Assistant Finance Manager; Deputy & Estates Team

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

We are looking for a motivated, thoughtful leader who is passionate about making a difference and able to work collaboratively to achieve shared goals.

• 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

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.

• 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 cases
  
  Ensuring 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

• 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

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.

• 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

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of…