Director of Strategic Finance

The Director of Strategic Finance is a critical leadership role.

You will provide strategic financial leadership for one of government's largest spending departments, shaping how more than 100 billion of public funding is invested to deliver better outcomes for children, young people and families.

Working closely with Ministers, HM Treasury and senior leaders, you will lead Spending Reviews, funding strategy and major investment decisions, ensuring resources are targeted effectively and deliver maximum impact and value for money. You'll also lead a high-performing finance directorate and play a key role in the wider leadership of the Department for Education.

We are looking for an outstanding leader, with a strong track record on large scale financial leadership and a passion for ensuring that the money we spend has the greatest impact possible on children and young peoples lives.

The Director of Strategic Finance provides strategic financial leadership to the Department for Education, advising Ministers, the Permanent Secretary and the Leadership Team on fiscal strategy, affordability, value for money and funding policy. The role jointly leads the DfE Finance Function alongside the Director of Operational Finance and is accountable for:

• Leading the Strategic Finance Directorate (c.165 staff) and helping shape the direction of the wider DfE Finance Function.
• Securing the department's revenue, capital and administration budgets, leading engagement with HM Treasury through Spending Reviews, fiscal events and funding negotiations.
• Advising Ministers and senior leaders on the allocation of funding, ensuring resources are aligned to strategic priorities and deliver value for money across more than 100 billion of public expenditure.
• Providing strategic oversight of the department's financial position, ensuring strong stewardship of public funds, effective risk management and high-quality financial advice. This includes ensuring the department operates in line with Managing Public Money, maintaining strong governance and protecting the Accounting Officer's position.
• Setting the strategic direction for early years, high needs, schools and capital funding policy, advising on funding reform, affordability and delivery.
• Acting as the department's senior finance lead with HM Treasury, building trusted relationships and influencing funding decisions across government.
• Working to ensure funding settlements and ministerial priorities are translated into delivery, working across policy, finance, digital and operational teams.
• Representing DfE across Whitehall and contributing to the leadership and development of the Government Finance Function.

Essential criteria:

• A strong track record of leading a Finance Function or significant funding operation in a large and complex organisation, providing high-quality advice on funding, affordability, value for money, risk and fiscal strategy. This should include interpreting financial information to help shape and influence organisational strategy.
• Proven ability to influence and secure the confidence of senior stakeholders Ministers, Board members or equivalent level leaders. This includes operating effectively in complex and high-profile organisational environments, demonstrating sound judgement and the ability to navigate competing priorities and interests.
• Significant experience of securing, allocating and managing substantial revenue, capital and administration budgets, including business planning, funding settlements and in-year financial management.
• Experience of leading effective transformation, including driving sustainable efficiencies and change across large organisations or systems.
• Outstanding leadership skills, with experience of leading diverse professional teams fostering high-performing and inclusive cultures.