Group Finance Manager - Projects

Job introduction

Job title: Group Finance Manager - Projects

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

The role:

As Group Finance Manager (Projects), you will be responsible for strategic-level reporting, providing high-quality technical financial advice, guidance and support to senior management, and supporting capital financial planning.

You will play a leading role in strengthening capital governance across the Council, ensuring that proposed schemes progress through appropriate approval, assurance and reporting arrangements and remain aligned with the Capital Strategy, Medium Term Financial Strategy and relevant statutory and professional requirements.

The post holder will provide robust, evidence-based support and constructive challenge to business cases, testing strategic fit, affordability, deliverability, value for money, funding assumptions, financial risks and whole-life implications before recommendations are presented to decision-makers. You will enable effective decision-making by ensuring financial resources are used efficiently, risks are managed effectively and financial goals are achieved.

You will be a fully qualified member of a recognised professional accountancy body (CCAB/CIMA) and will be based in the Cunard Building, Liverpool for a minimum of two days per week, with flexibility over which days you attend to meet the needs of the organisation.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead a finance team
• Collaborate with senior management teams, providing financial expertise and guidance
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor on financial matters
• Support and constructively challenge the development of robust business cases, ensuring that options are evidence-based and aligned with corporate priorities, service objectives and the Council’s financial and capital strategies
• Assess business cases for compliance with HM Treasury Green Book principles and the Council’s governance requirements, critically evaluating strategic fit, options appraisal, costs and benefits, affordability, funding, deliverability, value for money, risk, optimism bias and whole-life financial implications
• Manage and support effective capital governance, including the financial appraisal and prioritisation of schemes, compliance with approval gateways and delegated authorities, maintenance of clear audit trails, and timely reporting of programme performance, funding, risks, dependencies and required decisions to senior officers and governance boards
• Monitor the financial case for approved projects throughout delivery, challenging material changes to scope, cost, funding, timescales, benefits or risk and escalating issues where schemes no longer demonstrate affordability, deliverability or value for money
• Monitor and analyse financial performance, providing timely and accurate management information, reports, and forecasts
• Conduct financial modelling and scenario analysis to support strategic decision-making and resource allocation
• Identify areas of financial risk and develop mitigation strategies to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with the wider finance team to ensure accurate and efficient financial operations
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, and reporting tools

Our offer to you:

• At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Employee Volunteering Scheme
• Medicash

Next steps:

Closing date: midnight on Sunday 11 October 2026
Shortlisting date: 12 & 13 October 2026
Interview date: 21 & 22 October 2026
Interview type: face-to-face, including a ten minute presentation

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it. We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the closing date to avoid disappointment.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Sian Jones at sian.jones@liverpool.gov.uk.

Watch our recruitment video and see what life is like working at Liverpool City Council:

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.

Although we advertise on Jobs Go Public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications. Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

This is not legal advice, and we advise you to seek your own independent legal advice tailored to your own personal circumstances.