Finance Business Partner

DWP is one of the largest Departments in Whitehall, managing the delivery of benefit payments to citizens totalling over £200bn annually. As a Finance Professional in Government, your role is to protect public funds and add vale through finance assurance activities.

The Financial Management and Partnering Directorate support the business to develop credible multi-year plans that deliver business objectives, supported by robust financial forecasts. We also work with the business to ensure that financial matters are considered in long-term policy and service delivery decisions.

Financial Management and Partnering is organised into teams supporting each of the DWP Director Generals. This vacancy is for various roles in these teams.

Places for Growth and Social Mobility

As part of the Places for Growth Programme, we are committed to delivering a more geographically diverse Civil and Public Service that will better serve the public and ministers. As part of this initiative, we are continuously reviewing how we recruit into each location.

Postings

Posting will be made in merit order by location, this will be based on the geographical requirement at the time. A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve list candidates will be posted in merit order by location. Successful candidates will be posted to a specific role and will have the opportunity to express a preference as part of the selection process, although final decisions may come down to business need, and the skills and development needs of candidates. Standard promotion rules will apply, and successful candidates will be placed on the pay scale and terms and conditions of DWP. The roles available will be based in:

• Birmingham 3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham B1 2AX
• Blackpool Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES
• Leeds – Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7UA.
• Manchester – 2 St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3AA.
• Newcastle – Benton Park View, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1BA.
• Sheffield – Hartshead Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2FD.

Travel will be required.

As a key member of the finance team, the finance business partner will provide leadership as well as professional, evidence-based decision making support, challenge and advice.

 You will need to:

• Build and maintain key relationships, developing trust and managing the expectation of senior managers and stakeholders.
• Develop a good understanding of the business, seeking opportunities to understand project, commercial and operational drivers.
• Provide timely, accurate and clearly communicated financial management information and analysis to support decision making.
• Support and challenge the business to develop accurate and affordable multi-year financial forecasts and plans.
• Working closely with leads on projects, policies and programmes to ensure sound business cases are developed and monitored with risk management, internal control and governance procedures followed.   
• Lead a small business partner team to ensure effective support and advice to the business. Engage with other finance teams to identify and pursue opportunities for continuous improvement.

Hybrid working

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

This role can only be delivered from the UK. 

The candidate will meet the following essential criteria:

• Full professional qualification awarded by a CCAB recognised accounting body (eg. ACCA, CIPFA, ICAEW or CIMA) and hold full membership of that body.
• Excellent inter-personal, communication, relationship building and influencing skills. The professional and personal credibility to operate as a finance leader and advisor, generating confidence in stakeholders.
• Demonstrate sound working knowledge of the key principles of financial management. Ability to identify and evaluate financial and business information to inform business decisions with a clear view of the financial implications.
• Proven ability to communicate complex financial information to a non-financial audience, including the production of high-quality financial reports and briefings.
• A strong track record of delivering at pace and prioritising workload. The ability to deliver through others and maintain professional standards in the face of pressure.  

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : Michael Brown
• Email : michael.brown6@dwp.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk