Finance Manager

North Yorkshire County Council; North East; Hybrid; GBP 66,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector council in the UK is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead financial transformation efforts. The successful candidate will lead the upgrade of the Oracle Financial System and drive strategic projects that enhance financial reporting and compliance. A CCAB/CIMA qualified accountant with a strong background in finance and change management is required for this pivotal role that offers a hybrid working model and generous benefits.

Benefits

27 days holiday, rising to 32 after five years

Option to purchase additional annual leave

Hybrid working model

Employee Assistance Scheme

Professional development opportunities

Employee Benefits Portal and discounts

Staff networks and support schemes

Qualifications

• Experience of delivering and leading complex financial projects.
• Proven track record of providing financial advice to various audiences.
• Experience managing change and business transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Oracle Financial System Upgrade.
• Drive strategic projects linked to commercial growth.
• Redesign financial reporting and new ways of working.

Skills

Leadership in finance

Stakeholder engagement

Change management skills

Strategic thinking

Public service mindset

Education

CCAB/CIMA Qualified Accountant

Job description

Overview

Finance Manager - Durham County Council

Salary: £66,164 to £68,493 p.a. (Band 2) plus benefits and relocation support

Location: The Rivergreen Centre, Durham plus Hybrid Working

Term: Permanent / Full-time (37 hours)

Employer: Durham County Council

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in this role.

Further Information:

Are you an experienced finance leader ready to take on a high-profile role at the heart of a major organisational and financial transformation?

Durham County Council is seeking a dynamic Finance Manager to join our Corporate Finance Team. This is a unique opportunity to lead the implementation of an innovative Oracle Financial System upgrade to Oracle Fusion, drive strategic change, and shape the future of financial management across the Council. The Oracle Fusion project is already gathering pace, and we are embarking on the project implementation phase this winter, for go-live in 2027/28. The role will also play a pivotal role in a number of commercial initiatives and group company arrangements.

What is involved

As Finance Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, commercially focused financial insight that supports decision-making and drives value across the organisation. You'll lead on transformation projects, enhancing financial reporting and controls, and ensure compliance—all while championing innovation and continuous improvement.

You will

• Lead the Oracle Financial System Upgrade for the Finance Function - aligning technology with strategy, compliance, and operational excellence, and working closely with other Workstream Leads for this project (Payroll, Procurement and Income Management).
• Drive Strategic Projects - lead initiatives linked to commercial growth and transformational change.
• Redesign Financial Reporting, financial governance and new ways of working in the Finance Function to ensure the Council optimises the efficiencies from the new Oracle Fusion System - Ensuring timely, accurate, and insightful financial reporting can be delivered.
• Shape Commercial and Financial Strategy with the Council's Group Companies - Set priorities and direction for your team, aligned with corporate objectives together with leading by example to embed the council's values and behaviours.
• Champion Best Practice - Promote high-quality financial management and safeguard public resources.

We're Looking For

• Proven leadership in finance, with a track record of delivering complex projects.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and change management skills.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Passion for public service and driving value for money.

What you will need

We are looking for a CCAB/CIMA Qualified Accountant who has experience of delivering and leading on complex financial projects and providing financial advice and commercial guidance to a range of audiences, together with experience and implementing and managing change and business transformation.

Rewards And Benefits

We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Hybrid Working

Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.

For more information and to apply

If you are interested in joining our team and are inspired to help lead the next phase of our journey, we look forward to your application. To further your interest in the role, please review the full details of the role, supporting documents and details of how to apply on the following link: https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/job/_/285419

Close Date: 23.59 Wednesday 1 October 2025