Head of Finance Government

Overview

The role ensures robust financial governance, accurate forecasting, and alignment with the objectives of a high-profile capital programme. You'll play a pivotal role in embedding sound financial stewardship, influencing resource planning, and building strong relationships with executive leadership, governance bodies, and programme stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities

• ?? Financial Control & Governance
  • Lead the organisation's financial control environment, ensuring compliance with public financial management standards.
  • Oversee delivery of statutory accounts, management reports, and audits.

• ?? Strategic Finance Leadership
  • Partner with executive leadership, Boards, and Committees to inform strategic decision-making and align programme delivery with financial best practice.
  • Provide leadership across budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning cycles.
  • Act as finance business owner of the Oracle ERP system, collaborating with digital teams on enhancements.

• ?? Insight & Decision Support
  • Deliver high-quality financial insights and risk analysis to support programme and project teams.
  • Drive effective value for money assessments and change control monitoring.
  • Lead development of Anticipated Final Cost forecasts, variance analysis and contingency reporting.

• ?? Audit & Assurance
  • Coordinate internal and external audit processes, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
  • Maintain integrity in financial reporting across work breakdown and project control structures.

• ?? Culture & Continuous Improvement
  • Embed a culture of accountability, high performance, and continuous improvement across the finance function.
  • Guide teams through shifting priorities and programme phases.

• ???????? Team Leadership
  • Lead and develop high-performing teams across Financial Control, Accounts Payable, FP&A, and Finance Business Partnering.

Key Relationships

• Executive Leadership Team and Board
• Internal Audit and Programme Committees
• External auditors
• Budget holders and strategic programme leads
• Legal, tax and governance advisors
• Wider government and parliamentary teams

Essentials:

• Professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) and degree-level education
• Significant post-qualification experience in a senior finance role within a complex public sector or major capital delivery environment
• Deep knowledge of financial governance, systems (particularly Oracle ERP), and strategic planning
• Strong analytical and communication skills, able to advise at Board level
• Proven ability to lead teams in fast-paced, ambiguous settings
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools and experienced in delivering complex reports to tight deadlines.

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