Director Finance, Defence Digital

The Director Finance, Defence Digital reports directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and is responsible for all financial, governance and assurance aspects of Defence Digital business, which represents over 60% of the department’s digital spend. In addition, the post holder will ensure that a holistic view of the entire Defence digital spend is maintained in order to provide a clear single functional portfolio that can be planned and executed to ensure cohesion and strategic alignment, strong integration effectiveness and maximum efficiency and economy of scale. The Director Finance leads a team of c135 people, based in London and Corsham.
This is a critical leadership role, working with CIO and with the Commander and the Finance and Capability Directors of UK Strategic Command to deliver a complex programme of work that underpins broader Defence transformation and ensures delivery of some of the most critical digital capability in the UK, + All aspects of the day-to-day management of the finances of Defence Digital (some £3bn annually) and ensuring accurate reporting of the financial position into a consolidated Strategic Command position.
+ Drive action pan-Defence that improves strategic alignment, reduces duplication and increases efficiency of Digital spending across the Department.
+ Act as Senior Finance Officer for Defence Digital in accordance with the delegations set by Commander Strategic Command. This includes chairing the Defence Digital Investment Approvals Board for delegated cases up to £100M, and attending either the Strategic Command or MOD Investment Approvals Committees for non-delegated cases.
+ Direct the in-year financial management and Annual Budgetary Cycle financial planning processes in collaboration with project and capability planning teams in Defence Digital and Strategic Command.
+ Direct financial management and efficiency reviews and cost awareness initiatives.
+ Direct assurance and governance management systems and processes and report to the Strategic Command Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee on their efficacy.
+ Drive the programme of financial functional transformation across Defence Digital (in support of the wider finance function transformation) to ensure that the organisation continues to improve its financial performance (forecasting, costings, reporting and audit), strengthen its assurance and the systems of financial controls.
Leadership
+ As a member of the Defence Digital senior leadership team, the postholder will partner and support the Chief Information Officer in driving the organisation and enabling the wider Digital and IT transformation of Defence.
+ They will be a member of the Strategic Command Finance Committee, and through this (and wider work) will be key in the leadership and further development of the finance function in Defence Digital.
+ Acting as Head of the Finance Function for Defence Digital, the postholder will be responsible for delivering capability and supporting the Ministry of Defence Head of Profession. The postholder will work collaboratively across the department and wider government, as a member of the function.
+ Promote a diverse and inclusive working environment promoting a ONEDEFENCE mindset and Defence values within Defence Digital, Strategic Command, Ministry of Defence and the wider Government Finance Function., + A CV (no more than 2 pages) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
+ A Personal Statement (no more than 2 pages) explaining how your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role.
Both documents are weighted equally in their scoring, so it's important to consider this when uploading your application. Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.
For further information about the role and full application process, please refer to the candidate pack attached below. If you wish to receive any material in a different format for accessibility, then please contact People-CivHR-SCSCandidateSupport@mod.gov.uk.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This role has 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. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. 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.

Security
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.

+ Exceptional leadership credentials with a proven track record of building, developing and continuously improving high performing, diverse and inclusive teams within finance functions. In addition, you will have to demonstrate how you are able to inspire and engage such teams as well as provide strong evidence of having led people through change, working successfully at Board Level.
+ Demonstrable experience of building and maintaining a strong and effective network of collaborative relationships with a range of key senior colleagues, including on sensitive issues or where opinions are divided. You will also need to provide evidence to how you command the confidence and trust of Board Level stakeholders across complex environments.
+ Evidence of strategic thinking, excellent analytical skills and the ability to translate current challenges in order to create and contribute to a culture of innovation, risk management and long-term improvement, using evidence-based strategies to evaluate the full range of options, understand the impacts and get the right solution.
+ Robust financial skills and a proven track record of maximising resource efficiency and driving value for money improvements, whilst providing robust financial support to deliver a large, complex organisation’s strategic outcomes.
+ Must hold the relevant Professional Qualification - Qualified accountant with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent and experience in a relevant senior financial management role including the planning and management of large-scale projects.

+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%