Group Director of Financial Control
Salary: £114,816 - £137,178 (Indicative salary subject to job evaluation)
Location: Greater Manchester (hybrid working)
Interviews: W/c 20th July 2026 (We recognise that candidates may have existing holiday commitments and will offer flexibility within the interview process to accommodate this. We encourage you to apply regardless)
About us
At Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), we’re delivering one of the most ambitious devolution programmes in the UK.
We work as a GMCA Group, bringing together Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). While each organisation has distinct statutory responsibilities, we operate with a shared commitment to delivering for residents as one team across Greater Manchester.
This integrated, partnership-led approach allows us to deliver at scale and means our most senior roles work across organisational boundaries, shaping outcomes for the whole system.
The role
We’re looking for an exceptional senior finance leader to join us as Group Director of Financial Control.
This is a strategic, group-wide leadership role, operating across GMCA, GMFRS and TfGM. You’ll lead financial control across the Group, ensuring a consistent, high-performing and future-fit control environment that supports confident, transparent decision-making.
Working closely with the Group Chief Financial Officer and senior leaders across all three organisations, you will:
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Lead the Group’s financial control, treasury, statutory reporting and transactional finance functions
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Shape and deliver a consistent financial control environment across multiple organisations, balancing statutory independence with a “one team” approach
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Oversee the production of statutory accounts and external audit relationships across the Group
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Drive group-wide transformation of finance systems, processes and operating models
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Build strong, collaborative relationships across GMCA, GMFRS and TfGM to ensure alignment and shared standards
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Act as a senior corporate leader, contributing to organisation-wide priorities beyond finance and support the delivery of the Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS)
This is a highly visible role requiring the ability to operate confidently across organisational boundaries and in a complex, politically-led environment.
About you
We’re looking for someone who combines technical excellence with system leadership and collaboration. You will be a credible, values-led finance leader with the experience and judgement to lead at scale, alongside strong technical expertise and a collaborative, forward-thinking approach.
You’ll bring:
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A recognised CCAB, CIMA or equivalent qualification
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Significant experience leading financial control or core finance functions at a senior level
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Experience working across complex, multi-organisation environments, ideally in the public sector
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A track record of delivering transformation across systems, processes or operating models
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Strong influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and work effectively across organisational boundaries
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Confidence to advise, influence and constructively challenge at senior leadership and political stakeholders
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A commitment to inclusive leadership and developing high-performing teams
Most importantly, you’ll be able to take a whole-group perspective, balancing strong financial stewardship with enabling delivery of shared priorities.
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Ideally you will also bring experience of financial systems and ERP implementation or major improvement, with a focus on modernising processes and enhancing organisational capability.
Why join us
This is a unique opportunity to:
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Work in the most developed Mayoral Strategic Authority in England
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Work at the heart of a system-wide model, shaping how three major organisations operate together and supporting the Greater Manchester Mayor in delivering the GM Strategy (GMS)
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Lead financial control across the GMCA Group, with real impact on public services
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Play a key role in strengthening long-term financial resilience and sustainability
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Be part of a collaborative leadership community that works as one team for Greater Manchester
If you’re a strategic finance leader looking to operate at scale, influence at the highest levels and drive meaningful change across a complex public sector system, we want to hear from you.
About us:
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) brings together the cityregion’s ten councils and key partners including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) - to deliver the Greater Manchester Strategy. Our shared vision is to create a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life. We work to grow an inclusive economy and ensure people have what they need to live happy, healthy lives, tackling inequalities. Our policy department include Digital, Economy, Education, Work & Skills, Environment, Place Making, Public Service Reform, and Safer & Stronger Communities - who are supported by our essential corporate functions like Finance, Legal & Governance, People Services, Procurement and Communications.
We value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Greater Manchester. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, Trans status and Non-binary identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
To find out more about working for us please click here: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/
Our offer:
In return for your hard work, we offer our employees a competitive package as part of our offer that you can find out more about here:
Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Home | greater.jobs
Mandatory Information:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.
Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.
Privacy Notice (Click here)
Employees on the redeployment register will be given priority for any vacancies in the first instance. If employees are identified as a match from the register then the vacancy may be withdrawn or put on hold pending an outcome.
For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licenced sponsor.
Hybrid working
This role is part of GMCA’s hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to ‘Build Back Fairer’ in Greater Manchester following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our Manchester city centre office, allocated GM Local Authority office(s), or on site in the community, with remote working, typically from home (within a reasonable commutable distance from Greater Manchester); the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: ‘Do what is right for you and the business on that day’. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.
GM Elevate programme
If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme within the last two years, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application?
Safeguarding Policy and Procedure
GMP VETTING
This post requires Non-Police Personnel Vetting.
Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years UK residency for Non-Police Personnel Vetting. If an applicant does not have the minimum residency required eligibility would be considered on a case by case basis using all information that can be obtained following a successful application.
The College of Policing’s Code of Practice for Vetting must be followed. This information is available from the College of Policing website. For further details please see below:
Vetting | College of Policing
POLITICALLY RESTRICTED:
This post is a politically restricted post, as defined by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (as amended by Section 30 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009) on one of the following grounds:
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the post is that of a Chief Officer or Deputy Chief Officer or
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the post has delegated powers to discharge the functions of the Authority; or
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the duties associated with the post include giving advice on a regular basis to the Authority, to Committees or Sub-Committees of the Authority (including member panels, Sub-Committees etc.) or to joint committees on which the Authority is represented or give advice to Executive Members, Committees or speak to the media.
The post holder has a right to appeal to the GMCA Chief Executive against the classification of their post as politically restricted.
To apply for this position, please visit - GMCA Council | Jobs | Search here for your perfect career - Job Information | Apply for Group Director of Financial Control (Group)
