Senior Product Manager, Finance and Commercial

The Matrix Programme is a transformation initiative involving the Cabinet Office, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Education, the Department for Health and Social Care, the Attorney’s General Office and the HM Treasury.

The programme will deliver a high quality, good value HR and Finance system and support service for DCMS, in collaboration with our partners across government.

The DCMS Matrix Programme, based in our Digital, Data and Technology directorate, is a team of multidisciplinary professionals, who are working closely together with other government departments in the cluster and in partnership with the DCMS corporate centre to drive transformation of the HR, Finance and Commercial back-office.

We’re a friendly and motivated team, with a passion for excellent service delivery and optimised systems that enable DCMS to be data-driven and strategic in it’s important role across government.

You will be able to combine project management skills with a strong level of finance expertise, experience, and leadership. As the Senior Product Manager, Finance and Commercial you will be responsible for owning and leading a portfolio of critical activities, across a number of key finance process areas in readiness for the design and implementation of the new technology and shared services solution.

You will be an advocate for Matrix, the changes the programme is looking to deliver, and be responsible for building and maintaining strong working relationships with Functional Leads, Process Owners, and the SME community across the department. 

You will provide visible and effective leadership, working with the programme team and functional leaders to develop a clear vision for the finance service and system. You will lead a small team of Business Analysts to recommend and implement changes. 

Drawing upon your knowledge and experience, you will be responsible for DCMS’s finance and commercial policy and process convergence, design, testing and deployment of the new system. You’ll provide expert advice regarding systems and technology to stakeholders.

You will maintain and facilitate the implementation of plans across finance, taking into account the impacts for different groups of users. You’ll work with Change and Engagement centres of excellence to plan and develop our change activities.

You’ll have a sharp eye for detail, remaining aware of user needs and be confident in your ability to represent them in cross government forums. You will also be able to step out of the detail and retain the ability to see the big picture, maintaining a collaborative mindset.

You’ll ensure outcomes are aligned with our service vision and future  strategy by understanding and articulating the gap between the current and future state.

You will implement and champion the use of best practice standards, tools and processes. You will build strong networks both internally and externally to facilitate change.

You will lead on identifying potential consequences (including benefits and disbenefits) of changes for finance. You will validate and update our business readiness criteria, and ensure that stakeholders are aware and involved before implementation.

The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience

Essential Requirements

• Knowledge of a range of project management techniques and use of project management tools.
• Understanding of the Shared Service Strategy for Government and wider cross government programmes within.
• Working in a fast-paced environment by proactively managing and prioritising competing demands to meet challenging and changing deadlines.
• Qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent demonstrable experience and evidence of delivery in a Finance specialism. This will be underpinned by a broad understanding of the finance taxonomy.
• Strong inspirational and inclusive leadership skills and the ability to role model positive behaviours.

Desirable Skills

• Demonstrable experience of meeting the needs of users across a variety of channels.
• Ability to influence a wide network of stakeholders with experience of influencing senior stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
• Be a confident facilitator, taking onboard the views of a range of stakeholders and making decisions that align to a common goal.
• Understanding and awareness of cloud technology products.

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

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working – DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home. 
• 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service.
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 3 days of paid volunteering leave. 
• Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave.
• Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year. 
• Occupational sick pay.
• Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks.
• Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work.
• Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!

Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.

Job contact :

• Name : George Stottor
• Email : george.stottor1@dcms.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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