You’ll have an in-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements relating to key service areas and the ability to communicate effectively with partners, stakeholders and members to secure better outcomes for our all of our customers."
The range of people the post holder is expected to liaise with is equally exhaustive (or exhausting.
"Elected Members of the Council, specifically Leader, Deputy Leader, Group Leaders and Committee Chairmen; Chief Executive and other Directors, Staff of the Directorate, Key Stakeholders in the Community, Government Departments, Peers in County-Wide Initiatives, Voluntary Organisations and Business."
It may sound cynical, but it almost seems as though the council is looking to recruit a Chief Executive elect once Mr Harbord finishes his six month stint with the borough.
The only problem with all of this is that places like Boston are famously not known as magnets for applicants of the quality being sought.
The other problem is that flinging money at high-sounding executive posts doesn't really win friends or influence people among either ratepayers of the council's long suffering staff.

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