Head of Strategic Finance - Projects

Application Deadline: 23 November 2025

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Compensation: £65,966 - £71,091 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: £65,966 - £71,091 (Pay award pending)
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

South Yorkshire is entering a transformative era, with bold plans to create a greener, fairer, and better-connected region. SYMCA is at the heart of this change, driving major initiatives that will shape transport, policing, and economic growth. From bus franchising and tram regeneration to long-term funding through the Integrated Settlement, these developments represent a step-change in devolution and require strong financial leadership.

To deliver on these ambitions, we’ve recently changed the structure of the finance function, creating five new Head of Finance roles. Each role will provide strategic financial leadership across key areas of our work, ensuring we have the capacity to support high-profile programmes and manage one of the most advanced funding models outside London.

Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.

Please note: This role is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Postholders are prohibited from standing for elected office (except Town or Parish Councils) and from engaging in certain political activities, including canvassing or acting as an officer of a political party. Roles listed as "specified" in Section 2.1 of the Act have no right of appeal. Further details are available on request and are available in the SYMCA - Politically Restricted Post List.

Please note South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for any roles advertised.

About the role

As a newly designed Mayoral Strategic Authority, SYMCA will receive a multi-year Integrated Settlement from April 2026, which will result in multiple funding streams being subsumed into a single pot and greater financial flexibility. There is a complex programme of work underway to prepare the Authority for the transition to this new way of working, and we are seeking an individual who will take responsibility for the finance workstream and support colleagues across the organisation. Other projects on which this individual may be expected to take the lead finance role are the integration with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority (subject to the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill passing into law), and also a programme of continuous improvement reviewing systems, processes and procedures in the Finance team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Act as the senior financial advisor for designated service areas, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met.
• Provide comprehensive financial support to Directors and senior stakeholders, influencing decisions and driving performance improvements.
• Lead the development of financial strategies, controls, and reporting processes.
• Support annual budgeting and medium-term financial planning aligned with organisational objectives.
• Deliver accurate and timely management accounts, Board reports, and financial modelling for business cases.
• Manage financial risk and ensure compliance with legislation and reporting standards.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance team.

About you

You’re a strategic thinker with a passion for public service and a deep understanding of financial implications in a complex environment. You thrive on challenge, bring people together, and know how to turn theoretical financial modelling into real-world impact.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Fully qualified CCAB accountant (or equivalent) with ongoing CPD.
• Proven experience in senior finance roles, ideally within local government or a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of financial legislation, reporting standards, and risk management.
• Expertise in business partnering, budgeting, and financial planning.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead teams and build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.

Benefits

All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.

In addition to the above, some of benefits include -

• Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part time colleagues.
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave.
• Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
• Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi-Scheme which allows office-based employees flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time‑off in the form of Flexi-Leave or banked Annual Leave.
• Rewarding You – Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle-to-Work schemes.
• Training on the job – Support with upskilling skills through on-the-job training and qualifications.
• Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.
• Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority – Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.
• All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment as such all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements.
• If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact recruitment@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.

Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview.