Head of Strategic and Corporate Finance

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share.\\n\\nWe currently have a vacancy for a Head of Finance to join our Finance and Commercial Services Directorate.\\n\\nThis is a fixed term opportunity to 30 June 2026 to provide additional senior leadership capacity to help deliver a number of key deliverables for the Finance team that will support the organisation to deliver on its ambitious missions for the region.\\n\\nReporting to the Director of Finance and Commercial Services, this role will work alongside other senior members of the Finance team and key stakeholders across the business to deliver key programmes and projects. The role requires a commercial and strategic approach to finance, strong leadership skills and ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver to internal and external deadlines. Due to the need to hit the ground running in this interim role, experience in Mayoral Combined Authority or Local Authority finance is required.\\n\\nOur Offer\\n\\nAlongside a competitive salary, we offer an excellent benefits package including:\\n\\n * \\n\\n Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).\\n\\n * \\n\\n Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Investing in you – Take advantage of fully funded professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.\\n\\nThe Role\\n\\nReporting into the Director of Finance and Commercial Services, your key responsibilities will include:\\n\\n * \\n\\n Support leadership of the finance function providing clear direction to provide high standards of professional expertise in finance.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Lead on the provision of commercial financial insight and advice on programmes and projects as directed.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Utilise commercial/technical knowledge enabling analysis and understanding of complex financial proposals.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Lead on the development and management of strong and effective financial systems, records and other internal controls, simplifying transactional processes and enabling a focus on strategic matters.\\n\\nAbout You\\n\\nYou will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:\\n\\n * \\n\\n CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant as well as membership of CCAB/CIMA or equivalent\\n\\n * \\n\\n Extensive practical experience of successfully performing in a similar role.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Understanding of managing a multi-disciplinary finance team within a complex public body.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Strong communication skills with proven ability to initiate culture change, influence, negotiate and challenge.\\n\\n * \\n\\n Comprehensive experience of leading, negotiating and influencing stakeholders.\\n\\nTo Apply\\n\\nIf this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile.

Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on this page for support in completing your application form.\\n\\nFurther Information\\n\\nThe Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity.

or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.\\n\\nUnder the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.\\n\\nPlease note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis