Location
Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, Salford
The Role and Our Team
The Matrix Programme is a transformation initiative involving 9 Departments (listed at end). It is a unique cross-government collaboration that will unlock simpler, better, and more joined up working by bringing together the systems, processes, and ways of working for key government functions such as HR, Finance or Procurement, commonly known as Shared Services.
The Programme team is passionate about improving the existing shared services experience for DSIT and its partners whilst working to deliver the strategic objectives of the Government Shared Services Strategy.
We will deliver the Government's three overarching objectives for shared services:
1. Better experience for all users - intuitive systems that are easy to use and mobile-enabled.
2. Efficiency and value for money - better systems and services which support productivity and seek to reduce costs.
3. Standardised processes and data - support interoperability, making it easier to understand and compare corporate data.
Departments forming the Matrix Programme: Cabinet Office (CO), Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), Department for Business Trade (DBT), Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Department for Education (DfE), Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), Attorney’s General Office (AGO) and His Majesty's Treasury (HMT).
Person Specification
Key Responsibilities
The role is Head of the Matrix finance team, responsible for embedding robust financial management, providing value for money assurance to the SRO and board and leading on the finance contribution to the Programme Business Case. Whilst being based in DSIT, the team will have regular engagement with representatives from all the 9 Matrix departments. Therefore, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to the workings of Government. The programme is in the process of developing the third iteration of its Programme Business Case, that outlines the case for the Matrix programme. We are now looking to recruit an experienced and ambitious Grade 6 to lead the production of the finance case for our next iteration (which will occur in 2025), to finalise outstanding elements of our current business case, and to further develop the future finance function of the Programme. The post holder will line manage two G7 roles with a further 2 SEO roles within the team.
Key Responsibilities also include but are not limited to:
* Leading the finance team, providing strategic steer and building capability
* Finance Business Partner and Strategic Finance functions
* Lead on the production of the finance section of the business case, including inputting into the benefits case, identifying finance and governance implications of commercial products, and ensuring a close working relationship with other work streams.
* Assessing accounting implications in accordance with international financial reporting standards and central government accounting rules.
* Engaging across the Matrix community to build support for PBC3, understanding and addressing any challenges arising.
* Support on the production of AO advice and assessments
* Overseeing the implementation and administration of protocols/processes/controls for the Matrix programmes financial management, aligning it to DSIT financial management standards.
* Oversee the month end management accounts process coordinating inputs across the 9 Departments.
* Build and maintain successful partnerships with Department Leads and their Finance Functions across the Matrix cluster.
* Create and maintain credibility with senior stakeholders, presenting at Executive Team level, leading the conversation, and influencing decision making.
Skills and Experience
Essential Criteria
* Leading the team by setting clear direction, empowering, inspiring and motivating team members
* Experience of operating in a changing, uncertain environment due to the unique nature of the cross-department programme
* Working collaboratively across organisational boundaries with colleagues from different backgrounds to deliver shared outcomes.
* The ability to analyse and communicate complex financial information in a clear and understandable way.
* Full accountancy qualification under one of the main five Consultative Committees of Accounting Bodies [CCAB] i.e., ACCA; CIPFA; ICAEW; ICAI or ICAS, or CIMA
* Excellent financial management skills and a proven ability to apply them effectively.
* Experience of establishing high credibility with senior colleagues and stakeholders and the ability to influence decision-making.
* Ability to coordinate several tasks simultaneously. Well-developed skills in prioritising, organisation, decision making, time management, and verbal/written communication skills.
Desirable Criteria
* Experience of working on a transformation programme, preferably in the digital space
* An understanding of cross-government finance priorities, often using internal and external networks to gain insight.
* Experience of the business case process from a finance perspective
* Experience of undertaking procurement
* Experience of Cross Government working
Qualifications
Full accountancy qualification under one of the main five Consultative Committees of Accounting Bodies [CCAB] i.e. ACCA; CIPFA; ICAEW; ICAI or ICAS, or CIMA
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace and Changing and Improving.
This post also attracts an Accountancy allowance of £4700 per annum, for qualified accountants. Subject to proof of CCAB or equivalent accounting qualification.
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