Head of Corporate Finance, Deputy S151 in Sheffield

About Our Client

South Yorkshire Police serves a diverse and vibrant region covering approximately 600 square miles and a population of almost 1.4 million people. With an annual budget of £380 million and a workforce of over 3,000 police officers and 2,200 support staff, the organisation plays a critical role in protecting communities and delivering essential public services across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster. At its core, South Yorkshire Police is focused on preventing crime and disorder, responding to the needs of victims and communities, and targeting those who cause the most harm. The Force is already high performing, with clear ambitions to build on this and drive future policing to an even higher standard.

Working as part of a cohesive leadership team, the finance function plays a vital role in enabling these priorities, ensuring every pound is used effectively, efficiently and in the public interest. This goes beyond managing budgets, requiring strong insight, influence and leadership to support confident decision‑making at the highest levels of the organisation. South Yorkshire Police is entering an important period of transformation, with a clear focus on strengthening its financial capability, embracing innovation and continuous improvement, and enhancing the impact of recent investment in systems and infrastructure. Police staff work side by side with officers, united by a shared commitment to protecting and supporting communities. This is an opportunity to join a purpose‑led organisation at a pivotal moment, where inclusive, values‑led leadership will play a key role in shaping the future of finance and supporting the delivery of safer communities across South Yorkshire.

Job Description

Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, this is a visible and influential leadership role at a pivotal point for South Yorkshire Police and the wider policing sector. This is not a traditional technical finance role. You will play a key part in shaping the future direction of the finance function, working closely with the CFO to lead the organisation through a significant period of transformation. You will bring teams together, create clarity from complexity, and ensure finance is a trusted, forward‑looking partner to the wider organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strong, values‑led leadership to an established finance team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement
• Acting as a key member of the senior finance leadership team, working in partnership with the CFO to shape the long‑term direction of travel for the function
• Translating strategic priorities into clear, actionable financial plans, ensuring alignment between organisational objectives and delivery on the ground
• Building strong, credible relationships across the organisation, acting as the bridge between senior leadership, operational stakeholders and budget holders
• Driving a more outward‑facing, business‑partnering approach to finance, helping non‑finance colleagues understand financial context and make informed decisions
• Supporting the organisation to navigate complexity, scale and pace, ensuring finance keeps up with the demands of a dynamic and evolving environment
• Leading through change, helping the organisation unlock the benefits of recent system investment and embedding more insight‑led ways of working
• Developing and motivating teams to perform at their best, creating an environment where people feel engaged, supported and part of a shared purpose
• Championing the role of finance within policing, ensuring it is seen as a proactive, enabling function rather than a transactional service

This is an opportunity to join at the start of a transformation journey, not to maintain the status quo, but to help build, shape and lead what comes next.

The Successful Applicant

We are seeking a values‑led, visible and engaging finance leader who brings people with them. This role is as much about leadership, influence and judgement as it is about technical expertise. You will be someone who can operate confidently at a senior level, translating strategic direction into meaningful action, and connecting finance with the wider organisation. This is an opportunity for an individual who is either operating at this level already or ready to step up, demonstrating the potential, self‑awareness and ambition to grow into a critical leadership role within policing.

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification (e.g. CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Senior‑level finance experience within a large, complex organisation (public sector or similarly complex environment highly advantageous)
• A leadership style that brings teams together, motivates performance and creates a strong sense of shared purpose
• The ability to operate at both a strategic and operational level, translating organisational priorities into clear, deliverable financial outcomes
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and build credibility across a diverse, non‑finance audience
• Experience of working at pace within a complex environment, with the resilience and adaptability to navigate change and ambiguity
• The ability to act as the bridge between senior leadership priorities and delivery on the ground

Critically, we are looking for someone who:

• Is more than a technical accountant. You will be a leader first, with the ability to shape, influence and drive change
• Can communicate financial information in a clear and engaging way, bringing colleagues with varying levels of financial understanding on the journey
• Demonstrates a genuine interest in, and passion for, policing and public service
• Brings curiosity and a growth mindset, with the ability to develop both themselves and others
• Understands that this is not a caretaker role, but an opportunity to join at the start of a transformation journey and help shape what comes next

We welcome applications from individuals with a range of backgrounds. Whilst experience within policing is advantageous, we are open to candidates who can demonstrate transferable skills from across the public sector, the right leadership profile and the potential to succeed in a fast‑paced, high‑profile public service environment.

What's on Offer

• Salary ranging from £77,259 to £86,055 per annum depending on experience
• Generous annual leave allowance of 34 days (plus bank holidays)
• LGPS Pension Scheme with an employer pension contribution of 11.6%
• Hybrid working available with a minimum requirement of 3 days a week in the office
• Flexible working and flexi‑time available as well as a number of excellent family‑friendly policies

Process and Key Dates

• Application Deadline: Thursday 2nd July before 23:59pm
• First Stage Interviews: 15th and 21st July 2026
• Final Stage Interviews: 24th or 27th July 2026