RAF – Finance Manager – Financial Management Reporting

Are you a positive and proactive individual who is looking for an exciting role within a fast-paced function? If so, then we want you to join our inclusive Air Finance team at RAF High Wycombe!

The Air Finance Team consists of three functional areas; Finance Business Partners, Specialist Services and Finance Operations, which all sit within the Director of Resources area of responsibility, interacting with numerous stakeholders across the Command.

This recruitment is for 2 Senior Executive Management positions within the Finance Operations Delivery team.

The team is made up of approximately 60 personnel, divided into 14 sub teams.

These posts offer the opportunity to build upon financial, communicating and influencing and leadership skills whilst working as part of a large, friendly and flexible team. We are looking for proactive individuals to produce timely and robust financial information and inform recommendations to Senior management. Job holders will be required to liaise with stakeholders including wider finance colleagues (Civilian and Military), RAF Stations and Units and Senior Managers; therefore, proven communication skills are essential.

Professional Finance qualifications are not essential. Air Command is building a learning culture within the Function and your continued development is important to us, therefore support may be available for you, to undertake further appropriate qualifications or attend CPD events.

We are based at Headquarters Air Command at RAF High Wycombe; an attractive place to work, located in the 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.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week with an expectation to attend the office on a weekly basis. A reserve list will be created to allocate individuals to any additional roles that become vacant over the next 12 months.

Finance Operations is responsible for conducting all foundation financial activities regarding Air Command through owning report production and initial financial analysis. The team provide an efficient and effective In-Year Management (IYM) and Annual Budget Cycle (ABC) reporting function across Air Command units.

Key responsibilities for these posts include:

• Proactively lead and manage several multi-grade teams including refining team processes, establishing a battle rhythm and conducting effective planning to ensure delivery of high-quality reporting to internal stakeholders.
• Assure team outputs through effective task and people management.
• Maintain an oversight of financial information activity at a strategic level, ensuring all deadlines are met.
• Consolidate and report the financial position to Finance Business Partners (FBP) and the Corporate Reporting Team, for Air Command Top Level Budget (TLB) Management Groups.
• Maintain links with stakeholders through a strong customer focus, providing key support and guidance, developing, and improving the process for feedback, ensuring customer satisfaction rates remain high.

Provide ongoing support to Finance Business Partners to enable them to convert financial information into a story for Budget Holders, to assist with decision making.

It is essential that the successful applicant can:

• Build effective relationships and manage engagement across a wide range of both internal and external teams.
• Work flexibly in a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment.
• Communicate effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders, covering complex processes and financial information.
• Display strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Work confidently and effectively in Microsoft Excel.

It is desirable that the successful applicant has:

• Previous experience in a finance role.

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

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 King’s birthday
• A highly competitive Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Subsidised membership to a fitness suite and lunchtime/evening Military led fitness classes
• Café and shop on site

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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 

Job contact :

• Name : Michelle Rawlinson
• Email : Michelle.Rawlinson291@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : 0300 165 1996

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk