Principal Finance Officer

Number of Vacancies:

1

Time Type:

Full time

Worker Type:

Regular

Proposed Interview Date:

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Hours of Work:

37

Hiring Manager:

Karen Crabtree

Contact Number:

01482 613543

Job Description Summary:

This is a Full Time Permanent Position

Hull is a city with ambition. As we continue to transform services, deliver major projects and respond to the financial challenges facing local government, we are looking for an exceptional finance professional to join our Business Finance Team as a Principal Finance Officer.

This is a high-profile role offering the opportunity to work alongside Corporate Directors, City Managers and senior leaders, providing strategic financial advice and support that directly influences decision-making across some of the Council's most important services.

If you are a qualified accountant with strong leadership skills, extensive financial experience and a passion for driving value for money, service improvement and financial excellence, we would love to hear from you. You should have significant relevant experience of financial management, budgeting and forecasting, good leadership skills, be an excellent communicator, and a positive, motivated team player.

Applicants are also welcomed for reduced hours.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Karen Crabtree 01482 613 543.

ROLE AND PURPOSE

Manages and provides financial input to the strategy for City Managers in line with Service plans. Leads the provision of financial support and guidance to City Managers and their staff to ensure statutory requirements for financial management and accountability are met and projects are delivered in line with financial regulations and deliver value for money for the Council. Identifies strategic financial opportunities through funding regimes or partnership opportunities to deliver services for Services differently to secure improved value for money.Works alongside other finance staff and with colleagues from other services to provide coordinated customer focused support to deliver the objectives and priorities of Directorates.Acts as the co-ordinating officer for Business Finance – manages the processes around assessing and prioritising existing and incoming demands and allocating tasks to particular finance staff at certain levels. One postholder (on a rotational basis) will also fulfill these elements of the role (with compensating reductions in the other demands of the role).

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Strategy - Provides broad strategic financial management leadership, direction and advice to City Managers to significantly influence the Council’s achievement of its strategic objectives. Leads on the development and delivery of timely, accurate and clear financial information, advice and support to City Managers to maximise value for money and ensure effective governance. Identifies financial opportunities through various strategic delivery options to deliver services differently with due regard to the implications on quality. Provides direct support to Corporate Directors in relation to specific issues and projects.
• Customer Focus – Is visible in gaining customer insight, communicates with clients to meet strategic needs. Provides a highly pro-active and customer focused service which balances service and corporate demands. Is responsible for collating feedback from Directors, City Managers and Managers on the quality of financial support to their Directorate working with colleagues and Assistant City Managers to identify improvements.
• Performance Management - Is a visible leader who inspires and demands continuous customer and value for money focus and improvement across Services and Directorates, exemplifying an effective performance improvement framework for staff at other grades within Finance.
• Leadership – Working in a matrix fashion to develop, support and manage on particular tasks pooled finance staff in accordance with Council procedures and best practice
• SLT / DMT - Is a member of the Business Finance team supporting the delivery of effective service finance to customers. Works collaboratively with colleagues across the Resources Directorate, developing cross functional relationships and processes to deliver on the Finance elements of a cohesive service.
• Project Support – identifies the major financial implications of existing or future projects, and acts as lead adviser to high level ones where appropriate. Responsible with colleagues through collaborative working for prioritisation decisions over deploying resources to support major and strategic Service and Directorate projects, to ensure appropriate systems for financial monitoring and control are in place and that value for money is being maximised. Manages external financial advisers used to support major projects ensuring effective governance and value for money.
• Financial Management – advises Services and Directorates on financial management and works alongside the Corporate Director, City Managers and other managers on the implementation of improved systems and processes to deliver improved governance and value for money. Identifies opportunities for corporate changes to systems and processes contributing to cross cutting group as required. Gives assurance to the Director of Resources and City Treasurer (Section 151 Officer) that statutory requirements relating to financial standards and other statutory and fiduciary duties are being delivered in the relevant Services and Directorates as appropriate. Co-ordinates the production of briefing notes and formal reports to CST and to Members on the overall revenue monitoring position in line with agreed timetables.
• Strategic Financial Advice – Provides pro-active and forward looking strategic financial advice and support to influence the effective management of a Directorate’s resources. Responds to consultation proposals and interprets legislation on a diverse range of financial issues impacting on a Directorate providing advice and guidance to Corporate Strategy Team, Corporate Directors, City Managers, Members and External Bodies on the implications of implementation.
• Co-ordinating Officer for Business Finance – takes a key role in managing the assessment of demands, allocating staff to undertake prioritised tasks, and monitoring, reporting on and improving the results that are achieved. Working within a matrix basis acts as the pay and rations line manager for subordinate staff.