Executive Director of Finance
Salary: £125,000 – £145,000
Contract: Permanent
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer / Head of Paid Service
Shape the Future of Hull and East Yorkshire
Strategic Leadership. Commercial Ambition. Regional Transformation.
Hull and East Yorkshire is entering an exciting new chapter of investment, growth and opportunity.
As a newly established Combined Authority, HEYCA is at the forefront of delivering the benefits of devolution, unlocking investment, driving economic growth and creating lasting opportunities for residents, businesses and communities across the region.
We are seeking an exceptional Executive Director of Finance to join our Strategic Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the Authority’s financial future.
This is far more than a traditional finance leadership position. We are looking for a commercially astute, forward-thinking executive who can combine financial expertise with strategic vision, innovation and the ambition to help build a high-performing organisation.
As our statutory Section 73 Officer, you will provide the financial leadership, governance and assurance essential to our success, while helping unlock new investment opportunities, develop commercial strategies and maximise the impact of public funding.
This is a rare opportunity to influence a new organisation from its formative stages and help shape the long-term economic future of Hull and East Yorkshire.
About HEYCA
The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) was established through the region’s devolution agreement, providing unprecedented opportunities to shape the future of our area.
As a strategic authority, HEYCA is responsible for driving economic growth, skills development, transport improvements, investment and regeneration across the region. Working in partnership with local authorities, businesses, education providers, government departments and community organisations, we are committed to creating sustainable growth and increasing opportunity for everyone who lives and works here.
Hull and East Yorkshire is a region with significant strengths and enormous potential. From our world-leading renewable energy sector and major ports to advanced manufacturing, logistics, digital innovation and a growing visitor economy, we are uniquely positioned to contribute to national growth while delivering local prosperity.
As a developing organisation, HEYCA offers a truly unique opportunity to help shape both the future of the region and the organisation itself.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will be a key member of HEYCA’s Strategic Leadership Team, providing executive leadership across Finance, Procurement and Commercial, ICT and Digital, and Payroll.
You will lead the development and delivery of the Authority’s financial strategy, ensuring resources, investment and commercial activities are aligned with our ambitious regional priorities.
Alongside fulfilling your statutory responsibilities as Section 73 Officer, you will champion financial sustainability, commercial innovation, robust governance and value for money.
You will play a central role in shaping major investment decisions, overseeing financial planning and grant-funded programmes, developing commercial opportunities and ensuring the Authority has the financial resilience to deliver its long-term ambitions.
Working closely with the Mayor, Chief Executive, elected Members, Government departments and regional partners, you will provide trusted strategic advice and help translate regional ambitions into sustainable, measurable outcomes.
You will also lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, embedding a culture of high performance, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic financial leadership as a member of HEYCA’s Strategic Leadership Team
- Fulfil the statutory responsibilities of the Section 73 Officer, ensuring strong financial governance, accountability and regulatory compliance
- Develop and deliver the Authority’s medium- and long-term financial strategies, supporting sustainable investment and organisational growth
- Lead financial planning, budgeting, treasury management and investment oversight, ensuring effective management of public resources
- Shape and oversee commercial, procurement and investment strategies, identifying opportunities for income generation, innovation and improved value for money
- Provide strategic financial advice to the Mayor, Chief Executive and senior leadership on major investment programmes and organisational priorities
- Oversee grant-funded programmes, ensuring effective financial monitoring, governance, evaluation and accountability
- Lead corporate risk management, internal controls and financial assurance arrangements
- Provide executive leadership across Finance, ICT and Digital, Procurement and Commercial, and Payroll
- Act as Senior Responsible Officer for major projects, ensuring delivery against strategic objectives
- Develop strong relationships with Government, constituent authorities, regional partners and key stakeholders
- Build and lead high-performing teams, championing professional excellence, accountability and continuous improvement
About You
You will be an accomplished senior finance leader with the credibility, commercial insight and strategic capability to operate at executive level within a complex, politically sensitive environment.
You will combine a strong understanding of public sector finance and governance with a forward-thinking approach to investment, organisational development and commercial opportunities.
We are particularly interested in leaders who can look beyond established ways of working, challenge constructively and bring fresh thinking to how financial and commercial services can support regional growth.
We are looking for someone who brings –
- A recognised professional accountancy qualification from a CCAB body
- Significant experience of strategic financial leadership, governance and financial management within the public sector
- Strong understanding of public sector funding, financial regulations, procurement and risk management
- A proven ability to manage significant commercial contracts and grant-funded programmes while delivering value for money
- The ability to provide clear, credible and influential advice to senior leaders and diverse stakeholders
- Exceptional strategic thinking, financial acumen and the confidence to navigate complex challenges
- Strong leadership skills, with a collaborative approach and commitment to building high-performing teams
- A genuine commitment to innovation, inclusivity, continuous improvement and delivering excellent public outcomes
Experience operating at board level, delivering large-scale financial strategies and leading organisational transformation would be particularly valuable.
An understanding of combined authorities and devolved funding arrangements would also be advantageous.
Above all, you will bring the ambition, integrity and determination to help establish HEYCA as a financially resilient, commercially effective and high-performing organisation.
Why Join HEYCA?
This is a unique opportunity to join a newly established Combined Authority at a defining moment in its development.
Unlike many established executive finance positions, this role offers the opportunity to help shape the financial, commercial and digital foundations of an organisation with significant regional ambitions.
You will work at the heart of major investment and strategic decisions, influencing how public resources are deployed to support economic growth, infrastructure, regeneration and better outcomes for communities.
You will have the opportunity to build effective services, challenge conventional approaches, develop high-performing teams and help create an organisation recognised for financial excellence, innovation and delivery.
Few roles offer this combination of –
Executive Influence. Commercial Opportunity. Regional Ambition. Lasting Impact.
If you are an ambitious finance leader who wants to do more than manage the numbers, and instead help shape the future of an entire region, we would welcome your application.
Closing Date: 15th November 2026
Selection Process:
Shortlisted candidates will participate in a structured assessment and selection process, including stakeholder engagement activities, presentations and interviews. The preferred candidate will be subject to formal appointment by the Combined Authority.
This post is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (as amended).
Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the people we serve.
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