Job title: Head of Service Improvement

Salary: Dir 52.5% (£70,210 to £77,020)
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid working, based in Leeds Civic Hall and across the city

Leeds City Council is seeking an experienced finance leader to drive service improvement across Corporate Financial Services. You will lead transformational work-packages that deliver cultural change, greater automation, and streamlined, standardised finance processes—helping reshape the Finance ‘Delivery Offer’ and embed new ways of working across the organisation.

What you’ll do

Lead the strategic and operational delivery of transformational work-packages within Financial Services and HR, focused on standardising and streamlining core business processes.
Provide professional leadership and management of the Core Business Transformation Team, including oversight of work-packages across financial management and HR.
Drive continuous improvement of key corporate systems recently implemented across Finance, HR, Recruitment and Procurement.
Challenge and influence senior decision-makers and stakeholders to adopt standard good practice policies and processes, and develop these further.
Support the Council’s Section 151 Officer by maintaining the integrity of the Council’s accounts, financial systems, procedures and controls.
Influence complex change programmes and contribute to business cases, investment/dis-investment decisions and commercial approaches.
Build and manage partnerships across internal and external stakeholders to deliver cross-service and cross-sector outcomes.

What we’re looking for

A relevant CCAB qualification (or equivalent) and extensive senior-level experience in a finance setting, with a clear commitment to continuous professional development.
Proven senior leadership and management experience, delivering customer-focused outcomes and continuous service improvement in a complex environment.
Strong track record of leading change/transformational programmes, including process redesign, standardisation and automation.
Experience of shaping strategy and policy and influencing delivery of organisational priorities, including working in politically sensitive contexts.
Ability to build credible, collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, elected members, trade unions and partner organisations.
Excellent prioritisation skills—able to manage competing demands, adapt to changing priorities and manage risk appropriately.

Working arrangements

This is primarily an office-based role with flexible working in line with Council policies, including working from home and from locations across the city and region. Hours are mainly Monday to Friday; however, you will be expected to work outside normal hours when required, including evening/weekend meetings or events.

Our values

At Leeds City Council, our values shape how we work: working as a Team for Leeds, being open, honest and trusted, working with communities, treating people fairly, and spending money wisely. We’re looking for leaders who model these values and help us deliver excellent outcomes for the citizens of Leeds.

How to apply

Please apply by completing the online application form via the Leeds City Council recruitment portal. and submit by 23:59 Monday 20^th July 2026.

Your supporting statement should clearly evidence how you meet the essential criteria, with examples of leading transformation, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering improved outcomes.

Read our guidancefor further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact

Carolyn Jolley, Head of Finance Strategic – Carolyn.Jolley@leeds.gov.uk– 0113 37 87821

In-person interviews are expected to take place early August.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To assist the Deputy Chief Finance Officer – Strategic and Technical in taking a lead role in delivering a range of transformational work-packages intended to deliver cultural change, greater automation, further standardisation and streamlining of core finance business processes. This will support a wider re-design of the finance ‘Delivery Offer’, including reconfiguration of the Finance service and associated roles and responsibilities. The Council has recently implemented new Core Business Systems in Finance, HR, Recruitment and Procurement and this role will lead on the continuous improvement of these key systems.

The post-holder will challenge and influence decision-makers and stakeholders to ensure that wherever possible, the Council adopts recommended standard good practice policies and processes and develops these further to ensure the Council is at the forefront of good practice.

Key Requirements

To lead on the strategic and operational management of transformational work-packages within Financial Services and the HR Service aimed at standardising and streamlining core business processes, re-designing the financial services ‘Delivery Offer’ and reconfiguring the service and associated roles and responsibilities
To provide professional leadership and management of the Core Business Transformation Team. In this role the postholder will provide strategic lead on work-packages within financial management and HR. To provide strategic guidance and support to work-packages and other transformational initiatives within the wider Core Business Transformation Programme (HR, Payroll and Procure to Pay). To work with Directorates to embed the new ways of working.
To support the role of the Council’s Section 151 Officer by ensuring at all times that the integrity of the Council’s accounts and financial systems and procedures are maintained and controlled, and to adhere to the Council’s Code of Practice for Heads of Finance.
Positively influence plans and strategies involving large-scale complex change programmes and support the use of commercial approaches to the development of business cases and key service investment/dis-investment decisions.
Substantial experience of delivering a multi-disciplinary service at a senior level that is driven by service user requirements based on delivers customer focused outcomes and excellent customer satisfaction results.
Ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a broad range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities and being sensitive to political issues.
Ability to develop, manage and contribute to partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes. Experience of working effectively with others to deliver cross sector or cross service projects, including partnership working.
Experience of managing risk in relation to an area of work
Experience in the development, presentation and implementation of strategy and policy.
Other duties which are commensurate with the grade and within the purpose of the post.

Working Context - The role is primarily office based the post holder will be expected to work flexibly, in line with Council policies, both at home and at various locations across the City and region. Hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday, in accordance with the needs of the service; however, the post holder will be expected to work regularly outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening / weekend meetings or events as the service requires.

Qualification here, or any other relevant post graduate qualification

To both hold a relevant CCAB qualification or equivalent and have extensive experience of working at a senior level within a finance setting.
To be able to demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development.
Substantial senior leadership and management experience in a service or operational area relevant to the area of service delivery.
Experience of working with senior management to shape and influence the delivery of the council’s strategic priorities at a City, Directorate and Service level ensuring people issues are kept at the forefront.
Substantial experience in building credible and effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Directors, elected members, Trade Unions, colleagues and partner organisations to understand future challenges and to deliver effective workforce solutions.
Ability to contribute, as a member of the Service Leadership Team.
Evidence of developing and driving a culture which puts customers first and where everyone can realise their potential and ‘feel they count’.
Build strong and dynamic relationships and networks and build trust with individuals and partner agencies to deliver better outcomes for Leeds City Council.
In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations.
To manage, promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement and human resource areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
Demonstrate knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information applicable to the relevant strategic functions e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, and promoting compliance with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues including significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and members of the Corporate Leadership Team which commands respect trust and confidence.

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

Roles at this level support the Assistant Chief Executive Finance, Traded and Resources in setting the purpose and strategic direction and in leading, developing and ensuring the effective delivery of service, directorate and corporate priorities, which contribute to the achievement of the Council’s vision and strategic outcomes. This involves leading the planning, organising and commissioning the delivery of services to and on behalf of the organisation and all partners and stakeholders in the medium to long term.

People in these roles have a proficiency in a specialised area or a broad understanding of relationships between different functions and disciplines. They have the ability to select, develop and assess the suitability of ways of working; and will have highly developed skills in persuading, influencing, developing and motivating people and establishing effective partnerships to achieve service objectives.

As part of a directorate/service leadership team; roles at this level live and model values and behaviours to help the council to achieve the ambition of making Leeds the best city in the UK.

For roles at this level, you must be able to show:

Knowledge:

Have an appropriate CCAB professional qualification You use your knowledge and expertise to plan and deliver the highest levels and standards across either a specialist area(s) or an entire service.
Have a comprehensive knowledge of local, regional and national issues, which influence the city and council policy and practice, and strategy within your service area. Maintaining up to date knowledge of current thinking and developments and use this to evaluate and assess business practice to influence efficient and effective ways of working.
Lead changing programmes and priorities based on in depth knowledge of the economic, business, cultural and political environment within the city and region You use your skills to persuade, influence, develop and motivate people and establish effective partnerships to achieve service objectives.

Leadership & strategic planning:

Demonstrate strong leadership and management skills to develop a high performance culture across the service(s) where everyone can achieve their potential and ‘feel they count’ and where there is a drive to deliver the most efficient and effective solutions There is evidence of a high performing, engaged and productive workforce along with effective leadership and management that leads to focussed solutions and quality outcomes.
Contribute to and influence the strategic direction of the service area working with a range of internal and external partners and stakeholders and Business plans are in place for the service, and contingencies are identified so that plan objectives can be met.
Lead the development, implementation, promotion and evaluation of strategies and policies. Contribute to overarching strategies and the management of key plans, projects and programs at an organisational, directorate wide and local level. You use strong leadership and management skills to develop innovative strategies to support a high performing culture where the service’s plan and policies are translated into excellent service outcomes.

Collaboration & innovation:

Create a vision and direction that challenges and looks beyond the obvious and inspires and motivates others to achieve by driving change, leading by example and promoting the ambition to become the best city. Innovation in managing and implementing solutions on complex issues and in transformational change programmes.
Establish, develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders and partners to improve and enhance service delivery and innovation ensuring the Council promotes, secures resources and is effective in delivering its agenda through work with peers, Members and other partner organisations across the city and regions.
Ensure the capacity to respond positively to change is enhanced, 'traditional thinking' is challenged and innovative solutions are pursued throughout the area of responsibility. Creating a culture that promotes an innovative and forward thinking organisation, and a ‘can do’ attitude from employees and colleagues.

Problem solving & decision making:

Take responsibility and accountability for developing and implementing appropriate, proportionate and effective solutions to complex service delivery problems.
Demonstrating the ability to collate and analyse complex information to inform decisions and promote best practice within a strategic framework.
Understand the need to balance corporate requirements with operational responsibilities and make timely well-judged decisions in order to achieve successful outcomes across a diverse range of, related and unrelated issues using a degree of evaluative judgment in relation to risks and issues and have the ability to identify potential impact within a range of changing and conflicting internal and external factors.

Deliver:

Lead and manage a number of complex and potentially conflicting strategic and operational issues/priorities and are able to develop and implement innovative solutions to deliver required service outcomes There is evidence of continuous service improvements, support for cross council initiatives where best practice, value for money and high performance is demonstrated.
Develop, manage and contribute to complex partnerships involving various stakeholders to gain ownership of a shared vision and direction to achieve positive outcomes. Demonstrating effective leadership and management to achieve sustainable service improvements and outstanding results in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Develop and maintain constructive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, partners, public and private sector and voluntary organisations across the city and region to ensure the delivery of excellent services and outcomes.
You influence the strategic direction of the service; through working with internal and external partners and stakeholders ensuring services support and deliver outcomes that reflect the needs of the diverse, multi-cultural nature of our city.

Resource & people management:

Engage, develop and performance manage resources that support adaptable ways of working and creating strong more flexible teams with the right people in the right place with the right skills using a coaching approach to motivate, enthuse and drive individuals within the directorate to create a high performing workforce and an organisational culture of shared accountability and continuous improvement
Manage resources and a substantial budget in a cost effective and flexible way that is responsive to a dynamic national, local and political context. You have a thorough understanding of the issues facing the Council within its economic, business, cultural and political environment. Plans are in place to ensure that there is an efficient and sustainable use of resources, employees are effectively employed and budgets are maximised
The role profile and specification are an outline only and may vary from time to time without changing the character of the job or level of responsibility

LCC Values

Leeds City Council values are at the heart of everything we do. They inform the way we design and deliver our services and the way we all work and behave. Leeds City Council expects all its employees and councillors to observe our core values and to understand our codes of conduct for ethical behaviour, correct use of the Digital Information Service (DIS) facilities and protection of sensitive information.
They reflect the current needs of the city. In a period of immense change and real challenge we must be both confident and decisive about what we do and how we do it. Observing our values can help us:
Working as a Team for Leeds Work in ways which are open, inclusive, responsive and accountable to develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers, other stakeholders and partners to achieve excellent outcomes for the citizens of Leeds
Being Open, Honest & Trusted Ensure citizens and council members are provided with all relevant information to make decisions, learn from mistakes and seek to promote continuous improvement and best practice
Working with Communities Work effectively with the variety of partners to deliver services, communicate and involve stakeholders and the wider community in new developments to encourage ownership and commitment
Treating People Fairly Recognise that everyone has an equally important part to play within the Council and value the diverse and vibrant nature of the city and all its citizens
Spending Money Wisely Set high expectations of achievement across a range of strategic outcomes, actively seek out opportunities to improve delivery of services though partnership and feedback from service users

Working Context Working environment including any specific risks

The role profile and specification are an outline only and may vary from time to time without changing the character of the job or level of responsibility
The role is primarily office based but post holders are expected to work flexibly both at home and in the office environment.