Assistant Finance Manager (Deputy & Estates Team)
Salary: PO2 £39,862 - £42,839
Hours: 37 (Full Time)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House (hybrid working)
Would you like to be part of a dynamic team making a meaningful difference to the people of Leeds who require our support the most? We have an exciting opportunity within Adult Operational Services for an experienced professional to join our specialist Deputy & Estates Team as an Assistant Finance Manager. In this role, you will help lead a vital service that supports vulnerable adults to live their lives, as they wish to, through effective financial management, safeguarding, and legal compliance. This is a transformative period for the team, with service redesign and innovation underway to enhance how we deliver for our customers and communities.
As Assistant Finance Manager, you will co-lead a dedicated team of Finance Officers and Senior Finance Assistants who manage the financial affairs of clients who lack capacity to manage their own finances, acting as Corporate Deputy and Appointee. The team are also involved in Public Health Funerals; part of the team duties include conducting property searches, arranging payments for funerals, and recovering costs, liaising with the Government Legal Department and family tracing organisations.
Reporting to: Senior Finance Manager and Head of Service
About You
We are looking for a motivated, thoughtful leader who is passionate about making a difference and able to work collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
You Will Bring
* Significant experience in Appointeeship and Deputyship services
* A working understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, financial safeguarding, and relevant legal frameworks
* An understanding of the welfare benefits system in the context of Adult Social Care settings
* Proven ability to manage a team of people, with complex casework – demonstrating sound professional judgement
* Strong financial acumen and the ability to interpret complex financial data
* High levels of IT literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong customer focus
* The ability to manage competing priorities and make informed decisions under pressure
* A commitment to delivering high‑quality, compliant services that safeguard vulnerable adults
About The Role
You will play a key leadership role in overseeing and directing complex casework, ensuring robust financial governance, and maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks.
Key Responsibilities Include
* Leading, managing, and developing a specialist team delivering Appointee and Deputyship services
* Overseeing complex and high‑risk cases involving vulnerable adults
* Ensuring accurate financial management, strong governance, and statutory compliance
* Acting as a professional lead on complex Deputyship casesEnsuring compliance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) standards, and relevant legislation
* Ensuring that all benefits are applied for in a timely manner
* Monitoring service performance, financial activity, and safeguarding risks
* Driving continuous improvement in service delivery and quality
* Building effective relationships with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders
Public Health Funerals Function
* Conducting property searches in line with the Care Act 2014
* Managing public health funerals
* Liaising with next of kin, the Government Legal Department, and tracing agents to resolve estates and recover costs
Working Arrangements
The team operates a hybrid working model. You will be expected to work from Merrion House as required by the business, once per week as a minimum.
What We Offer You
* A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
* A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
Equal Opportunity
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.
Job Purpose
To assist with the provision of a comprehensive financial support service to the Adult Operational Services team within Adult & Health Directorate.
Qualifications
Holds a GCSE level C or above in English Language or equivalent and Maths or equivalent or expects to gain a GCSE level C or above in English Language or equivalent and Maths or equivalent in results due.
Essential Requirements
It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills Required
* Be able to train, supervise and manage staff
* Be able to explain financial tasks to a team of staff
* Ability to use a computerised system to accurately input, update and interrogate client information
* Well‑developed interpersonal and communication skills using a variety of media
* Be able to deal effectively with stressful and sometimes aggressive clients or their representatives
* Ability to work on own initiative to make decisions
* Ability to achieve team deadlines
* Ability to pass and receive information accurately and securely
* Ability to prioritise own workloads and that of others with frequent interruptions
* Able to produce high quality work
* Be able to undertake complex financial analysis in response to queries
* Be able to work flexibly and as part of a team to achieve service priorities
* Be able to communicate confidently and effectively with clients or their representatives, service professionals, outside agencies and government departments
* Be able to interpret appropriate legislation, policies and guidance and apply them to team objectives
* Be able to advise clients and colleagues on financial issues, including those issues relating to current policy or legislation and carry out training sessions
* Be able to review and implement service developments
* Be able to deputise at relevant meetings and assisting with ad‑hoc supervision issues as may arise to cover short‑term absences of Senior Managers within Service Area
Knowledge Required
* Knowledge of applications, systems and IT programmes utilised by the service
* Knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations and an understanding of personal accountability
* Knowledge of decision‑making processes within the Council
* An awareness of services available within Adults & Health
* An awareness of local policies and current legislation applicable to chargeable services for Adults and Health services
* Knowledge of welfare benefits available
* Knowledge of the Council Values
Experience Required
* Experience of staff supervision and management
* Experience of training colleagues
* Experience of prioritising workloads within a team to meet deadlines
* Experience of using one’s own initiative
* Experience of working within a team where flexibility of response is required
* Experience of communicating with a variety of individuals using a range of media including telephone, individual meetings, emails and letters
* Experience of dealing positively with challenging situations, either face to face or by phone
* Experience of being proactive in identifying areas for improvement in a constructive manner
* Experience of introducing service developments
* Experience of producing reports for management/performance information
Essential Behavioural And Other Characteristics
* Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct
* Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
* Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
* Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
* Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
* Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti‑discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
* Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
* The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters
Desirable Requirements
Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Knowledge Required (Desirable)
* Knowledge of local policies and current legislation applicable to chargeable services for Adults and Health services
Experience Required (Desirable)
* Experience of working with elderly, disabled or vulnerable client group
* Experience of dealing with stressful and sometimes aggressive clients or their representatives
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