Senior Finance Manager

Working hours: 35 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 11.59pm, 20 March 2026

Interview method: in person

Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This Role Is Subject To

• Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
  
  

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen in the Financial Management team at Manchester City Council. We are recruiting to Senior Finance Manager roles to support our Neighbourhoods (Housing & Homelessness), Corporate Services and Growth & Development Directorates. These roles play a fundamental part in how we operate.

Our Finance Teams are key to the city’s non-stop rise out of tough times to a fairer future for residents, businesses, and visitors. We deliver high quality Financial Management, supporting the Council in transforming services to deliver effectively while achieving value for money.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in managing an extensive part of Manchester City Council’s revenue budgets and directly influencing how resources are used to improve outcomes for residents across the city.

In This Role, You Will

• Lead on a major part of the Council’s revenue budget, influencing key financial decisions.
• Drive monthly budget monitoring, ensuring service managers have accurate, timely information.
• Oversee quarterly returns and grant claims, helping maximise funding
• Provide financial advice and information to service managers and budget holders.
• Scrutinise business cases and supporting the delivery of the Council’s priorities
• Play a key role in the year‑end closure of accounts
  
  

With direct line management responsibility, this role offers the chance to develop others, build capability within the team, and have a visible impact on the Council’s financial sustainability.

The role is hybrid, typically working 2 days in the office and 3 from home.

If you share Manchester’s aspiration to deliver high‑quality, value for money services for its residents and want to be part of a dedicated and forward‑thinking finance community, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Lauren Smith at lauren.smith@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. 

You’ll need to be a high-performing, enthusiastic person who is adaptable, resourceful and determined to turn your talents, and our investment in you, into a better future for Manchester and its residents.

Fourteen years of cuts and austerity have stretched our budgets, services, reside

nts and local economy close to the limits. But Manchester has bucked trends and is continuing to grow. Our Finance Teams are key to the city’s non-stop rise out of tough times to a fairer future for residents, businesses, and visitors.

That’s because we attract staff who can think differently, who listen to and work with our residents - and each other - with profound understanding and compassion, and who aren’t afraid to try new things to get us where we aim to be.

We promote continuous improvement and embrace new technology, including Artificial Intelligence and the implementation of new tools and systems. We are currently updating our finance, HR, and payroll ERP system, a once in a generation change which is challenging, but brings exciting opportunities.

Are you ready to make a long-term commitment to working for Manchester City Council, helping us to tackle our complex and diverse challenges, and to provide the support, challenge, training, insight and intelligence our services need to make the best of our budgets for the benefit of our residents? 

You must be prepared to challenge the status quo to bring about change, be able to learn and share knowledge and experiences, have resilience and show dedication to making our city and our residents the best that they can be.

In return we will support and develop you in all aspects of the Financial Management service and to do this you will require an insight and understanding of all the services that we deliver and procure, to enable you to become everything you want to be.

Essential requirements for the role: 

 

• Strong Financial Management experience, including setting revenue budgets, monitoring and year end close down, challenging budget holders as necessary to ensure their forecasts are accurate and realistic.
• Proven people management experience in leading, motivating and directing team members.
• Ability to analyse large volumes of data and translate into accurate, consistent and understandable results.
• Excellent communication skills including relaying financial information to non-financial managers and experience of building effective working relationships.
• Effective planning and organisational skills, able to manage competing deadlines
• Personal commitment to continuous self-development and service improvement. 
  
  

Desirable for the role:  

• Experience in Public Sector Financial Management
  
  

If you’re interested in this exciting and rewarding career opportunity, please complete the application form.

Please be sure to submit a personal statement outlining how you match the role profile; note that any applications with CV’s only will not be considered.

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job - it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester Is Our Vision For a Fairer, Greener, And Healthier City - a Vision Shaped By The People Of Manchester. It Guides Everything We Do At The Council And Is Brought To Life Through The Our Manchester Behaviours

• We take time to listen and understand

A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.

Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
  
  

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

Requirements

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition
  
  

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, Offering

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
  
  

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.

What We Will Need From You If You're Successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. 

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other Relevant Information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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