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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and ensure transparency for South Yorkshire Police.
- Company: Join South Yorkshire Police, dedicated to making communities safer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible benefits, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public safety while leading financial transformation.
- Qualifications: CCAB or CIMA-qualified with significant public sector finance experience.
- Other info: Supportive work environment with strong focus on work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 116841 - 128310 £ per year.
Pivotal senior leadership position, trusted advisor to the Chief Constable S151 Officer, ensuring long-term financial sustainability & transparency.
About Our Client
South Yorkshire Police cover an area of approximately 600 square miles and a population of almost 1.4 million. Their annual budget is in excess of £300 million and the organisation employs over 3,000 police officers and 2,200 support staff. Their mission is to make communities safer, prevent crime and disorder, and focus on those who cause harm to others. Achieving these objectives requires not only operational excellence but also a high-performing finance function that enables informed decision-making and resource optimisation. South Yorkshire Police is embarking on a significant period of transformation and is seeking to recruit a Chief Finance Officer to lead the next important phase of development.
Job Description
- Fulfil Section 151 statutory responsibilities in accordance with the Local Government Act and CIPFA guidance, ensuring robust governance, compliance and accountability for financial risk.
- Work in formal collaborative partnership with the Chief Finance Officer of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, agreeing protocols for joint financial planning, reporting and risk management.
- Act as a key member of the Senior Command Team, contributing to Force strategy development and implementation, and providing rigorous financial analysis and constructive challenge to support informed decision-making.
- Lead the development and delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), annual revenue budget and capital programme, ensuring alignment with Force priorities and regular review of underlying assumptions.
- Drive integrated business and resource planning, aligning finance, workforce and estates plans to enable sustainable policing and organisational resilience.
- Champion financial transformation and continuous improvement, leveraging digital tools (e.g., ORACLE, EPM) to enhance forecasting, reporting and decision support.
- Ensure timely, accurate and fit-for-purpose financial information is provided to decision-makers, including clear analysis of implications, risks and options.
- Lead financial assurance and scrutiny processes, managing relationships with internal and external audit, and providing expert support and advice to the Joint Audit Committee.
- Establish and monitor a performance framework for the Finance function, including KPIs for accuracy, timeliness, compliance and customer satisfaction, and report regularly to the Senior Command Team.
- Influence business decisions, ensuring opportunities and risks are fully considered and aligned with the Force's financial strategy, and that sufficient resources are available to provide timely, objective financial advice.
- Promote value for money and service efficiency, identifying and delivering savings opportunities while safeguarding public money and maintaining service quality.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the SYMCA, other emergency services and national policing bodies, representing the Force at local, regional and national forums.
- Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of professionalism, collaboration and innovation, and ensuring capability to meet current and future challenges.
The Successful Applicant
- CCAB or CIMA-qualified.
- Significant experience managing a broad range of accounting functions within a public sector organisation of comparable size, complexity, and subject to external scrutiny.
- Proven ability to manage and oversee entire organisational budgets at senior level, demonstrating strong commercial acumen.
- Clear understanding of the financial, political, and operational context in which police forces operate.
- Skilled in supporting, coaching, and influencing teams, senior colleagues, and peers to achieve organisational objectives.
- Effective leadership in planning, negotiating, and delivering change initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate and influence senior stakeholders, including Board members and external partners, to secure buy-in for strategic decisions.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships and communicate complex financial information clearly.
- Proven capability to manage a demanding workload while maintaining a forward-looking strategic approach.
- Previous experience in leading professional staff and driving high performance.
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary ranging from £116,841 to £128,310 per annum, and access to a generous pension scheme.
- Generous annual leave allowance.
- A wide range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
- Comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police.
- Employee Assistant Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice.
- Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to work scheme.
- Membership to the Sports and Social Club.
- Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks.
- A relocation package of up to £8,000 may be offered on a case-by-case basis, subject to the fulfilment of specific requirements.
The closing date for applications is Midnight on Thursday 15th January 2026. Applications will need to include a CV and a Statement of Suitability.
Contact Nicola Harper Quote job ref JN-122025-6903957Z Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.
Chief Finance Officer employer: Michael Page
Contact Detail:
Michael Page Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Finance Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience with public sector organisations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching South Yorkshire Police's recent initiatives and financial strategies. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your understanding of their mission and how your skills can help them achieve it.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Chief Finance Officer role. Highlight your leadership skills and ability to drive financial transformation—this is your time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Finance Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Chief Finance Officer role. Highlight your experience in managing budgets and financial strategies, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you can bring value to South Yorkshire Police!
Craft a Compelling Statement of Suitability: Your Statement of Suitability is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this pivotal role. Be specific about your achievements and how they align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. We’re looking for clarity and passion!
Showcase Your Financial Acumen: Since this role involves significant financial oversight, make sure to highlight your qualifications and experience in public sector finance. Mention any relevant tools or systems you’ve used, like ORACLE or EPM, to demonstrate your tech-savviness. We love a candidate who’s up-to-date!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at South Yorkshire Police. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Chief Finance Officer, 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. Be prepared to explain your approach to financial sustainability and transparency.
✨Understand the Organisation's Mission
Familiarise yourself with South Yorkshire Police’s mission and values. Think about how your financial strategies can support their goals of making communities safer and preventing crime. Show that you’re not just about numbers but also about making a positive impact.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Prepare examples where you’ve had to make tough financial decisions or manage risks. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in building relationships with stakeholders. Discuss how you’ve collaborated with other departments or external partners to achieve financial goals. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, so be ready to showcase your ability to influence and negotiate.
