Principle Advisor - Systems

Local Government Chronicle; Bradford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governmental authority in Bradford is seeking a Principal Advisor (Systems) to lead in developing the Council's Finance Systems. This role involves ensuring the effective use of processes, maintaining accurate financial data, and supporting the Council's strategic objectives. Candidates should excel in building relationships with stakeholders and providing professional financial guidance. Strong expertise and commitment to continuous improvement are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Exceptional individual to develop the Council's Finance Systems.
• Ability to ensure effective and efficient use of processes.
• Experience in maintaining accurate financial data.

Responsibilities

• Support and deliver vision and strategic objectives.
• Develop relationships with senior managers and external agencies.
• Provide professional advice on systems and procedures.
• Supervise the work of other section members.
• Promote training to finance staff on system matters.
• Keep up to date on professional skills.

Job description

Bradford Finance is undergoing significant change and investment. Having been under resourced for a number of years, it is now entering a new phase of development and strategic focus to support the Council’s ambitious new corporate strategy and plans.

A restructure has recently been completed with the department now comprising of three key teams:

• Management Accounting
• Corporate and Strategic Finance
• Internal Audit, Risk, Business Development and Improvement.

The restructure includes significant additional capacity and investment in training and development. A greatly enhanced finance team is being developed during 2025/2026 with a clear strategic focus and direction including a development plan elevating the impact of the Finance team within the organisation to support and drive the Council’s strategic plans whilst delivering its financial sustainability and recovery programme.

The team has recently been highly instrumental in the last 12 months in helping the Council secure:

• the lifting of the Best Value Notice put in place in February 2024 by February 2025, an unprecedented achievement
• a very positive review by CIPFA about progress being made in Bradford to become financially sustainable.
• completion of the 2025/26 budget much earlier than previously.
• closure and audit sign off, of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 accounts in the last few months, both with an unqualified opinion.
• a very positive half year report by the Council’s Independent Board

The Principal Advisor (Systems) role is crucial to the delivery of the Council’s plans and future financial sustainability. The post is key to supporting and delivering the key strategic objectives for the future development of the Council’s service to enable the council to meet its future challenges whilst fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

We are looking for an exceptional individual to help develop the Councils Finance Systems as our Principal Advisor (Systems) and to join our Corporate and Strategic Finance - system team.

The successful candidates will be expected to lead on the development of the Council’s Finance systems, ensuring the most effective and efficient use of processes and maintaining accurate financial data.

Main Responsibilities

• To positively support and deliver the vision, values and strategic objectives of the Council’s services through providing constructive and timely advice on all financial systems and processes of a financial nature.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with senior managers and other senior officers, other Council services, external agencies and peer groups working corporately and cooperatively to ensure the service is at the forefront of innovation and change.
• To promote business solutions ensuring the Council maximises its position, liaising with external advisors as appropriate.
• To provide professional advice and support on all systems and procedures in accordance with professional standards, legislative requirements and Council policies and procedures.
• To supervise the work of other members of the section as appropriate.
• To deputise for the Finance Manager – Systems.
• To promote and deliver training to finance staff on all system matters.
• Actively develop the capacity for keeping up to date on professional skills and specialised knowledge.

How To Apply

If you are interested in joining our team and would like some further information, please contact:

• Tracey Kay, Finance Manager, Systems Strategic via email: [e-mail]
• Celia Yang, Head of Corporate and Strategic Finance via email: [e-mail]

Equal Opportunities

We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender re-assignment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, religion or belief nationality or age. And, as an equal opportunities employer, the Council strives to employ the best qualified people from a diverse range of applicants.