Position: Director of Finance, Planning & Performance Band: SCS2 Salary: £98,000 - £145,000 Location: Liverpool/Norwich/Newport/Birmingham Term: Permanent Hours: Full Time Closing Date: 05/02/25 Sift / Shortlist meeting: 19/02/25 Individual Leadership Assessments (ILA): w/c 24/02/25 to WC 03/02/25 Informal conversations : 03/03 or 07/03/25 Interviews: 14/03/25 The role Would you like to lead the finance function and be on the Board of the largest public procurement organisation in the UK? Do you want to help manage public money and join a team that delivers value? We are seeking an exceptional individual for a key role in leading CCS and the finance, planning and performance function of a fully commercial trading fund. As Director of Finance, Planning & Performance, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you will play a vital role in helping CCS to achieve its ambition to be a world class central commercial and procurement organisation. Directorate Overview The Finance, Planning & Performance directorate play a crucial role in shaping the organisation’s financial direction, managing financial strategy, business planning and compliance, all while supporting the organisation’s ambition and values. The successful candidate will lead the following teams: Finance team Planning, Performance & Risk team Business Assurance Services team Investment Assurance team Assurance & Information Security team Key responsibilities and accountabilities: provide effective financial monitoring, forecasts and analysis to support the management of resources and decision making Provide strategic financial recommendations by making informed, reliable judgements based on context, expertise, and experience act as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer, ensuring appropriate regularity, propriety and stewardship in line with the requirements set out in Managing Public Money be a key leader who drives enterprise working within the organisations corporate team and a member of the CCS board deputise for the Chief Executive Officer and take up the role of Accounting Officer in their absence provide leadership across a broad range of corporate responsibilities, in particular business planning, corporate performance reporting and insight, corporate risk and issue management, business assurance, investment assurance, management of change and security assurance lead the Finance, Planning and Performance function to deliver a business and user- focused, expert and responsive service which partners with the business be an advocate and role model for finance professionalism and credibility ensure that CCS systems and processes align with Government Finance Function best practice manage relationships with National Audit Office (NAO) and Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) as well as play a primary role in managing relationships with HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and other government departments as a senior, qualified accountancy professional, you will be expected to role model professional leadership and play an active role in Government Finance Function activities, leading and acting as an ambassador for the function Essential criteria (Assessment will be based on applications) : qualified with Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB), Certified Investment Management Analysis (CIMA) or equivalent with a proven track record in a senior finance leadership role within a complex organisation exceptional leadership, change management and people management skills, with experience of developing a high performing team and inclusive culture influences confidently at all levels (including board); uses strong analytical skills and has the ability to communicate complex financial positions and simplify into clear, actionable insights trusted senior finance leader and strategic partner, who uses their personal and professional credibility to build and maintain effective working relationships, serving as a key advisor ability to successfully navigate complex governance arrangements and lead multi-disciplinary teams. Excellent political skills and the ability to manage risk and reach sound judgements on a range of strategic and reputational issues Behaviours At the sift/shortlist meeting the panel will review your CV and personal statement and assess your evidence against the essential criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, which will consist of an in-depth discussion on your evidence provided in your CV / personal statement. Additionally, if shortlisted, you will also be assessed on how your answers demonstrate the following behaviours : seeing the big picture communicating and influencing making effective decisions working together The Assessment Panel will consist of: Panel Chair: Tony Poulter, Civil Service Commissioner CCS Vacancy Holder : Sam Ulyatt, Chief Executive Officer CCS representative: Sara Halton, Non-Executive Director Independent Panel Member : Dave Kuenssberg, Home Office What we will offer you, here are some of the benefits you can expect: Competitive salary Generous pension scheme A discretionary non-contractual performance related bonus Working remotely in addition to working in advertised office location Minimum 25 days annual leave to a maximum service related 30 days excluding bank holidays 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 and the Civil ServiceD&I Strategy. We want to make our recruitment process accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you, please contact recruitmentcrowncommercial.gov.uk Contract Type This role is being offered on a permanent basis, with a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise. As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above. Working flexibly, delivering outcomes CCS is a flexible business with a smarter working model where our colleagues benefit from a mix of home and office working. The Successful candidate will be expected to work from one of the office locations listed. Our current office attendance approach requires a minimum of 26 days per quarter (approx 2 days per week, which may be subject to change) in CCS office locations or off site meetings with suppliers, customers, partners, networking / industry events. This is pro rata for those who work part time. Our smarter working principles mean that our people have the advantage of both office and offsite based collaboration and learning, as well as working from home. This way of working allows us to honour our commitment to being a responsible business, offer flexibility and better work life balance as well as ensuring we deliver our business with confidence and in accordance with our CCS values. Selection Process To find out more about our recruitment process please click here Complaints procedure Our recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitmentcrowncommercial.gov.uk in the first instance. If you remain unsatisfied with the response you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission at infocsc.gov.uk