As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We’re an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. But it’s where we go next that makes things really interesting. In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won’t become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring. That’s where you come in. Because we can’t do this without you. Job Overview Salary: £61,000 Contract: Permanent Grade: Grade 7 / G Closing date: 11th February 2025 at midnight Are you an experienced financial professional with a flair for strategic thinking and a passion for driving business success? We are seeking a dynamic Finance Business Partner to join our talented team and play a pivotal role in shaping the financial future of our organization. The role: Operating within the management accounting team, as a Finance Business Partner, you will act as the link between finance and the business, using your expertise to support, advise and challenge stakeholders on issues such as affordability, risk and compliance with government standards. The organisation: The National Archives are a non-ministerial department, and the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, and for England and Wales. We are the guardians of over 1,000 years of iconic national documents. We are expert advisers in information and records management and we work with partner across the cultural, academic and heritage sectors. We fulfil a leadership role for the archive sector and work to secure the future of physical and digital records. We collect and secure the future of the government record, from Shakespeare’s will to tweets from Downing Street, to preserve it for generations to come. This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time. How to apply: To submit your application please click the 'Apply' button on this page. You will be asked to provide details of your work experience and write a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section. We understand that you might use artificial intelligence (AI) and other resources to assist with your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn’t include ideas or work that isn’t your own. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice. Essential Criteria: Responsive and adaptable, you will be able to apply previous experience to proactively consider options in response to challenges, offer solutions, and make timely and effective decisions. You'll be highly motivated and an effective organiser, which will allow you to work fluidly in a fast paced environment, remaining flexible at all times. Your natural communication skills, will mean that you are confident in coaching and supporting others. Your ability to quickly build meaningful and trusting relationships with your colleagues and stakeholders regardless of their seniority allows you to influence and challenge where necessary. You will have a CCAB finance qualification. Significant experience in communicating complex financial issues to enable individuals with little financial knowledge to understand the key messages. Significant experience of leading on financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting. Extensive experience of maintaining effective relationships to understand senior stakeholder/colleagues’ needs and priorities Demonstrable experience of reviewing business cases and/or investment appraisal. Excellent excel skills. Desirable criteria: An understanding of accounting policy and an appreciation of the implications for an organisation of Government legislation and accounting standards Job Description The role: • Providing sound financial advice and management to the Directorates. Including reviewing business cases, papers to Governance Committees and policy proposals, to ensure that the financial implications have been properly considered, are affordable and recommendations reflect good Value for Money. • Presenting financial information to Senior Management Teams on a regular basis. Communicating complex financial issues to internal and external stakeholders, enabling individuals with little financial knowledge to understand key messages. • Understanding the business - Developing a full understanding of the policies and cost drivers of the Directorates’ spend ensuring they are managed and monitored effectively to meet business plans and objectives. • Leading on month-end and year-end activities, working autonomously to ensure that the management information for your area of responsibility is accurate and correct. • Challenging and supporting Directors and Budget Managers in managing spend on a portfolio basis. Recognising potential risk and opportunities and identifying solutions to manage them. • Leading on financial planning and forecasting exercises, supporting and providing constructive challenge to business areas when identifying their funding requirements in-year and going forward. This will include working on significant fiscal events such as Spending Reviews. • Building relationships with stakeholders across the business and in other support functions e.g. HR, commercial, to understand their needs and priorities. • You will work with your Directorates and the wider finance team to promote and realise the benefits of our new ERP system. 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 Service D&I Strategy. Benefits Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per calendar year (rising to 26 days after 2 year’s service, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum. Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk ; (opens in new window) Selection process details Reasonable adjustments If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact The National Archives via careersnationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ section of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks. (opens in new window) Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in new window) relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals Further information on nationality requirements (opens in new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in 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 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. This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. (opens in new window) Contact point for applicants Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team Email: careersnationalarchives.gov.uk Further information If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careersnationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/ (opens in new window)