Job summary
Location: Frequent attendance at RAF High Wycombe will be required with an expectation of visiting other MOD locations as necessary.
The Air Command Finance Business Partners are trusted partners in Royal Air Force strategic decision making. We use our understanding of the RAF�s strategic goals, plans and objectives to provide appropriate financial advice to enable informed strategic decision making within Defence.
You will be joining a team providing advice and accurate insight on management information for RAF Budget Holders and supporting sound financial management across the RAFs c�8bn annual budget. You will be collaborating across functional boundaries, utilising your understanding of the broader strategic Defence context to ensure that the Royal Air Force is able to deliver the air and space power necessary to protect our nation.
For over a hundred years the Royal Air Force has defended the skies of Britain and projected Britain�s power and influence around the world. We work with our UK and international partners to watch the skies, respond to threats, prevent conflict, and provide assistance in an uncertain world. This is a unique opportunity for a finance professional to be an integral part of that heritage and the RAF�s future.
You will sit as a member of the Air Finance Leadership Team, contributing to the overall management of the Finance Function. This will include maintaining the Function�s focus on a vision that delivers valued Finance services to the RAF and maintaining a culture of continuous improvement.
We are looking for an experienced finance professional with an interest in working in Defence, a willingness to work hard and gain knowledge to support the RAF�s senior leaders. You will manage a team of SEOs and you must have a professional accountancy qualification (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent) to complement your substantial finance experience, or have made substantial progress towards a professional accountancy qualification.
We offer a friendly and supportive environment to work in, flexible working policies and several subsidies and Civil Service benefits. These include, but are not limited to, generous holiday entitlement, contributory pensions scheme, a subsidised gym and a small shop and caf� on site. For those who wish to progress there are development opportunities in the wider Ministry of Defence and across the wider Civil Service.
The position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
Responsibilities
In your role as a Senior Finance Business Partner you will:�
1. Lead and provide strategic direction for your team and Air Finance.
2. Actively manage the talent and career paths of all direct reports, providing support for all to be successful in their roles.
3. Be an expert partner to the senior RAF commanders, having a seat at the table in decision making forums to ensure financial implications are considered from the outset.
4. Provide strategic financial support to Budget Holders on their financial position to inform decision making, including through leading monthly financial reviews and supporting holding to account sessions.
5. Support budget holders on strategic, long term 10-year financial planning.
6. Proactively engage with stakeholders to assure business cases, and support Accounting Officer assessments � regularity, propriety, feasibility and value for money.
7. Support budget holders to understand their responsibilities under HM Treasury�s Managing Public Money, including in relation to governance and control.
8. Develop and maintain key stakeholder relationships and act as a point of escalation to resolve any issues.
9. Maintain a flexible approach to work, to ensure team outputs are produced to time and quality.
10. Build and maintain technical knowledge of good practice across Finance and use this knowledge to drive high performance and continuous improvement.
11. Drive a culture of process automation, where possible eliminating manual activities and providing a more effective service to internal and external clients.
Person specification
It is essential for the successful applicant to be able to demonstrate the following:
12. Strong leadership skills with evidence of successfully managing teams.
13. A team player and self-starter with the ability to work in a culture of change, being adaptable and willing to review priorities to meet the current and future needs to the team.
14. Extensive accountancy and financial management experience including a professional accountancy qualification (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent), or substantial progress towards qualification.
15. Strong communication skills with a track record of working successfully with a wide range of senior stakeholders.
You will report to a Grade 6 Lead Finance Business Partner, who in turn reports to the Senior Civil Service 1*, Air Command Head of Finance.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
16. Seeing the Big Picture
17. Leadership
18. Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �57,670, Ministry of Defence contributes �16,706 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Benefits include, but are not limited to:
19. Flexible working
20. Training and personal development opportunities
21. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
22. 25 days paid annual leave rising to 30 days on completion of 5 years� service
23. In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King�s birthday
24. A highly competitivewith an average employer contribution of
25. Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
26. Subsidised membership to a fitness suite and lunchtime/evening Military led fitness classes
27. Caf� and shop on site
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.� This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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 .
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