Finance Lead - PackUK

We would like to thank you for considering the role of Finance Lead for the UK Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) for Packaging Scheme Administrator (SA). If successful you will be part of a team at the heart of one of the most important and powerful environmental reforms of our time, by helping to shape and make a direct contribution to the achievement of net zero by 2050 while boosting the economy.

The new pEPR UK scheme launched in 2025, and the Finance Lead will be part of a team of talented individuals who are passionate about recycling and the environment. Together you will work on transforming our current linear economic model of take, make, use, throw into a circular economy. In a circular economy, resources will be retained and used for as long as possible, maximising gained value; capitalising on resource efficiency; minimising waste and the impact that inefficient resource use has on our environment and society.

We are looking to recruit a talented person who can provide leadership and support for the development and delivery of all aspects of finance delivery and has a proven track record of delivering a high-quality service, within a busy, complex, dynamic and fast-moving environment.

Fundamental to the role is the emphasis we place on the applicants personal qualities, which is viewed as significant to the role as that of your professional background. You will need to be able to engage with people both within the organisation and across the wider network of stakeholders. You will to be culturally competent and be able to build relationships with all people regardless of their background; have excellent networking and collaboration skills that ensures operational excellence and business delivery is always achieved, which will be part of a complex and unpredictable environment.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Finance Lead will head up a team of finance specialists to deliver the finance function for the Scheme Administrator.

You will provide strategic finance support to Senior Leadership, Devolved Governments and Four Nations boards and committees for the multibillion four nations packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. You will work closely and build critical relationships with finance professions across Defra, Devolved Governments and other government departments, maintaining critical relationships between Scheme Administrator and key stakeholder finance functions.

You will operate in a complex and evolving environment, managing a small team of finance specialists to deliver an effective finance function. You will build strong collaborative relationships with a range of partners, ensuring excellent service and informed decision-making that drives business outcomes. This role offers exposure to a broad range of responsibilities, supporting key business areas and influencing strategic and operational decisions. Success requires exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to listen, interpret, influence, negotiate, and inspire while maintaining focus under pressure.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of statutory and non-statutory financial reporting for Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), ensuring compliance with legislation, public sector accounting standards, and IFRS across DEFRA and Devolved Governments.
• Provide accurate, timely financial management information to support strategic decision-making, identifying and managing financial risks and opportunities to drive performance improvements.
• Lead and develop a team of finance specialists, fostering leadership skills and ensuring high-quality service delivery across multiple stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including DEFRA, Devolved Governments, and wider networks, to deliver a coordinated and effective finance service.
• Represent the Scheme Administrator at senior governance forums, presenting financial data, challenging assumptions, and supporting informed decision-making.
• Deliver clear, insightful financial reporting to DEFRA, Devolved Governments, and Scheme Administrator governance forums.
• Support the development and implementation of Packaging EPR policies, ensuring robust financial accounting approaches and approvals across all four nations.
• Proactively identify risks, issues, and opportunities to improve finance and resourcing functions, processes, and standards, making recommendations to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with Managing Public Money and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.
• Collaborate with Fraud & Debt Management teams to identify and mitigate financial risks, implement financial controls, and monitor compliance.

This role is pivotal in ensuring compliance with public sector accounting standards, IFRS, and relevant legislation while delivering accurate and timely financial reporting across DEFRA and Devolved Governments.

You will lead a team of finance specialists, build strong stakeholder relationships, and provide insightful financial analysis to inform strategic and operational decisions. Success in this role requires exceptional leadership, technical accounting expertise, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment.

• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing a team, including mentoring and fostering leadership capability to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Holds a relevant accounting qualification (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent substantial experience in public sector finance and financial reporting.
• Proven experience in preparing statutory and non-statutory financial reports, ensuring compliance with public sector accounting standards, relevant legislation, and IFRS.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial issues clearly to senior audiences.
• Skilled in providing timely, relevant financial management information to support strategic decision-making, identifying risks and opportunities, and driving performance improvements.
• Strong technical accounting expertise across a range of financial disciplines, with the ability to apply these skills effectively to meet customer needs.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility and manage relationships with senior stakeholders across a broad network, both inside and outside government.
• Ability to interpret policy intentions and apply appropriate accounting treatments accurately.

Qualification/s

• Fully (or working towards) qualified accountant (CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA)