Assistant Director of Finance; DS

Rochdale is an ambitious borough with a strong sense of place, a clear commitment to its communities and a significant programme of investment and growth. We are now seeking an outstanding finance leader to join us as Assistant Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer.

This is an influential role, offering the opportunity to lead established teams across finance, revenues and benefits, internal audit, risk and insurance. Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services (S151 Officer) you will work closely with senior officers and elected members to shape the Council’s financial strategy, support effective decision-making and ensure that resources are directed towards the priorities that matter most to the residents of Rochdale.

You’ll play a central role in developing the Council’s budget, savings and income proposals, leading constructive engagement with elected members throughout the year. Alongside this, you’ll take the lead in regular meetings with the finance portfolio holder and contribute to Cabinet, Audit and Governance Committee, and Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Alongside this, you will have the opportunity to develop connections and networks across the Greater Manchester region.

Our team is welcoming and close-knit with deep knowledge of the borough and a genuine commitment to delivering a good service for the borough of Rochdale. Many colleagues have built long careers here, creating strong professional networks and a culture in which new people are included and supported. This role offers the chance to respect that strong foundation while leading meaningful modernisation and shaping the future of the service.

A key priority will be to lead the next phase of improvement across the service. We want to make better use of systems, automation and data, reduce reliance on manual processes and spreadsheets, and strengthen the analytical and value-adding contribution that finance makes to the wider Council. You will create the confidence for colleagues to test new approaches, take well-managed risks and turn insight into better decisions.

We are seeking a fully qualified accountant with strong technical credibility, sound judgement and the ability to translate complex financial issues into clear, practical advice.

Local government experience would be advantageous, but we will also consider people who can demonstrate relevant experience from a closely related, politically governed or highly regulated environment. Whatever your route, you will need to understand the demands of public service finance, show credible exposure to elected members or boards, and be ready to operate confidently in a visible corporate leadership role.

For more information, please visit Rochdale Borough Council. For a confidential conversation, please reach out to our retained advisors at Tile Hill.

Bella Bennett –   Clare Connor –  )