Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Walter's Ash, South East England, HP14 4UE About the job Job summary Finance Business Partner Lead, Air and Space Commander Are you a positive, organised, and proactive individual who is seeking an exciting role within a busy and fast-moving Finance function? Do you have a passion for leading, developing and supporting people, driving continuous improvement and the application of new technologies? If so, then we have an opportunity to join our large, diverse and inclusive Air Finance team supporting the Royal Air Force at HQ Air Command, RAF High Wycombe We are looking for an experienced financier to be a part of the Air Finance SLT and lead our Air and Space Commander Finance Business Partner team. The right candidate will be keen to work in Defence, have a willingness to work hard, gain knowledge and support senior leaders in the RAF and UK Space Command. Ideally, applicants should hold a full professional accountancy qualification (CCAB or equivalent at Level 7) to complement substantial finance experience. We will also consider applications from experienced part-qualified Level 7 accountants on condition they complete their qualification within 18 months of appointment. Air Command Headquarters is an attractive place to work. Located in the Chilterns village of Walters Ash, there are good public transport links with regular bus services to/from Aylesbury and High Wycombe as well as free car parking on site. A café, small shop and subsidised gym are available to all staff and meals may be taken in the Officers Mess. Most staff are operating a hybrid pattern of working from home and in the office, noting that business requirements will govern attendance. This will include travel to MoD Main Building in Central London as well as occasional travel to other MoD establishments nationally. In line with the Civil Service Hybrid Working policy, all Air Finance team members are expected to attend either their main duty office (in this case RAF High Wycombe) or another MoD site for 60% of their contracted hours, on average. This position is full time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Job description The Finance Transformation Programme has delivered significant improvements to the Financial Management of Air Command since its conception in 2017. We have introduced a new Finance functional structure, built new capability, and delivered automated Financial Management Information alongside expanding Budget Accountability, Delegation and Empowerment across Air Command. Further work was done in 2023 to establish the Finance Management and Reporting team, which manages the reporting cycle and transactions, allowing Finance Business Partners (FBPs) to concentrate on their primary role supporting budget holders and their teams. The role is challenging and high-profile but enables the individual to have access to the highest levels of strategic thinking and decision making in Air Command and the Royal Air Force. A flexible approach to work is essential to ensure team outputs are produced to time and quality. You will report to the Head of Finance, Ian Baker, who in turn reports to the Director of Resources for Air Command, James Freemantle. This post is one of two G6-FBP Lead roles, working alongside the four other G6 postholders that form, with the Head of Finance, the Air Finance Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The FBP Lead, Air and Space Commander (ASC) is supported by five G7 sub-team leaders, covering the responsibilities of the ASC in the Air Command Structure. In your role you will be expected to undertake the following specific tasks: Leading your team and providing strategic direction for the Finance function. Actively manage the talent and career paths of all direct reports, providing support for all to be successful in their roles. Being accountable for the delivery of the finance business partner service for the ASC and their teams, ensuring it is delivered in an efficient and cost-effective way, whilst meeting expectations of a high quality of service. Building and maintaining technical knowledge and sharing good practice across Finance. Using this knowledge to drive continuous improvement and high performance. Being accountable for key stakeholder relationships and acting as a point of escalation to resolve any issues. Person specification Essential Experience: It is essential for the successful applicant to be able to demonstrate in the application form and at interview: Strong leadership skills with evidence of successfully managing and developing teams. The ability to collaborate and be self-motivated as well as work in an environment of change and ambiguity. Being adaptable and willing to review priorities to meet the current and future needs of the business and the teams. Sound financial competence and appropriate technical expertise. Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of working with a wide range of senior people. Evidence of good stakeholder management and engagement skills. A flexible approach to work is crucial to ensure team outputs are produced to time and quality Qualifications: Ideally you will be a fully-qualified accountant, CCAB or equivalent (Level 7, e.g. CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA). We will consider applications from suitably experienced Level 7 part-qualified candidates on condition that they will complete their qualification within 18 months of appointment. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Changing and Improving Leadership Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Benefits Alongside your salary of £70,540, Ministry of Defence contributes £20,435 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Benefits include, but are not limited to: Flexible working Training and personal development opportunities A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity 25 days paid annual leave rising to 30 days on completion of 5 years service In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The Kings birthday A highly competitive Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97% Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave Subsidised membership to a fitness suite and lunchtime/evening Military led fitness classes Café 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Please present your evidence using the S.T.A.R. format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) Applicants are strongly advised to ensure that their submission uses the STAR format and demonstrates the behaviours detailed at G6 level in the Civil Service Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours booklet. Comprehensive coverage on Success Profiles can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles A 500-word statement of suitability and CV will be required for this position; this cannot be uploaded to the advert. You will submit using the CV template provided on the CS Jobs dashboard, detailing job history, full qualifications, previous experience and skills. You will be assessed against the following behaviours at application and interview: Changing & Improving Leadership Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected. At interview you will also be required to do a 5-minute presentation on what your plans and priorities would be for the first 30 days in the role. Successful candidates will be invited for a panel interview via the Civil Service Jobs website. Part-time or Job-share will only be considered provided full time hours can be covered. A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. 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 developed vetting (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 Open to UK nationals only. 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). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. 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 : Name : Ian Baker, Head of Finance Email : ian.baker107mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: infocsc.gov.uk. Attachments 20230201 - Air Command's Applicant Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 499kB) Defence Civil Servant Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB) MOD Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB) Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (docx, 31kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail