Finance and Risk Lead

We are looking for a motivated and innovative leader to drive forward the work of this high-profile team at a moment of significant change in our operating context. There are a number of Cabinet Office corporate change programmes that will present the role holder with opportunities to innovate.

The successful candidate will report to the Grade 7 Corporate Operations Lead and line manage one HEO.

We are a friendly and welcoming team, working in an agile and impactful manner on fast-moving priorities. We place a great emphasis on staff wellbeing and providing tailored career development opportunities and chances for colleagues to stretch and challenge themselves.

Strategic Finance and Budget Management

• Ensuring that the 3.6m budget delivers value for money, providing strategic advice to the CEO and SMT to maximise the budget in pursuit of organisational objectives.
• High-level forecasting, providing the Chief Executive (Accounting Officer) and the Board with accurate, forward-looking financial forecasts to support your advice.
• Sponsor liaison, managing the relationship with Cabinet Office finance business partners and sponsor teams, ensuring compliance with shifting accounting policies.

Annual Report and Accounts

• Working with a wide range of stakeholders of all levels, including the CEO and First Commissioner to lead this project from conception to publication.
• Both commissioning and drafting high quality content on corporate performance for inclusion in the report.
• Personally, leading on the production accounts and remuneration sections. Producing analysis and presenting simple financial information for both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Planning the audit and acting as the primary point of contact for the National Audit Office.

Regular Reporting

• Leading a project to change the way that management reporting is done throughout the year, including a more regular rhythm of external updates.
• Build capability and capacity within the organisation to use this information to tell a story externally about what the organisation does and how.

Audit and Risk Management

• Lead the end-to-end audit, risk and compliance cycle, including the design and maintenance of processes and documentation. Working closely with the Corporate Operations Lead, Audit and Risk Committee and the CEO.
• Working to increase capability on Risk Management throughout the IOs; embedding a culture of risk identification and mitigation within policy, delivery and operational processes e.g., Policy Reviews; Business Planning; Strategy Delivery.
• Lead work with GIAA on a multi-year internal audit plan, ensuring that audits are proportionate, focussed and deliver assurance for the organisation.
• Audit implementation, overseeing the implementation of internal and external audit recommendations to improve organisational governance.
• ARC secretariat, acting as the secretariat for the Audit and Risk Committee, preparing high quality papers, presenting on finance and briefing the Chair and CEO.

Operational Excellence & Change Management

• Lead on Cabinet Office change initiatives for the IOs; driving culture change and embedding the new ERP system Neo in corporate and delivery processes.
• Driving value for money through the procurement and management of key corporate contracts.
• Operational Transformation: designing and driving the evolution of financial and corporate processes, identifying inefficiencies in systems and leading change.

Essential criteria

• Ability to interpret complex data to tell a story and influence executive decision making. Translating technical jargon into strategic advice.
• Experience of government finance policies and protocols (e.g., Managing Public Money and the Financial Reporting Manual) but this is not a specialist role; candidates do not need to be CCAB qualified.
• Experience of building strong working relationships and engagement with internal and external stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes.
• The ability to make evidence-based decisions using effective judgment, resolving issues, mitigating risks and acting as a resolution point when required.
• Strong communication skills, including written communication, using appropriate styles for different audiences.
• The ability to promote a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging opportunities for all.
• The ability to identify and lead on the delivery of business priorities including future planning and alignment to the IOs priorities.
• Leadership experience, demonstrating visible, inclusive and supportive leadership qualities whilst setting clear direction for the team/work areas.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent in CSCs Westminster offices, the roles principal location, although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.