Job title: Deputy Chief Officer – Corporate Financial Services
Salary: DIR 65 £86,426 - £94,856
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds – Hybrid Working – Civic Hall Leeds and WFH
Closing Date and Time: Sunday 1st March at 23:59
Leeds is made up of 812,000 people - from a diverse range of backgrounds, speaking over 175 different languages. A city with a unique geography - a vibrant urban centre surrounded by towns, villages and more rural areas, each with their own distinct history and character. We are proud to be a welcoming city, where our rich culture and diversity is celebrated and accessible for all. Every person in Leeds counts and should have the opportunity to contribute their strengths to Team Leeds. Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees and we seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our and ambitions.
About the role
Leeds City Council is seeking an exceptional financial leader to join us as Deputy Chief Officer – Corporate Financial Services. This is a high‑impact, strategically vital role supporting the Chief Officer – Financial Services in delivering the Council’s statutory Section 151 responsibilities and ensuring strong, transparent and innovative financial management across the authority.
You will lead the Council’s strategic budgeting, accounting and financial planning functions—shaping financial strategy, ensuring compliance, promoting best practice, and enabling informed decision‑making across services, Members and senior officers.
This is an opportunity to influence the long‑term financial sustainability of one of the UK’s largest local authorities and play a leading role in delivering excellent outcomes for the citizens of Leeds.
About you
We’re looking for an inspiring senior leader with:
Essential Qualifications
1. A CCAB accountancy qualification
2. Evidence of continuous professional development.
Professional Experience
3. A minimum of 5-years’ experience working in a local authority finance setting/
4. Substantial senior‑level leadership experience within a complex finance environment.
5. A strong track record of delivering strategic financial management in large organisations—ideally within local government or another public sector setting.
6. Experience shaping and influencing corporate priorities at citywide, directorate or service level.
7. Significant experience developing collaborative, trusted relationships with senior officers, elected Members, Trade Unions and external partners.
8. Proven ability to lead and manage substantial budgets and complex financial frameworks.
Leadership & Strategic Competencies
9. Strong leadership skills with the ability to build high‑performing teams and foster a culture where people feel valued and able to achieve their potential.
10. Ability to think strategically and innovatively, leading change and challenging traditional approaches.
11. Highly developed influencing, problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities, with confidence in balancing operational needs and corporate priorities.
12. Demonstrated ability to analyse complex information, manage risk and develop proportionate, effective solutions.
Values & Behaviours
We are looking for someone who:
13. Embodies the Council’s values:
Working as a Team for Leeds, Being Open, Honest & Trusted, Working with Communities, Treating People Fairly, Spending Money Wisely.
14. Champions diversity, inclusion and fairness.
15. Works collaboratively, communicates effectively and builds strong partnerships.
16. Models ethical, professional and accountable leadership at all times.
Key Responsibilities
In this senior leadership role, you will:
17. Lead the strategic management of the Council’s financial planning, budgeting, accounting and reporting functions.
18. Provide high‑level financial advice and insight to Members, senior managers and service areas to support effective and accountable decision‑making.
19. Help develop and deliver the Council’s financial strategy, ensuring services align resources to priorities and operate within risk‑aware, compliant frameworks.
20. Act as the Council’s Deputy Section 151 Officer, maintaining the integrity of the Council’s accounts, systems and professional standards.
21. Drive continuous improvement and modernisation in financial management practices, ensuring the service is proactive, high‑performing and adding organisational value.
22. Build strong relationships with internal and external partners, including elected Members, Trade Unions, regional bodies and other agencies.
23. Lead, motivate and develop finance managers and teams, promoting a high‑performance culture and an inclusive, people‑centred approach.
24. Contribute to cross‑Council transformation, service reviews and strategic planning programmes.
25. Ensure efficient stewardship of financial resources, assets and budgets, supporting the Council's commitment to value for money.
What we offer you
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
26. a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
27. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
28. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
29. a strong and robust organisation founded on excellent leadership and sound equality, diversity and inclusion policies and practices, built on shared core values
30. flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements including a hybrid model between home and office-based working, flexitime and a generous leave entitlement
31. a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidancefor further advice on completing your application.
Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 1st March – with in-person interviews scheduled for w/c 23rd March
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact:
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job purpose
To manage the strategic budgeting and accounting functions of the Council, with direct responsibility for the technical and strategic functions within the Financial Management structure.
To initiate and develop financial strategies, plans and policies to support the professional development of the service ensuring the delivery of compliant, proactive and highly effective professional services to the Council, whilst ensuring that they are aligned and supportive of the Council’s policies and priorities and meet all legal and professional requirements.
To assist the Assistant Chief Executive Finance, Traded and Resources in discharging their Section 151 statutory responsibilities and act as the Council’s joint deputy Section 151 officer.
Key Requirements
32. Assisting the Assistant Chief Executive Finance, Traded and Resources in planning, organising, managing and developing the provision of high quality, effective and consistent services, providing strategic leadership and management that adds value and supports the delivery of the council’s strategic objectives.
33. Delivering programmes of strategic significance to enable the council to deliver services in line with council priorities.
34. Providing senior managers, budget holders and staff with financial information, guidance and advice to enable them to take responsibility to effectively manage their revenue and capital budgets and to align available resources to priorities.
35. Providing financial information and advice to officers and Members to enable them to make better informed decisions.
36. Providing overall strategic financial management of the council’s finances.
37. Providing advice and guidance to Members on all aspects of financial management.
38. Aiming to maximise the council's financial resources within levels of acceptable risk and to support the organisation’s longer-term financial sustainability. This to include supporting the identification of robust and deliverable savings plans for future years.
39. Promoting efficient and effective stewardship of assets and resources.
40. Ensuring compliance with statutory financial and professional obligations.
41. To use strong people management skills in order to motivate, develop and performance manage staff within your service area to drive service improvements.
42. To be responsible for the development, delivery and monitoring of a service plan area, priorities and initiatives, and to contribute and take the lead where required to ensure targets are met and improvements achieved.
43. Actively support continuous improvement initiatives through contributing to cross Council projects, collaborative working with partners and supporting Directorate Management Teams.
44. Within a service area to take responsibility for maintaining effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders.
45. To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, inclusive, responsive and accountable government.
46. Working as a team for Leeds by developing and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external customers, other stakeholders and partners to achieve excellent outcomes for the citizens of Leeds.
47. To provide high level advice relating to the work of the Directorate to Members and council officers so as to manage risk and support them in their respective roles.
48. To be actively involved in preparing, managing and controlling budgets and take responsibility where appropriate for assigned budgets.
49. As a senior leader in the Council to work flexibly as required to meet Directorate and Corporate priorities.
50. As a leader in the organisation with key people management responsibilities to undertake duties in relation to people management and workforce policies such as Investigating Officer and Hearing Officer and to ensure these are applied within Financial Services.
51. To motivate, develop and coach managers within your major area of the Directorate so that they manage the directorate staff and other resources to contribute towards the delivery of the Council Plan. and Service Plan objectives.
52. To support open, responsive and accountable government and ensure compliance with financial and procurement procedures.
53. To support the role of the Council’s Section 151 Officer by ensuring at all times that the integrity of the Council’s accounts and financial systems and procedures are maintained and controlled in accordance with both relevant codes of practice and relevant best practice.
54. To maintain a professional image of the finance service and to work in accordance with professional standards and ethics as laid down by the appropriate professional bodies.
55. To develop a highly performing financial function through effective performance management, ensuring that the service adds value and supports the achievement of the Council’s strategic objectives.
56. To take the lead in the provision of financial management of the council’s finances, at both corporate and directorate level including the delivery of the financial strategy, budget monitoring and the production of accounts, including statutory reporting.
57. Supporting effective decision making by providing financial information, guidance and advice to senior officers, members, and external partners (including schools and health)..
58. To lead on the development of elements of the Council’s financial strategy supporting strategic planning linking financial resources to performance and objectives, leading and supporting service reviews and service prioritisation.
59. To lead on the development of financial management policies and practices, including communication and consultation programmes and service integration issues, with Senior Management, Members and other groups.
60. To manage a significant Council budget within legal, statutory and Council compliance frameworks.
61. To work in partnership across other agencies to deliver outcomes, including assuring governance arrangements.
62. Responsible for representing the Deputy Chief Executive Council’s Section 151 officer at nominated fora.
63. Other duties which are commensurate with the grade and within the purpose of the post.
64. The duties outlines are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualification here, or any other relevant post graduate qualification
65. To both hold a relevant CCAB qualification and have extensive experience (minimum five years) of working at a senior level within a local government finance setting.
66. To be able to demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development
67. Experience of working with senior management to shape and influence the delivery of the council’s strategic priorities at a City, Directorate and Service level ensuring people issues are kept at the forefront
68. Substantial experience in building credible and effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Directors, elected members, Trade Unions, colleagues and partner organisations to understand future challenges and to deliver effective workforce solutions.
69. Ability to contribute, as a member of the service Leadership Team.
70. Evidence of developing and driving a culture which puts customers first and where everyone can realise their potential and ‘feels they count’
71. Build strong and dynamic relationships and networks and build trust with individuals and partner agencies to deliver better outcomes for Leeds City Council.
72. In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations
73. To manage, promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement and human resource areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
74. Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues including significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and members of the Corporate Leadership Team which commands respect trust and confidence.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
Roles at this level support the Assistant Chief Executive Finance, Traded and Resources in setting the purpose and strategic direction and in leading, developing and ensuring the effective delivery of service, directorate and corporate priorities, which contribute to the achievement of the Council’s vision and strategic outcomes. This involves leading the planning, organising and commissioning the delivery of services to and on behalf of the organisation and all partners and stakeholders in the medium to long term.
People in these roles have a proficiency in a specialised area or a broad understanding of relationships between different functions and disciplines. They have the ability to select, develop and assess the suitability of ways of working; and will have highly developed skills in persuading, influencing, developing and motivating people and establishing effective partnerships to achieve service objectives.
As part of a directorate/service leadership team; roles at this level live and model values and behaviours to help the council to achieve the ambition to become the best city council in the country.
For roles at this level, you must be able to show:
Knowledge:
75. Have an appropriate CCAB professional qualification You use your knowledge and expertise to plan and deliver the highest levels and standards across either a specialist area(s) or an entire service
76. Have a comprehensive knowledge of local, regional and national issues, which influence the city and council policy and practice, and strategy within your service area. Maintaining up to date knowledge of current thinking and developments and use this to evaluate and assess business practice to influence efficient and effective ways of working.
77. Lead changing programmes and priorities based on in depth knowledge of the economic, business, cultural and political environment within the city and region You use your skills to persuade, influence, develop and motivate people and establish effective partnerships to achieve service objectives.
Leadership & strategic planning:
78. Demonstrate strong leadership and management skills to develop a high performance culture across the service(s) where everyone can achieve their potential and ‘feel they count’ and where there is a drive to deliver the most efficient and effective solutions There is evidence of a high performing, engaged and productive workforce along with effective leadership and management that leads to focussed solutions and quality outcomes
79. Contribute to and influence the strategic direction of the service area working with a range of internal and external partners and stakeholders and Business plans are in place for the service, and contingencies are identified so that plan objectives can be met
80. Lead the development, implementation, promotion and evaluation of strategies and policies. Contribute to overarching strategies and the management of key plans, projects and programs at an organisational, directorate wide and local level You use strong leadership and management skills to develop innovative strategies to support a high performing culture where the service’s plan and policies are translated into excellent service outcomes
Collaboration & innovation:
81. Create a vision and direction that challenges and looks beyond the obvious and inspires and motivates others to achieve by driving change, leading by example and promoting the ambition to become the best city There are examples of innovation in managing and implementing solutions on omplex issues and in transformational change programmes
82. Establish, develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders and partners to improve and enhance service delivery and innovation ensuring the Council promotes, secures resources and is effective in delivering its agenda through work with peers, Members and other partner organisations across the city and regions
83. Ensure the capacity to respond positively to change is enhanced, 'traditional thinking' is challenged and innovative solutions are pursued throughout the area of responsibility. Creating a culture that promotes an innovative and forward thinking organisation, and a ‘can do’ attitude from employees and colleagues
Problem solving & decision making:
84. Take responsibility and accountability for developing and implementing appropriate, proportionate and effective solutions to complex service delivery problems
85. Demonstrating the ability to collate and analyse complex information to inform decisions and promote best practice within a strategic framework
86. Understand the need to balance corporate requirements with operational responsibilities and make timely well-judged decisions in order to achieve successful outcomes across a diverse range of, related and unrelated issues using a degree of evaluative judgment in relation to risks and issues and have the ability to identify potential impact within a range of changing and conflicting internal and external factors
Deliver:
87. Lead and manage a number of complex and potentially conflicting strategic and operational issues/priorities and are able to develop and implement innovative solutions to deliver required service outcomes There is evidence of continuous service improvements, support for cross council initiatives where best practice, value for money and high performance is demonstrated
88. Develop, manage and contribute to complex partnerships involving various stakeholders to gain ownership of a shared vision and direction to achieve positive outcomes. Demonstrating effective leadership and management to achieve sustainable service improvements and outstanding results in a multi-disciplinary environment.
89. Develop and maintain constructive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, partners, public and private sector and voluntary organisations across the city and region to ensure the delivery of excellent services and outcomes
90. You influence the strategic direction of the service; through working with internal and external partners and stakeholders ensuring services support and deliver outcomes that reflect the needs of the diverse, multi-cultural nature of our city
Resource & people management:
91. Engage, develop and performance manage resources that support adaptable ways of working and creating strong more flexible teams with the right people in the right place with the right skills using a coaching approach to motivate, enthuse and drive individuals within the directorate to create a high performing workforce and an organisational culture of shared accountability and continuous improvement
92. Manage resources and a substantial budget in a cost effective and flexible way that is responsive to a dynamic national, local and political context. You have a thorough understanding of the issues facing the Council within its economic, business, cultural and political environment. Plans are in place to ensure that there is an efficient and sustainable use of resources, employees are effectively employed and budgets are maximised
93. The role profile and specification are an outline only and may vary from time to time without changing the character of the job or level of responsibility
LCC Values
94. Leeds City Council values are at the heart of everything we do. They inform the way we design and deliver our services and the way we all work and behave. Leeds City Council expects all its employees and councillors to observe our core values and to understand our codes of conduct for ethical behaviour, correct use of the Digital Information Service (DIS) facilities and protection of sensitive information.
95. They reflect the current needs of the city. In a period of immense change and real challenge we must be both confident and decisive about what we do and how we do it. Observing our values can help us:
96. Working as a Team for Leeds Work in ways which are open, inclusive, responsive and accountable to develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers, other stakeholders and partners to achieve excellent outcomes for the citizens of Leeds
97. Being Open, Honest & Trusted Ensure citizens and council members are provided with all relevant information to make decisions, learn from mistakes and seek to promote continuous improvement and best practice
98. Working with Communities Work effectively with the variety of partners to deliver services, communicate and involve stakeholders and the wider community in new developments to encourage ownership and commitment
99. Treating People Fairly Recognise that everyone has an equally important part to play within the Council and value the diverse and vibrant nature of the city and all its citizens
100. Spending Money Wisely Set high expectations of achievement across a range of strategic outcomes, actively seek out opportunities to improve delivery of services though partnership and feedback from service users
Working Context Working environment including any specific risks
101. The role profile and specification are an outline only and may vary from time to time without changing the character of the job or level of responsibility
102. The role is primarily office based but post holders are expected to work flexibly both at home and in the office environment.
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