Finance Manager - Systems in London

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 to support the Council's ambitious new corporate strategy and plans. A restructure has recently completed with 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.

A new service plan is being developed during 2025 with a clear strategic focus, including a development plan to deliver financial literacy across the organisation and to elevate the Finance team's impact while supporting the Council's strategic plans and its financial sustainability and recovery programme. The team has recently been instrumental in helping the Council secure: the lifting of the Best Value Notice (February 2024 to February 2025); a positive CIPFA review highlighting progress toward financial sustainability; completion of the 2025/26 budget earlier than planned; closure and audit sign‐off of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 accounts with unqualified opinions; and a positive half year report from the Council's Independent Board.

The Finance Manager - Systems is crucial to delivering the Council's plans and developing the council's financial systems infrastructure. The post is key as the Council upgrades its financial systems and introduces an ERP system. The postholder will contribute to developing the strategic vision for the service to meet future challenges and foster a culture of continuous improvement. This role offers an opportunity to make a real difference in our vibrant and diverse city.

We are looking for an exceptional individual to join our dedicated Finance Department and lead as our Finance Manager - Systems. The successful candidate will be expected to lead, develop and implement change management programmes to deliver continual improvement.

• To positively support and deliver the vision, values and strategic objectives of the Council's services by providing constructive and timely advice on financial systems matters and identifying innovative solutions as appropriate.
• Work with managers in service departments to confirm systems requirements and changes to support revenue and capital accounting and monitoring; support maintenance and development of the main accounting and support systems.
• Anticipate and identify system impacts of key financial issues and risks affecting the business; resolve issues with Senior Managers and identify mitigating actions to ensure net expenditure is within budget; escalate to Strategic Finance Manager and other senior colleagues any business issues not resolved by Service Managers.
• Be an effective liaison point between the Systems, Projects and Commercial team and the Corporate and Strategic Finance team and Government Departments to ensure completion of all statutory returns.
• With the Strategic and Corporate Finance Teams ensure systems support the delivery of financial and commercial analysis to support the financial strategy, decision making and service reviews; help to deliver robust financial and commercial analysis for business cases including signing-off financial implications for reports and for Gateway Reviews.
• Manage financial modelling of new systems or changes to existing services, including impact from specific legislation/policy changes; assess implications for the Council.
• Provide support (guidance, encouragement, challenge and advice) to system users during budget preparation, monthly monitoring, year‐end and closure of accounts, helping them understand the financial information required and processes to be followed.
• Deputise for the Head of Projects, Systems and Commercial and/or the Strategic Finance Specialist on systems related matters and other matters within their areas of expertise as required; substitute or deputise for other Finance Managers within the team as required.
• Proactively manage day‐to‐day performance of staff within direct control (reward good and address poor performance) including recruitment, appraisal, conflict resolution and continuing professional development of self and team.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with top management and other senior officers, other Council services, external agencies and peer groups to ensure the service is at the forefront of innovation and change.
• Represent and promote the Council on finance systems issues at appropriate local, regional and national forums and maintain and develop working relationships with professional bodies to ensure effective representation and networking.
• Actively seek continuous improvement in the performance and development of the Finance Service and facilitate best value in service delivery.

If you are interested in joining our team and would like some further information, please contact: Andrew Cross, Head of Management Accounting on 07870 386523 or email andrew.cross@bradford.gov.uk; Celia Yang on 07977 814829 or email celia.yang@bradford.gov.uk.

Further information is available through the links below, along with the attached Job Profile and Candidate Information Pack.

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