Wakefield Council, Service Director–Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer)

Salary: Competitive six-figure package

Location: Wakefield / Hybrid

Wakefield Council is a large and ambitious authority serving more than 350,000 residents across a diverse district of city, towns and rural communities in West Yorkshire, focused on strengthening communities, growing their economy, improving health and wellbeing, and delivering a greener and more sustainable district.

Finance plays a critical role in enabling those ambitions.

We are now supporting the council in appointing a Service Director – Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer) to shape the next phase of their financial journey.

Reporting to the Corporate Director – Resources (Section 151 Officer), you will lead the Council’s Financial Services function and will provide strategic leadership across financial management, audit and risk, and revenues and benefits, while supporting the development and delivery of the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

This is a highly visible role at the heart of the organisation. You will work closely with the Corporate Management Team, elected Members and senior colleagues across the Council to ensure robust financial stewardship, informed decision-making and effective financial governance.

You will also play a key role in modernising their finance function – strengthening business partnering, improving financial insight, and embedding a culture where finance operates as a trusted strategic advisor across the organisation.

We are looking for a CCAB or CIMA qualified finance professional with:

• finance leadership experience within local government or a similarly complex organisation
• A track record of delivering financial strategy, organisational change and service improvement
• A collaborative leadership style and a commitment to developing high-performing teams.

This is an excellent opportunity for either an aspiring finance leader or an ambitious Deputy S151 looking to take on a broader leadership role in a large and forward-looking authority.

For a confidential conversation, please contact:

·        Andrew Tromans – Partner, Penna – 07805 226301

·        Mark Baldwinson – Researcher, Penna – 07764 698139

Closing date: 11:59pm, Sunday 19th April 2026

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.
6. If you have a long term health condition or disability and would like your application to be considered in accordance with a Disability Confident Scheme, please email: execapplications@penna.com to inform the Penna team.