Welcome, and thank you for your interest in learning more about the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority ("the Combined Authority") and this exciting opportunity to join us as our new Head of Finance.

As Assistant Director of Finance, I am proud to be part of an organisation that is delivering real and lasting benefits for residents, businesses and communities across our region. York and North Yorkshire is an exceptional place to live, work and invest and we are at an exciting stage in our journey as we continue to expand our impact, influence and ambitions through devolution.

Having successfully moved well beyond our startup phase, we now have strong foundations, mature governance arrangements and a growing track record of delivering investment and positive outcomes across the region. The next stage of our development is our newly awarded established status, which means we are increasingly focused on long term delivery, maximising devolved funding opportunities, strengthening our organisational capability and positioning ourselves for future growth and greater local influence.

As our organisation continues to evolve, so too does our finance function. This is a pivotal leadership role that offers the opportunity to shape how finance supports decision making, drives performance and enables the delivery of our ambitious plans for the region.

As Head of Finance, you will lead and develop a talented and growing finance team, providing both strategic direction and operational oversight across all aspects of financial management. Reporting directly to me, you will play a key role in ensuring the Combined Authority maintains the highest standards of financial governance, compliance and stewardship, whilst supporting our leadership team to make informed decisions that deliver value for our communities.

This role is about much more than managing the numbers. I am looking for a leader who can inspire and develop others, drive continuous improvement and help create a high performing finance culture. You will lead on the continued development of our financial systems, processes and controls, ensuring they are fit for purpose as the organisation grows. You will also work closely with senior leaders, acting as a trusted advisor and helping to strengthen financial understanding and capability.

We are seeking an ambitious and forward-thinking finance professional, who can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery. Whether you are already operating at Head of Finance level or are an experienced finance leader ready to take the next step in your career, this is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and help to shape the future of York and North Yorkshire.

If you have the experience, leadership capability and ambition to help us deliver our vision, I would be delighted to hear from you. Following an initial conversation with one of my colleagues in our Resourcing Solutions team, we would be very happy to arrange a further discussion about the role, our plans and how you could help us shape the next chapter of the Combined Authority's success story.

Antoinette Diovisalvi
Assistant Director of Finance
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Salary: £73,783 - £82,864 per annum, plus relocation support

Location: York & Northallerton / Hybrid

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced finance leader to take responsibility for the Combined Authority's financial strategy and operations. This is a pivotal role that ensures robust financial planning, governance and compliance to support informed decision making and the effective delivery of regional priorities.

As Head of Finance you will provide strategic financial leadership, developing and implementing medium and long term financial plans aligned with organisational objectives and statutory requirements. You will oversee all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, reporting, treasury management, annual accounts, audit processes and risk management, while advising senior leaders and elected members on the financial implications of investment proposals, funding strategies and major projects.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future finance function of a growing organisation at the forefront of the devolution agenda. Working closely with senior leaders and key stakeholders, you will play a central role in developing a best-in-class finance service, leading improvements in financial systems, processes and ways of working to support the organisation's future growth, ambitions and evolving operating model.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and deliver financial strategies and medium to long-term financial plans aligned to organisational priorities and statutory requirements.
• Advise senior leaders and elected members on investment proposals, funding strategies, financial sustainability, resource allocation and risk management.
• Represent the Combined Authority with government departments, local authorities, auditors and external partners.
• Contribute to organisational strategy and respond to developments in devolution, regulation and public sector finance.

Operational Management

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, treasury management, financial reporting and the preparation of annual accounts.
• Lead financial support for major projects, including business cases, investment appraisals and financial modelling.
• Manage internal and external audit arrangements and ensure compliance with statutory and professional requirements.
• Maintain effective governance, controls, performance monitoring and risk management frameworks.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, deliver savings and support long term financial sustainability.

Team Leadership

• Lead and inspire a high performing finance team, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Oversee recruitment, development, coaching and performance management.
• Build capability across the finance function to meet current and future organisational needs.
• Deputise for the Assistant Director of Finance when required.

Systems & Service Development

• Drive the improvement of financial systems, processes, reporting and business intelligence capabilities.
• Support the development of efficient operating models and finance-related service arrangements.
• Ensure financial systems and reporting remain fit for purpose as the organisation grows.
• Maintain effective performance management, business continuity and disaster recovery arrangements.

Corporate Contribution

• Act as a key member of the directorate management team, helping to shape strategic direction and deliver organisational objectives.
• Build strong relationships across the Combined Authority, partner organisations and stakeholder networks.
• Provide trusted financial advice and insight to elected members, senior leaders and external partners.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion and support a culture of public service excellence.

We are looking for a CCAB qualified accountant with significant senior leadership experience in financial management within a large and complex organisation, ideally within local government, a combined authority or the wider public sector.

You will have a proven ability to lead and develop teams, influence senior stakeholders and deliver strategic financial outcomes. Strong knowledge of public sector finance, financial regulations, governance, risk management and financial systems is essential. Experience of working in a political environment, understanding devolution, Oracle Financials and advanced Excel skills would be beneficial.

For more details, please see the Job Description / Person Specification [pdf.36kb].

Closing: Tuesday 13 October

Shortlisting: Friday 16 October

Stage One Assessment Event (Online): Thursday 22 October

Final Stage Assessment Event: Tuesday 3 November

- Home - Mayoral Combined Authority (yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk)
- Understanding the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Values and Behaviours [pdf.366kb]
- Funding York and North Yorkshire
- York and North Yorkshire's Local Growth Plan > York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

For an informal confidential discussion about these opportunities please contact a member of the team at The Resourcing Solution.

Charlotte Wilkinson – Charlotte.Wilkinson@northyorks.gov.uk or;

Katherine Brioude – Katherine.Brioude@northyorks.gov.uk

To apply please submit one Word document that details a comprehensive CV, including current salary, and a supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role.

Please clearly state which role you are applying for in the email header. Applications should be emailed to Executive.ResourcingSolutions@northyorks.gov.uk. Please do not send PDFs.

It is important that your written application fully addresses the experience criteria as detailed in the person specification.

You should include contact details for at least two referees, one of whom must be your current / most recent employer/engager. If you specifically do not wish referees to be approached without your permission, please indicate this.

We will remove your personal details from your application on receipt to enable anonymised shortlisting, therefore it is important that your application is made using one Word document. Please do not send PDF versions and please make it clear which role you are applying for.

Please ensure that you have included both your work and home telephone contact numbers and email addresses where applicable.

We believe in the importance of inclusion, which is why we are always working towards being a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive employer.

These are politically restricted posts and will require police security vetting.

We will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers.