Deputy Chief Officer Finance & Deputy Section 151 Officer

Leeds Safe Roads Partnership; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority in the UK is looking for a Deputy Chief Officer Finance & Deputy Section 151 Officer. This vital role supports financial management, budgeting, and strategic planning ensuring compliance and transparency. Ideal candidates will have significant leadership experience in local government finances. The role offers a competitive salary, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, and opportunities for professional development. Applications are encouraged from diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Membership of pension fund

Career development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Well-being staff benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in local authority finance.
• Substantial senior leadership experience.
• Experience in large organizations and public sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic management of financial functions.
• Provide high-level financial advice to senior managers.
• Ensure compliance with financial standards and frameworks.

Skills

Senior leadership

Financial management

Strategic planning

Risk management

Collaboration

Education

Continuous professional development

Job description

Deputy Chief Officer Finance & Deputy Section 151 Officer

Job title: Deputy Chief Officer – Corporate Financial Services

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 council values 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

• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 5‑years’ experience working in a local authority finance setting.
• Substantial senior‑level leadership experience within a complex finance environment.
• A strong track record of delivering strategic financial management in large organisations—ideally within local government or another public sector setting.
• Experience shaping and influencing corporate priorities at citywide, directorate or service level.
• Significant experience developing collaborative, trusted relationships with senior officers, elected Members, Trade Unions and external partners.
• Proven ability to lead and manage substantial budgets and complex financial frameworks.
• 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.
• Ability to think strategically and innovatively, leading change and challenging traditional approaches.
• Highly developed influencing, problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities, with confidence in balancing operational needs and corporate priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex information, manage risk and develop proportionate, effective solutions.

Values & Behaviours

We are looking for someone who:

• Embodies the Council’s values: Working as a Team for Leeds; Being Open, Honest & Trusted; Working with Communities; Treating People Fairly; Spending Money Wisely.
• Champions diversity, inclusion and fairness.
• Works collaboratively, communicates effectively and builds strong partnerships.
• Models ethical, professional and accountable leadership at all times.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic management of the Council’s financial planning, budgeting, accounting and reporting functions.
• Provide high‑level financial advice and insight to Members, senior managers and service areas to support effective and accountable decision‑making.
• Help develop and deliver the Council’s financial strategy, ensuring services align resources to priorities and operate within risk‑aware, compliant frameworks.
• Act as the Council’s Deputy Section 151 Officer, maintaining the integrity of the Council’s accounts, systems and professional standards.
• Drive continuous improvement and modernisation in financial management practices, ensuring the service is proactive, high‑performing and adding organisational value.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners, including elected Members, Trade Unions, regional bodies and other agencies.Lead, motivate and develop finance managers and teams, promoting a high‑performance culture and an inclusive, people‑centred approach.
• Contribute to cross‑Council transformation, service reviews and strategic planning programmes.
• 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:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• A strong and robust organisation founded on excellent leadership and sound equality, diversity and inclusion policies and practices, built on shared core values.
• 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.
• 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.

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:

Victoria Bradshaw – Assistant Chief Executive (Finance Traded and Resources) [e-mail]

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.