Strategic Finance Manager - Projects and Commercial in Bradford

Bradford Finance is undergoing significant change and investment. Having been under resourced for a number of years, it is now entering a new phase of development and strategic focus in order to support the Council’s ambitious new corporate strategy and plans.

A restructure has recently completed with the department now comprising four key teams: Management Accounting; Corporate and Strategic Finance; Projects, Systems and Commercial; and Internal Audit, Risk, Business Development and Improvement. The restructure includes significant additional capacity and investment in training and development, with a greatly enhanced finance team being developed during 2025 to support and drive the Council’s strategic plans whilst delivering its financial sustainability and recovery programme.

The team has recently been highly instrumental in helping the Council secure:

• the lifting of the Best Value Notice put in place in February 2024 by February 2025;
• a very positive review by CIPFA about progress being made in Bradford to become financially sustainable;
• completion of the 2025/26 budget much earlier than previously;
• closure and audit sign off of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 accounts with an unqualified opinion;
• a very positive half‑year report by the Council’s Independent Board.

This role is crucial to the delivery of the Council’s plans and future financial sustainability. It involves developing and providing a strategic vision for the future development of the service to enable the council to meet its future challenges whilst fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• To manage, lead and motivate a team of staff who provide a range of specialist functions.
• Advising on major special projects, corporate and capital initiatives across all areas of the Council and related parties where appropriate.
• To support and deputise for the Assistant Director of Finance Management Accounting and Head of Management Accounting in providing professional advice on projects and commercial matters in accordance with professional standards, legislative requirements and Council policies and procedures.
• To deal with complex, sensitive and confidential matters on a regular basis and liaise directly with Elected Members and senior management, Trade Unions, senior officers and external agencies, providing professional information and advice on financial matters and control issues.
• To brief the Assistant Director of Finance Management Accounting and the Strategic Director of Corporate Resources on matters of a significant or sensitive nature in a timely manner.
• To exercise wide‑ranging and extensive authority when applying professional judgement, particularly with reference to technical accounting matters relating to projects, financial management systems and compliance with established policies and procedures.
• To ensure compliance with the Council’s information governance policies by ensuring access to highly confidential, personal, financial and political information is maintained and does not allow for unauthorised disclosure of any information which would prejudice the interests of the Council.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with Elected Members, senior management and other senior officers, other Council services, external agencies and peer groups working corporately and cooperatively to ensure the service is at the forefront of innovation and change.
• Responsible for communicating corporate goals, values and objectives and all associated tasks relating to health and welfare of staff, including carrying out staff appraisal, coaching and mentoring to assist with career progression, ensuring staff operate within a learning culture and ensuring corporate standards are met, for example management of sickness absence.
• Prepare and present appropriate reports to senior management and Elected Members as required.
• Support the Strategic Director of Corporate Resources/S151 in the approval of reports prepared for Executive and other Committees including Corporate Overview & Scrutiny and Governance & Audit, providing advice and guidance as appropriate.
• Oversee the maintenance and good governance and practices associated with the Councils current Financial Systems and oversee the migration to an upgraded financial system.

Equal Opportunities

We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender re‑assignment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, religion or belief, nationality or age. And, as an equal opportunities employer, the Council strives to employ the best qualified people from a diverse range of applicants.