Strategic Finance Manager - Projects and Commercial

Local Government Chronicle; Bradford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Bradford is seeking a Strategic Finance Manager to lead its Management Accounting team. The role involves driving financial strategies, managing a team, and advising on significant projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in financial management and excellent leadership skills. This position offers a chance to influence financial sustainability in a vibrant city.

Benefits

Training and development programs

Supportive work culture

Diverse working environment

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in financial management and project oversight.
• Ability to lead teams and deliver strategic financial advice.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a team to deliver financial objectives.
• Advise on projects and corporate initiatives within the Council.
• Control sensitive financial information and ensure confidentiality.
• Prepare reports for senior management and Elected Members.
• Oversee the maintenance of financial systems and their upgrades.

Skills

Team management

Financial advisory

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Professional Accounting Qualification

Tools

Financial management systems

Job description

Strategic Finance Manager - Projects and Commercial

Bradford Council 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 in order to support the Council’s ambitious new corporate strategy and plans.

A restructure has recently completed with the department now comprising four key teams: Management Accounting; Corporate and Strategic Finance; Projects, Systems and Commercial; and 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 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. CIPFA cites progress in several key areas, including addressing risks identified in the previous review of 2023. They also report that financial planning in Bradford is robust, savings proposals are well considered and are being delivered, even where choices are difficult.
• 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 4 months, both with an unqualified opinion.
• A very positive half year report by the Council’s Independent Board.

The Strategic Finance Manager (Projects & Commercial) role is crucial to the delivery of the Council’s plans and future financial sustainability. The post is key to developing and providing a strategic vision for the future development of the service to enable the council to meet its future challenges whilst fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This role is an opportunity to make a real difference in our vibrant and diverse city.

We are looking for an exceptional individual to join our Management Accounting team in the Finance Department to lead as our Strategic Finance Manager (Projects & Commercial). The successful candidate will be expected to lead, develop and ensure implementation of and review of change management programmes to deliver continual improvement.

Responsibilities

• To manage, lead and motivate a team of staff who provide a range of specialist functions.
• Advising on major special projects, corporate and capital initiatives across all areas of the Council and related parties where appropriate.
• To support and deputise for the Assistant Director of Finance Management Accounting and Head of Management Accounting in providing professional advice on projects and commercial matters in accordance with professional standards, legislative requirements and Council policies and procedures.
• To deal with complex, sensitive and confidential matters on a regular basis and liaise directly with Elected Members and senior management, Trade Unions, senior officers and external agencies, providing professional information and advice on financial matters and control issues. To brief the Assistant Director of Finance Management Accounting and the Strategic Director of Corporate Resources on matters of a significant or sensitive nature in a timely manner.
• To exercise wide-ranging and extensive authority when applying professional judgement, particularly with reference to technical accounting matters relating to projects, financial management systems and compliance with established policies and procedures.
• To ensure compliance with the Council’s information governance policies by ensuring access to highly confidential, personal, financial and political information, is maintained and does not allow for the unauthorised disclosure of any information which would prejudice the interests of the Council.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with Elected Members, senior management 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.
• Responsible for communicating corporate goals, values and objectives and all associated tasks relating to health and welfare of staff which will include, carrying out staff appraisal (to ensure key objectives are met), coaching and mentoring to assist with career progression and ensure staff operate within a learning culture and ensuring corporate standards are met, for example management of sickness absence.
• Prepare and present appropriate reports to senior management and Elected Members as required. Support the Strategic Director of Corporate Resources/S151 in the approval of reports prepared for Executive and other Committees including Corporate Overview & Scrutiny and Governance & Audit, providing advice and guidance as appropriate.
• Oversee the maintenance and good governance and practices associated with the Council’s current Financial Systems and oversee the migration to an upgraded financial system.

How to apply

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

• Andrew Cross, Head of Management Accounting on 07870 386523 or email [e-mail]

Further information is available through the links below, along with the attached Job Profile and Candidate Information Pack.

• Budget Meeting of Council - 06 March 2025
• Statement of Accounts - 2023/24
• CBMDC - External Assurance Review
• Employee Offer

Why work for Bradford Council? Find out why by taking a look at Our Employee Offer.pdf.

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. The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.

Bradford Council
Bradford, UK
Permanent
Published on 16 Sep 2025

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