Senior Finance Officer

Job Introduction

Bradford Finance is undergoing significant change and investment. After years of under-resourcing, it is now entering a new phase of development and strategic focus to support the Council’s ambitious new corporate strategy and plans.

A restructure has recently been 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 was 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 2026/27 budget much earlier than had been achieved in previous years.
• Closure and audit sign-off of the 2023/24 and 2024/25 accounts, the latter being in February 2026, both with an unqualified opinion. The 2025/26 accounts are due to be signed off soon so that the official government backstop deadline for the 2025/26 final accounts, of 31 January 2027, is met

The Senior Finance Officer role is central to the Finance team and essential to delivering the Council’s plans and future financial sustainability. You will work within our management accounting team, working with departments and service areas to provide a best-in-class finance service. You will work with our finance managers and strategic finance managers to implement the future development of the service, thus enabling 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 Senior Finance Officers to join our dedicated team in the Finance Department, where you will work closely with officers and senior leaders in either Corporate Services or the Department of Environment.

The successful candidates will be expected to lead, develop and ensure the implementation and review of change management programmes to deliver continual improvement.

The main responsibilities of this role are to:

• Work with Budget Managers to assist with costing and help identify and confirm areas of potential pressures and savings.
• Listen to service customers and provide timely information and advice, offering solutions as required.
• Anticipate and identify financial issues affecting the business, help managers to ensure net expenditure is within budget, and escalate any business issues not resolved by Service Managers.
• Contribute to regular monthly meetings with business areas to challenge and scrutinise (offer critical evaluation of) monitoring figures.
• Undertake service analysis to support the year-end position and the Accounts.
• Contribute to financial modelling of new services or changes to existing services, and work with business areas and/or third parties to enhance financial and business performance.
• Provide support to Budget Managers during budget preparation, monthly monitoring, year-end and closure of accounts, and help them to understand the financial information required and processes to be followed.
• Ensure that all cashbook, budgeting and year-end accounting procedures are complied with, including the operation of financial policies and controls, Financial Regulations and Standing Orders.
• Prepare, analyse and interpret financial and other service performance information to influence and enable managers to make the correct operational decisions. Ensure the Council’s income and expenditure is correctly accounted for in line with legislative requirements and Council policies and procedures.
• Support service departments and budget holders by providing a comprehensive financial support service which will include budget profiling and forecasting with links to performance management information. Prepare and present reports as required.
• Represent the Strategic Finance Manager and Finance Manager on internal working groups and project teams.
• Organise, deliver and participate in training events to improve the skills, knowledge and understanding of financial and non-financial managers.
• Undertake supervision of finance officers and apprentices as and when required.
• Promote continuous improvement by maintaining knowledge of relevant guidance, ensuring quality and consistency of financial information and promoting governance and risk management awareness and the maximising of resources to improve value for money.

How to Apply

The application deadline is Sunday 11th October 2026, with interviews being planned to take place between 19th & 23rd October 2026

If you are interested in joining our team and would like some further information, please contact either:

• Kevin Cheeseman, Finance Manager, Department of Environment – kevin.cheeseman@bradford.gov.uk or
• Zara Hussain, Finance Manager, Corporate Services – zarra.hussain@bradford.gov.uk

Further Information

This is available through the links below, along with the attached Job Profile and Candidate Information Pack.

• Budget Meeting of Council - 10 March 2026
• Statement of Accounts
• CBMDC - External Assurance Review
• Our Employee Offer

Equal Opportunities

We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender reassignment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, religion, 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 and offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.