Jobs

Location: York & Northallerton / Hybrid

We are looking for an experienced finance leader ready to shape the financial future of a growing Combined Authority. This is a unique opportunity to lead our Finance function, acting as Deputy Section 73 Officer, and play a pivotal role in delivering our regional ambitions.

As the Assistant Director of Finance, you will:

• Lead the Finance Service – Reporting into the Director of Resources, oversee all aspects of financial management, including budget setting, monitoring, and year-end accounts across general budgets and emergency services.
• Drive Strategic Financial Planning - Develop and implement medium-term financial plans, ensuring alignment with corporate strategies and statutory frameworks.
• Champion Governance & Risk Management - Maintain robust financial controls, compliance, and risk management processes, future-proofing governance for new mayoral powers and strategic programmes.
• Shape Finance Structures - Collaborate with policing and fire colleagues to design and implement integrated finance systems aligned with our Target Operating Model.
• Enable Transformation - Support the Combined Authority’s devolution journey, including steps toward achieving “single settlement” funding.

Additional Key Responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic financial advice to the Mayor, senior leadership, and elected members on major programmes and investments.
• Lead the specification and transition of finance systems onto shared platforms with emergency services, ensuring efficiency and transparency.
• Oversee procurement and contract management, embedding value-for-money principles across all services.
• Develop and lead a high-performing finance team, fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the Combined Authority in external forums, including government departments and regional partnerships.

The role requires proven leadership success in public sector finance and financial planning across complex organisations, with significant experience managing large, complex budgets and delivering savings. The successful candidate will be a CCAB/CIMA qualified accountant and have a track record of developing finance functions and raising organisational awareness of financial controls, skilled in preparing and presenting financial reports to boards, committees, and elected members.

For more details, please see the Job Description / Person Specification [doc 258kb].

Key Dates

Closing: 05/02/2026 at 12 noon
Shortlisting: 05/02/2026
Stage One Assessment Event: week commencing 09/02/2025 (Online)
Final Stage Assessment Event: week commencing 16/02/2025 (In person - Northallerton)

For an informal confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact  Charlotte.Wilkinson@northyorks.gov.uk

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.