Job Introduction
Bradford Finance is undergoing significant change and investment. Having been under resourced for a number of years it is now entering a new phase of development and strategic focus in order to support the Council’s ambitious new corporate strategy and plans.
A restructure has recently completed with the department now comprising four key teams: Management Accounting; Corporate and Strategic Finance; Projects, Systems and Commercial; and Internal Audit, Risk, Business Development and Improvement. The restructure includes significant additional capacity and investment in training and development.
A new service plan is being developed during 2025 with a clear strategic focus and direction including a development plan to focus on delivering financial literacy across the organisation, while at the same time, elevating the impact of the Finance team within the organisation to support and drive the Council’s strategic plans whilst delivering its financial sustainability and recovery programme.
The team has recently been highly instrumental in the last 12 months in helping the Council secure:
- The lifting of the Best Value Notice put in place in February 2024 by February 2025, an unprecedented achievement.
- A very positive review by CIPFA about progress being made in Bradford to become financially sustainable. CIPFA cites progress being made in several key areas, including the addressing of risks identified in the previous review of 2023. They also report that financial planning in Bradford is robust, savings proposals are well considered and are being delivered, even where choices are difficult.
- Completion of the 2025/26 budget much earlier than previously.
- Closure and audit sign off of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 accounts in the last 4 months, both with an unqualified opinion.
- A very positive half year report by the Council’s Independent Board.
The Risk Officer is a new role designed to support the council’s risk manager to further develop the council risk management arrangements. The role is crucial to the support and delivery of best-in-class risk management across the council and its partners. The post is key to supporting, developing and providing a strategic vision for the future development of the service to enable the council to meet its future challenges whilst fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This role is an opportunity to make a real difference in our vibrant and diverse city.
We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to lead as our Risk Officer in our Internal Audit, Risk and Business Development and Improvement team within the Finance Department. The successful candidate will be expected to support the risk manager in the development of the risk approach, training, software development and continual improvement of risk management matters.
The main responsibilities of this role are:
- To work with the Risk Manager and Insurance Manager to provide support in respect of the Council’s risk and insurance arrangements.
- To collaborate with service areas and contribute to the development of risk management arrangements and loss control strategies to improve the Council’s insurance risk profile
- To support and deputise for the Risk Manager in leading the Council’s risk management arrangements.
- To provide professional advice on risk management systems and procedures to Strategic and Assistant Directors to enable service departments to manage their risks effectively.
- To work with the Risk Manager to undertake an annual review of the risk management strategy and process.
- To manage and support the implementation of strategic risk management within the overall framework of the risk management strategy.
- To manage the coordination and updating of the corporate risk register to enable CMT to undertake their roles and provide exception reporting on departmental risk management progress.
- To support and establish any links between departmental and corporate risk registers and action plans and ensure consistency of approach. Support corporate and departmental risk coordinators and strategic directors to undertake their roles.
- To work with the Risk Manager to research and identify best practice in risk management and to provide guidance and support on introducing risk management measures and techniques.
- Expected to deal with complex, sensitive and confidential matters on a regular basis, frequently using own initiative to reach creative solutions on making recommendations to Strategic Directors, Assistant Directors, Departmental Management Teams, elected members and other senior managers.
- Represent and promote the Council on Risk Management issues at appropriate local, regional and national forums and maintain and develop working relationships with professional bodies and other groups to ensure effective representation and promote meaningful networking.
- Act as ambassador for risk management by showing professionalism, high personal standards of integrity and courtesy at all times. Promote this culture throughout the organisation.
- To promote fairness and inclusion across all service provision and employment through personal example, open commitment, clear action and direction.
- Organise, deliver and participate in training events to improve the skills, knowledge and understanding of staff both in Risk Management and elsewhere.
- Raise governance and risk management awareness across the Council and widen ownership of good governance and managing risk to all staff including the completion of consultancy projects
How to Apply
If you are interested in joining our team and would like some further information, please contact
- Richard Hoyle, Risk Manager on 07582 102719 or email Richard.Hoyle@Bradford.gov.uk , or
- Mike Thomas on 07738 128501 or email Mike.Thomas@Bradford.gov.uk.
Further information is available through the links below, along with the attached Job Profile and Candidate Information Pack.
Budget Meeting of Council - 06 March 2025
Statement of Accounts - 2023/24
CBMDC - External Assurance Review
Employee Offer
Why work for Bradford Council? Find out why by taking a look at Our Employee Offer.pdf .
Equal Opportunities
We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender re-assignment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, religion or belief nationality or age. And, as an equal opportunities employer, the Council strives to employ the best qualified people from a diverse range of applicants.
The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.
