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. We encourage you to contact us about this exciting opportunity. For an informal chat, please contact Rob Davisworth – the Council’s Head of Corporate Finance and Commercial Services on 07386 655960. 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. Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria. 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. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: Rewards and Benefits 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. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job. As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process. Take a closer look: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion INTERVIEWS Interviews will be held on week commencing 13 October 2025. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran. For an informal confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact our resourcing partners at The Resourcing Solution:- Leanne Auton by emailing Leanne.Auton@northyorks.gov.uk or calling 07815 028 548. To apply please provide us with your CV including a supporting statement in one Microsoft Word document. Your supporting statement should outline your motivation for applying and how you meet the criteria for the role. These should be emailed to The Resourcing Solution at Executive.ResourcingSolutions@northyorks.gov.uk. Please do not send PDFs. We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice. VPRS/161