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Finance Improvement Manager

  • Public sector
  • Darlington
  • 01/05/2025
  • £55,760.00 - £62,000.00 /yearly
  • Permanent
Job expired!

Job Overview

Location

Darlington

Job Type

Permanent

Salary

£55,760 - £62,000 yearly

Date Posted:

01/05/2025

Expiration date:

18/05/2025

Additional Detail

Job ID

25770

Work Location

Remote and/or Onsite

Job Description

If you're interested in making a difference to people's lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.  
 
Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.  
 
We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It's central government, made more accessible to you! 

Overview

Public Spending Group

The Public Spending Group is a high-profile and rewarding place to work.  We help the Chancellor decide what to spend £1.2trillion a year on and ensure government delivers value for money for the taxpayer. We are responsible for reporting to Parliament and the public on how taxpayers' money is spent. We drive forward improved outcomes and efficiency in public services and make sure value for money is at the centre of decision-making through better evaluation, data and analysis.  

We advise on overall government policy on public sector pay and pensions, the biggest single driver of public spending. We collaborate with and directly support departments to deliver the Government Finance Function strategy, building finance, debt and risk capability across government and developing the management information, tools and frameworks to better understand and ensure value for money. 

About the Team

The Strategy, Performance & Improvement Team is one of the central Government Finance Function (GFF) teams looking after nearly 10,000 finance professionals across government. As part of their work, they maintain a central library of best practice to share, improve and drive efficiency in the delivery of finance services. The GFF is one of the 11 Central government functions and is governed by Functional Standard (GovS006) which determines what 'good' looks like in the delivery of these services.

The team is also been responsible for the NOVA Functional Reference Model - a pan Government design to be adopted by all Government Departments in building out new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems under the Shared Services Strategy for Government. We are committed to enhancing finance performance by supporting the adoption of the NOVA Finance design and standards, while introducing new analytical and digital capabilities such as process mining. These advancements aim to improve cross-government insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of the finance function. With significant technology changes anticipated - driven by the implementation of new ERP systems across government - this is an exciting time. This role will be crucial in ensuring we fully capitalise on these opportunities, embedding government best practices and standardisation into the new systems.

The fifteen-person team works across a wide range of partners, providing the individual with the opportunity to be part of creating positive and long-lasting change across finance function communities. The role offers exposure across Whitehall, including the chance to work and influence at the highest levels of the Civil Service. The team prides itself on providing an encouraging working environment, which role models flexible working and inclusivity, with opportunities to build networks within the finance function and beyond.

About the Job

The Finance Improvement Manager is an exciting new post supporting government to adopt leading practice finance process and data design,

The key responsibilities covered are:

  1. To act as the GFF Finance Subject Matter Expert (SME), bringing your accounting andadvising, and managing via clear change control amendments to the integrated model of leading practice finance assets in NOVA. The assets include process flows, business glossary, data standards, key performance changes in other functions that have implication in the finance arena.
  2. Facilitation of finance process & design communities to promote knowledge sharing, capability building around leading practice approaches and problem solving in relation to Finance systems/processes improvement and automation. This will involve working closely with team members to set an appealing programme of engagement events and active outreach and communications.
  3. Establishing and facilitating a Central 'Finance Innovation Group' forum with all 5 Shared Service Clusters to support targeted issue resolution on design queries, share the latest learning on leading practice systems design; and ensure divergence from leading practice is transparently reported on to Finance Leadership. You will need to embed yourself in Shared Service Cluster Programme teams, ensuring that you advocate for adoption of finance standards where practical/mandated and are seen as a trusted and valued expert.
  4. Keep an eye on the latest trends in finance improvement and new technologies, looking for opportunities to create valuable analysis and insights. Share these insights across government to encourage best practices and help continuously improve the Finance Function.
  5. Directly provide, or facilitate expert advice to Department, ALB or Shared Service Cluster design authorities on detailed design decisions as part of system implementations, utilising the NOVA finance assets to provide consistency of advice, and uphold the Shared Services for Government Design Principles (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-shared-services-strategy-for-government ).
  6. Work with other government functions, particularly, Government People Group, Government Grants Management Function and Government Commercial Function alongside the central NOVA Product Team to govern dependencies, identify and articulate cross-functional & cross-process linkages and promote teamwork and join-up.

The wider team is involved in a diverse portfolio of work around digital finance, process mining, AI and data analytics. You will be expected to bring to bear your finance expertise in helping progress the wider GFF agenda and will be called upon to contribute to wider strategy development more generally. Ideally, you will have a keen interest in digital finance and data analytics, with opportunity to train in these areas appropriately.

Person specification

We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form.

Whilst we are looking for someone qualified as an accountant, we are particularly interested in those with exposure to finance system implementation, data analytics and governance, who has a particular interest in digital finance and technology innovation. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form.

Civil service applications test a range of behaviours (how you act) and experiences (what you have done and what your skills are). The behaviours are set out in line with the civil services behaviour dictionary https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b27cf2240f0b634b469fb1a/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf . This role will assess you at the Grade 7 level. 

  • A qualified finance professional with experience of delivering or supporting finance technology change and transformation for example on transactional, reporting, or analytical systems. [Experience]
  • Excellent communication skills and experience of translating, in an accessible way, technical and complex finance and financial system information, with a track record of influencing a broad range of partners and audiences, often at senior levels. [Communicating and influencing]
  • Create an environment for effective collaboration to foster diverse and effective communities of practice and team working. [Working together]
  • Anticipate & understand internal and external trends and practices and encourage & share innovative ideas from diverse range of colleagues and partners to generate continuous improvement. [Changing and improving]

The lead criterion is: Experience.

If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.

Required Qualifications:

  • CCAB, CIMA (or equivalent) finance qualification

Candidate Guidance Support Session - Microsoft Teams
 
We will be running an overview of Success Profiles and the STAR approach including top tips for the application and interview process and an opportunity to ask general questions around our recruitment practices. Please note that this session is not role specific, so we will be unable to answer specific questions about roles we are advertising. If you would like to join us, please use the link below to join the call at the right time.  

Thursday 15th May 12:30 - 13:15

Join the meeting now

Qualifications

CCAB, CIMA (or equivalent) finance qualification

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Changing and Improving

Alongside your salary of £55,760, HM Treasury contributes £16,153 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
  • 25 days' annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King's birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)  
  • Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)  
  • Generous parental and adoption leave package. 
  • A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 28%  
  • Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room  
  • Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving  
  • Access to a retail discounts and cashback site  
  • A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes  
  • A range of active staff networks, based around interests and diversity

Flexible Working Arrangements

HM Treasury views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they can enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including; part-time, compressed hours and job sharing. Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees the flexibility to adjust their working patterns throughout the week which is subject to operational needs and line management approval.  

At HM Treasury we have an incredibly broad remit; our work touches every citizen of the country. So, it's important our employees come from the widest possible range of backgrounds, bringing us the widest possible range of perspectives and ways of thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all staff can realise their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites - Darlington, London, and Norwich, and along with the rest of the Civil Service, has an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office, along with working remotely. This blended working approach allows you to work collaboratively, meet stakeholders face to face, support others and promotes a healthy work life balance (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. All our offices have been recently modernised and designed to collaborate and connect with colleagues as well as desk and quiet space to allow a range of ways to work.

The office working expectation is linked to the location of the role. If you apply to a post in a single location, then you will not be able to meet this expectation at any of our other sites or move your role to another location. 

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Recruitment Timeline 

  • Closing date: 18th May 
  • Shortlisting: w/c 19th May
  • Interviews:  w/c 2nd June

This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline. 

If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile. 

Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.

At interview stage, you will be assessed on the below criteria:

  • Experience
  • Strengths
  • Behaviours:
  • Changing and Improving
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together

Interview Task/Presentation

Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a task/presentation that the interview panel would like you to complete as part of the assessment. The exact details will be communicated to you nearer the time.

Reserve Lists
 
You will be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot offer you a post immediately. Where more than one location has been advertised, candidates will be approached for roles in merit order according to the first preferred location stated on your application form. 

Please note that a place on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer. We would still encourage you to apply for other HM Treasury opportunities that you are interested in. If you are offered a role in your first preferred location and you decline the offer or you are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe, you will be removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances. 

Those on the reserve list may also be approached for similar roles at a lower grade. If you are offered a role at a lower grade and choose to decline, you can remain on the reserve list.   

Eligibility Statement  

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information. 

Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, individuals appointed to the Treasury group will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)

To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, for example if you have been working abroad on a government posting, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case-by-case basis once the advert closing date has passed. 

Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you.  Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive. 

These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting.  If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact [email protected]

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
 
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
 
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
 
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
 
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
 
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
 
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
 
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact

Recruitment team

Further information

Complaints Process: Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment based on fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact HMT by email at: [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.

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