Deputy Director, Consumers, Industry and Networks Finance

The Role and Directorate

This is one of two Deputy Director business partnering roles within the Finance Directorate. You will partner three DGs (Net Zero Buildings and Industry, Energy Markets and Supply and Energy Infrastructure). Broadly these are areas where we are trying to deliver change in partnership with consumers and business, such as adopting insulation or heat pumps, and through private sector investment e.g. renewables and grid infrastructure. The other DD focuses on our largest capital programmes, international and innovation work, e.g. new nuclear and carbon capture and storage.

You will develop close relationships with the business units, being seen as a peer, trusted and influencing. You will work seamlessly with other corporate colleagues, notably in analysis and delivery, to provide a coherent view. You will also build strong, collaborative relationships with HMT which deliver for the government and withstand the inevitable stresses of financial negotiations. The role can be intense, particularly during Budgets and Spending Reviews; whilst preparation can mitigate this to an extent, some long hours working is inevitable at these times.

Alongside you in the directorate are three other divisions: the other business partnering division just mentioned; the Efficiency, Corporate and Reporting division which drives efficiency, partners corporate services, and provides our financial accounting and reporting; and the Strategic Finance division which manages our finances overall. Close working between the divisions is essential to deliver the best outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure SROs for policies and programmes receive excellent financial advice such that DESNZ programmes are likely to succeed: meet strategic objectives, well-planned and governed, deliverable, value for money, affordable and correctly accounted for.
• Provide the Accounting Officer with clear, balanced and pragmatic advice where action or inaction by the department presents a significant risk to his duties.
• Ensure key financial / HMT issues are brought out, understood, escalated if necessary, and resolved, including liaising and negotiating with HMT
• Improve the business’ ability to plan and forecast accurately, with clarity of the connection between finance and delivery of outputs and outcomes
• Work with other professions, notably analysis and delivery, to provide the best, integrated expert advice
• Ensure your diverse team is engaged, motivated and delivering at its best, with a commitment to continuous improvement
• Play a full role in the Finance Directorate’s Senior Leadership Team and wider Government Finance Function. This will include providing duty cover for emergencies as part of a rota.

It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

• A track record of providing excellent advice at pace to secure effective delivery and value for money for the public.
• Building strong collaborative relationships at senior levels which deliver good outcomes even when objectives may be in conflict (e.g. when negotiating over cuts).
• Outstanding ability to communicate (orally and written) a complex financial picture with clarity and accuracy to the most senior decision-makers, and building this capability in the department.
• Ability to be on top of the financial detail, e.g. that the numbers are always right, ensure that complex budgeting / financial rules imposed by HMT are complied with.
• Ability to develop and lead a diverse and high-performing team, building professional capability to deliver results both in the short and long term.
• High level of resilience, managing ambiguity and challenge whilst working at pace and under pressure.

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

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

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.

Job contact :

• Name : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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