Strategic Finance Specialist - Systems

 Closing Date:

25/04/2025

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 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 new service plan is being developed during 2025 with a clear strategic focus and direction including a development plan to focus on delivering financial literacy across the organisation, while at the same time, 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 being made in several key areas, including the addressing of 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 role Strategic Finance Specialist - Systems 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 dedicated team in the Finance Department to lead as our Strategic Finance Specialist  - Systems. The successful candidate will be expected to lead, develop and ensure implementation and review of change management programmes to deliver continual improvement. 

 The main responsibilities of this role are:

• To direct and manage a professional specialist accounting team in overseeing the provision of financial systems support to the Finance team and Council departments. 
• Support the Director of Finance, Strategic Directors and Assistant Directors in service areas to provide systems support and development that enables the strategic financial direction of the Council to be achieved. This includes strategic oversight of both finance and related systems to meet corporate priorities ensuring there is a combined focus on ensuring priorities are delivered within agreed timescale. 
• Anticipate and identify key financial issues and risks affecting the business which require attention and systems solutions, resolve issues with Senior Managers and identify mitigating actions to ensure net expenditure is within budget, escalate to Head of Projects, Systems and Commercial Management Accounting and other senior colleagues any business issues not resolved by Service Managers. 
• To provide the strategic direction for the development and maintenance of financial systems and practices. Ensure that information is held in an interactive and intuitive medium to assist with decision making by senior management. 
• To provide systems that enable concise and intuitive financial information to Strategic Directors, CMT and Members to influence the long-term financial sustainability of the Council, whilst meeting priorities. 
• To promote business solutions ensuring the Council maximises its position, liaising with external advisors as appropriate. 
• To manage the development and continuous improvement of medium- and long-term financial forecasting systems within the Council. To liaise with government departments and strategic groups to enable best practice and shared knowledge to integral to the forecasting models. 
• To work with the Head of Systems, Projects and Commercial, Head of Management Accounting and the Head of Strategic and Corporate Finance on the analysis of government announcements, funding settlements and policy statements to ensure that financial implications are captured and reflected within financial forecasting systems developments and projections.

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 Andrew.Cross@Bradford.gov.uk, or
• Mike Thomas on 07738 128501 or email Mike.Thomas@Bradford.gov.uk. 

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.