Chief Finance Officer

Pivotal senior leadership position, trusted advisor to the Chief Constable

* S151 Officer, ensuring long-term financial sustainability & transparency

About Our Client

South Yorkshire Police cover an area of approximately 600 square miles and a population of almost 1.4 million. Their annual budget is in excess of £300 million and the organisation employs over 3,000 police officers and 2,200 support staff. Their mission is to make communities safer, prevent crime and disorder, and focus on those who cause harm to others.

Achieving these objectives requires not only operational excellence but also a high-performing finance function that enables informed decision-making and resource optimisation. South Yorkshire Police is embarking on a significant period of transformation and is seeking to recruit a Chief Finance Officer to lead the next important phase of development.

Job Description

The Chief Finance Officer role balances organisational governance requirements, statutory Section 151 responsibilities, and executive leadership responsibilities in line with the South Yorkshire Police Competency and Values Framework, ensuring financial integrity and strategic impact across the organisation.

* Fulfil Section 151 statutory responsibilities in accordance with the Local Government Act and CIPFA guidance, ensuring robust governance, compliance and accountability for financial risk.

* Work in formal collaborative partnership with the Chief Finance Officer of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, agreeing protocols for joint financial planning, reporting and risk management.

* Act as a key member of the Senior Command Team, contributing to Force strategy development and implementation, and providing rigorous financial analysis and constructive challenge to support informed decision-making.

* Act as a key member of the Senior Command Team, contributing to Force strategy development and implementation, and providing rigorous financial analysis and constructive challenge to support informed decision-making.

* Lead the development and delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), annual revenue budget and capital programme, ensuring alignment with Force priorities and regular review of underlying assumptions.

* Drive integrated business and resource planning, aligning finance, workforce and estates plans to enable sustainable policing and organisational resilience.

* Champion financial transformation and continuous improvement, leveraging digital tools (e.g., ORACLE, EPM) to enhance forecasting, reporting and decision support.

* Ensure timely, accurate and fit-for-purpose financial information is provided to decision-makers, including clear analysis of implications, risks and options.

* Lead financial assurance and scrutiny processes, managing relationships with internal and external audit, and providing expert support and advice to the Joint Audit Committee.

* Establish and monitor a performance framework for the Finance function, including KPIs for accuracy, timeliness, compliance and customer satisfaction, and report regularly to the Senior Command Team.

* Influence business decisions, ensuring opportunities and risks are fully considered and aligned with the Force's financial strategy, and that sufficient resources are available to provide timely, objective financial advice.

* Promote value for money and service efficiency, identifying and delivering savings opportunities while safeguarding public money and maintaining service quality.

* Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the SYMCA, other emergency services and national policing bodies, representing the Force at local, regional and national forums.

* Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of professionalism, collaboration and innovation, and ensuring capability to meet current and future challenges.

The Successful Applicant

* CCAB or CIMA-qualified.

* Significant experience managing a broad range of accounting functions within a public sector organisation of comparable size, complexity, and subject to external scrutiny.

* Proven ability to manage and oversee entire organisational budgets at senior level, demonstrating strong commercial acumen.

* Clear understanding of the financial, political, and operational context in which police forces operate.

* Skilled in supporting, coaching, and influencing teams, senior colleagues, and peers to achieve organisational objectives.

* Effective leadership in planning, negotiating, and delivering change initiatives.

* Demonstrated ability to negotiate and influence senior stakeholders, including Board members and external partners, to secure buy-in for strategic decisions.

* Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships and communicate complex financial information clearly.

* Proven capability to manage a demanding workload while maintaining a forward-looking strategic approach.

* Previous experience in leading…