Head of Finance Digital Products and Engineering (FDPE)
- Civil Service
- Part Time
- Birmingham
- 67,730 - 81,535
Job Description
Job summary
The Head of Finance Digital Products and Engineering (FDPE) leads the design, delivery and continuous improvement of Finance digital products that enable a trusted, insight‑led and user‑centred Finance service.
The role owns the digital product and engineering layer that sits on top of core Finance systems (including our future ERP Synergy), ensuring Finance services are experienced as coherent, intuitive and reliable by Finance colleagues, budget holders and senior leaders.
The postholder is accountable for translating Finance outcomes and user needs into well‑designed digital products, managing digital demand and priorities, and reducing manual effort, operational risk and dependency on workarounds.
Job description
Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. In terms of programme and project delivery, Defra has one of the largest and most complicated portfolios in Government.
This role leads the design and delivery of digital finance products and services across Defra Group, shaping how Finance uses systems, data and technology to improve performance and decision‑making. You will play a key role in delivering our Finance Digital strategy, driving transformation through modern tools, data and automation, and ensuring Finance is equipped to meet future demands.
Digital product leadership
- Act as Senior Product Owner for Finance digital products supporting budgeting, forecasting, monitoring, insight and self‑service.
- Lead the use of AI‑enabled, low‑code and configurable tools to improve productivity and support insight‑led decision‑making.
- Ensure products are designed around user needs and decision‑making, not system architecture.
- Champion user‑centred, narrative‑led and exception‑based design.
Two‑layer digital model
- Lead a clear two‑layer digital approach:
- Internal: tools that improve Finance productivity and reduce operational risk
- External: user‑facing services that enable confident self‑service
- Ensure coherent integration with Synergy ERP, shared services and wider Defra platforms.
- Prevent proliferation of bespoke or unmanaged solutions.
Digital engineering and delivery
- Lead secure, resilient and scalable engineering approaches aligned to Defra standards.
- Oversee delivery of technology around core platforms to support insight, reporting, workflow and self‑service.
- Work with data and insight teams to ensure products are built on trusted data foundations.
Demand management and governance
- Own Finance digital demand intake, shaping and prioritisation in line with agreed outcomes.
- Maintain a clear pipeline of initiatives, including value, cost, dependencies and risks.
- Provide visibility of key risks and trade‑offs to Finance leadership.
Leadership and capability
- Lead and develop multi‑disciplinary teams across product, engineering and service design.
- Embed modern product and delivery approaches.
- Support adoption of AI‑enabled tools in everyday Finance practice.
- Build sustainable capability and reduce reliance on key individuals.
Key relationships
- Finance Transformation Programme
- Finance Systems and Data Management (FSDM)
- Finance Digital Experience & Service Design (FDESD)
- Synergy Programme and Group Corporate Service Digital teams
- Finance Leadership Team and senior budget holders
Person specification
Essential experience
You should be able to demonstrate:
- Significant leadership experience delivering digital products, platforms or services in a complex organisation
- Strong understanding of how Finance functions operate, including decision‑making, controls, assurance and stakeholder expectations
- Proven ability to translate business and user needs into effective digital solutions and services
- Experience of managing competing priorities, delivery risk and digital demand in a transparent and structured way
- Experience working with large enterprise systems (such as ERP platforms) while enabling innovation and service improvement
Essential skills and behaviours
You will:
- Think strategically, connecting long‑term Finance outcomes to practical delivery
- Lead and develop multi‑disciplinary teams across product, engineering and service design
- Communicate clearly and confidently with senior leaders and non‑technical stakeholders
- Make effective decisions in complex and ambiguous environments
- Drive high standards of service quality, risk management and continuous improvement
Essential experience and qualifications
You should be able to demonstrate:
- A recognised professional accountancy qualification (for example CIMA, CIPFA, ACA or ACCA)
- A relevant qualification or significant experience in Digital or Project Delivery, with exposure to Finance systems (such as ERP platforms)
- Experience of large‑scale transformation or ERP-enabled change
- Experience embedding AI-enabled or low-code tools into business processes
- Familiarity with public sector digital, assurance or governance environments
