Senior Finance Manager

About The Role

Working hours:

35 hours per week

Contract type:
Permanent

Closing date: 11.59pm, 20 March 2026

Interview method: in person

Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This role is subject to:

• Legal right to Work:
  In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen in the Financial Management team at Manchester City Council. We are recruiting to Senior Finance Manager roles to support our Neighbourhoods (Housing & Homelessness), Corporate Services and Growth & Development directorates. These roles play a fundamental part in how we operate.

Our Finance Teams are key to the city’s non-stop rise out of tough times to a fairer future for residents, businesses, and visitors. We deliver high quality Financial Management, supporting the Council in transforming services to deliver effectively while achieving value for money.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in managing an extensive part of Manchester City Council’s revenue budgets and directly influencing how resources are used to improve outcomes for residents across the city.

In this role, you will:

• Lead on a major part of the Council’s revenue budget, influencing key financial decisions.
• Drive monthly budget monitoring, ensuring service managers have accurate, timely information.
• Oversee quarterly returns and grant claims, helping maximise funding.
• Provide financial advice and information to service managers and budget holders.
• Scrutinise business cases and support the delivery of the Council’s priorities.
• Play a key role in the year-end closure of accounts.

With direct line management responsibility, this role offers the chance to develop others, build capability within the team, and have a visible impact on the Council’s financial sustainability.

The role is hybrid, typically working 2 days in the office and 3 from home.

If you share Manchester’s aspiration to deliver high-quality, value for money services for its residents and want to be part of a dedicated and forward-thinking finance community, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Lauren Smith at la to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.

You’ll need to be a high-performing, enthusiastic person who is adaptable, resourceful and determined to turn your talents, and our investment in you, into a better future for Manchester and its residents.

Fourteen years of cuts and austerity have stretched our budgets, services, residents and local economy close to the limits. But Manchester has bucked trends and is continuing to grow.

Our Finance Teams are key to the city’s non-stop rise out of tough times to a fairer future for residents, businesses, and visitors.

That’s because we attract staff who can think differently, who listen to and work with our residents – and each other – with profound understanding and compassion, and who aren’t afraid to try new things to get us where we aim to be.

We promote continuous improvement and embrace new technology, including Artificial Intelligence and the implementation of new tools and systems. We are currently updating our finance, HR, and payroll ERP system, a once in a generation change which is challenging, but brings exciting opportunities.

Are you ready to make a long-term commitment to working for Manchester City Council, helping us to tackle our complex and diverse challenges, and to provide the support, challenge, training, insight and intelligence our services need to make the best of our budgets for the benefit of our residents?

You must be prepared to challenge the status quo to bring about change, be able to learn and share knowledge and experiences, have resilience and show dedication to making our city and our residents the best that they can be.

In return we will support and develop you in all aspects of the Financial Management service and to do this you will require an insight and understanding of…