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For Companies Leeds City Council is seeking an exceptional financial leader to join us as Deputy Chief Officer – Corporate Financial Services. This is a high-impact, strategically vital role supporting the Chief Officer – Financial Services in delivering the Council’s statutory Section 151 responsibilities and ensuring strong, transparent and innovative financial management across the authority.
You will lead the Council’s strategic budgeting, accounting and financial planning functions—shaping financial strategy, ensuring compliance, promoting best practice, and enabling informed decision-making across services, Members and senior officers. This is an opportunity to influence the long-term financial sustainability of one of the UK’s largest local authorities and play a leading role in delivering excellent outcomes for the citizens of Leeds.
About you
We’re looking for an inspiring senior leader with:
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
- A minimum of 5-years’ experience working in a local authority finance setting/Substantial senior-level leadership experience within a complex finance environment.
- A strong track record of delivering strategic financial management in large organisations—ideally within local government or another public sector setting.
- Experience shaping and influencing corporate priorities at citywide, directorate or service level.
- Significant experience developing collaborative, trusted relationships with senior officers, elected Members, Trade Unions and external partners.
- Proven ability to lead and manage substantial budgets and complex financial frameworks.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture where people feel valued and able to achieve their potential.
- Ability to think strategically and innovatively, leading change and challenging traditional approaches.
- Highly developed influencing, problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with confidence in balancing operational needs and corporate priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse complex information, manage risk and develop proportionate, effective solutions.
Values & Behaviours
We are looking for someone who:
- Embodies the Council’s values: Working as a Team for Leeds, Being Open, Honest & Trusted, Working with Communities, Treating People Fairly, Spending Money Wisely.
- Champions diversity, inclusion and fairness.
- Works collaboratively, communicates effectively and builds strong partnerships.
- Models ethical, professional and accountable leadership at all times.
Key Responsibilities
In this senior leadership role, you will:
- Lead the strategic management of the Council’s financial planning, budgeting, accounting and reporting functions.
- Provide high-level financial advice and insight to Members, senior managers and service areas to support effective and accountable decision-making.
- Help develop and deliver the Council’s financial strategy, ensuring services align resources to priorities and operate within risk-aware, compliant frameworks.
- Act as the Council’s Deputy Section 151 Officer, maintaining the integrity of the Council’s accounts, systems and professional standards.
- Drive continuous improvement and modernisation in financial management practices, ensuring the service is proactive, high-performing and adding organisational value.
- Build strong relationships with internal and external partners, including elected Members, Trade Unions, regional bodies and other agencies.
- Lead, motivate and develop finance managers and teams, promoting a high-performance culture and an inclusive, people-centred approach.
- Contribute to cross-Council transformation, service reviews and strategic planning programmes.
- Ensure efficient stewardship of financial resources, assets and budgets, supporting the Council's commitment to value for money.
What we offer you
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions. We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a strong and robust organisation founded on excellent leadership and sound equality, diversity and inclusion policies and practices, built on shared core values
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements including a hybrid model between home and office-based working, flexitime and a generous leave entitlement
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form. Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 1st March – with in-person interviews scheduled for w/c 23rd March. If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact: Victoria Bradshaw – Assistant Chief Executive (Finance Traded and Resources) Victoria.Bradshaw@leeds.gov.uk.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least ÂŁ41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Deputy Chief Officer Finance & Deputy Section 151 Officer in Leeds employer: Leeds Safe Roads Partnership
Contact Detail:
Leeds Safe Roads Partnership Recruiting Team
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Chief Officer Finance & Deputy Section 151 Officer in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Deputy Chief Officer Finance. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about leadership, so don’t hold back! Share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past, especially in a finance setting. We want to see your ability to inspire and manage others.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets to the heart of your experience.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details correctly and can process your application efficiently. Plus, it shows you're tech-savvy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leeds Safe Roads Partnership
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Deputy Chief Officer Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in the past. Prepare examples that showcase your strategic financial management skills.
✨Understand the Council's Values
Leeds City Council has specific values that guide their operations. Familiarise yourself with these values and think about how your leadership style aligns with them. Be prepared to share instances where you've embodied these values in your previous roles.
✨Build Relationships
This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders. Think about how you've built trusted relationships in the past, especially with senior officers and elected Members. Have a few anecdotes ready that highlight your ability to foster partnerships and drive results.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior leader, you’ll need to inspire and motivate teams. Prepare to discuss your leadership philosophy and provide examples of how you've developed high-performing teams. Highlight any initiatives you've led that resulted in significant improvements or innovations.
