Business Finance Manager; Commercial Focus

Position: Business Finance Manager (Commercial Focus)
Brierley Homes and North Yorkshire Council Salary: 55k plus up to 10% recruitment payment
* Grade: N

Contract:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time Hours

Location:

Northallerton, North Yorkshire
-HybridA Commercial Role – Powered by Public Sector Strength This is a rare opportunity to bring your private sector commercial expertise into a role where the focus is firmly on driving business performance, profitability and growth—not policy.

North Yorkshire Council is seeking a high-calibre, commercially astute finance leader to oversee the financial function of its portfolio of council-owned companies, with a particular focus on Brierley Homes, our residential development business.

You’ll operate as a commercial partner to the Managing Director and leadership team—shaping decisions, managing investment, and ensuring strong financial returns across a complex development pipeline.

All within the context of a stable, flexible and highly rewarding local government employment offer and within a large financial services team.

The Role This is a strategic and hands-on commercial finance leadership role, responsible for:

Leading the end-to-end finance function across council-owned companies

Driving financial performance, governance and decision-making across multiple residential development projects

Managing cash flow, funding arrangements and investment structures

Providing clear, actionable insight to the Board and Shareholder Acting as a key advisor to the Managing Director on all financial matters

You will work at the heart of a commercially focused organisation—partnering closely with construction, development and commercial teams to understand cost drivers, risks and opportunities in real time.

You will be responsible for the effective leadership and delivery of the organisation’s finance function, ensuring strong governance, compliance and commercial insight.

Key Responsibilities Oversee project cashflow, cost to complete, and profitability forecasting

Lead on financial reporting to Board, Shareholder and senior stakeholders

Manage development funding, drawdowns and lender compliance

Ensure robust financial governance across group entities and SPVsDeliver accurate monthly management accounts and statutory reporting, ensuring compliance

Drive financial insight and performance improvement across the business

Support strategic projects and commercial decision-making at the highest level

About You We are looking for a commercial thinker first and foremost—someone who understands how finance drives business success.

You will bring:

Proven experience as a Financial Controller / Senior Finance Manager in a commercial environment

Strong expertise in project-based finance, cashflow management, and financial modellingA track record of influencing strategic decisions and delivering business outcomes

Confidence working with senior stakeholders, including Boards and non-finance leadersA recognised accounting qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent)
Highly desirable:

Experience in residential development, construction or real estate

Understanding of development finance, SPVs and complex funding structures

Why This Role?

This role offers something genuinely different:
Commercial focus – You’ll be driving financial performance and business success Strategic influence – Direct exposure to Board-level decision-making Complex environment – Work across multi-site development projects and funding structures Leadership opportunity – Shape and lead a specialist finance team

Why North Yorkshire Council & Brierley Homes?

Alongside a commercially focused role, you’ll benefit from an exceptional employment package, including:

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Generous annual leave entitlement

Flexible and hybrid working (typically 3 days on site)
Job security and long-term career development

The opportunity to work on high-impact developments that shape communities

You will be welcomed and supported by a large progressive Financial Services function providing the platform to progress your career.
* For the right candidate, a recruitment payment of up to 10% of starting salary may be payable as a one-off welcome payment

Be Part of a Commercial Future Inside…