Finance Business Partner Lead, Air and Space Commander

at  Ministry of Defence

FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNER LEAD, AIR AND SPACE COMMANDER

Are you a positive, organised, and proactive individual who is seeking an exciting role within a busy and fast-moving Finance function? Do you have a passion for leading, developing and supporting people, driving continuous improvement and the application of new technologies? If so, then we have an opportunity to join our large, diverse and inclusive Air Finance team supporting the Royal Air Force at HQ Air Command, RAF High Wycombe!
We are looking for an experienced financier to be a part of the Air Finance SLT and lead our Air and Space Commander Finance Business Partner team. The right candidate will be keen to work in Defence, have a willingness to work hard, gain knowledge and support senior leaders in the RAF and UK Space Command. Ideally, applicants should hold a full professional accountancy qualification (CCAB or equivalent at Level 7) to complement substantial finance experience. We will also consider applications from experienced part-qualified Level 7 accountants on condition they complete their qualification within 18 months of appointment.
Air Command Headquarters is an attractive place to work. Located in the Chilterns village of Walter’s 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. A café, small shop and subsidised gym are available to all staff and meals may be taken in the Officers’ Mess.
Most staff are operating a hybrid pattern of working from home and in the office, noting that business requirements will govern attendance. This will include travel to MoD Main Building in Central London as well as occasional travel to other MoD establishments nationally.
In line with the Civil Service Hybrid Working policy, all Air Finance team members are expected to attend either their main duty office (in this case RAF High Wycombe) or another MoD site for 60% of their contracted hours, on average.
This position is full time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Finance Transformation Programme has delivered significant improvements to the Financial Management of Air Command since its conception in 2017. We have introduced a new Finance functional structure, built new capability, and delivered automated Financial Management Information alongside expanding Budget Accountability, Delegation and Empowerment across Air Command. Further work was done in 2023 to establish the Finance Management and Reporting team, which manages the reporting cycle and transactions, allowing Finance Business Partners (FBPs) to concentrate on their primary role supporting budget holders and their teams.
The role is challenging and high-profile but enables the individual to have access to the highest levels of strategic thinking and decision making in Air Command and the Royal Air Force. A flexible approach to work is essential to ensure team outputs are produced to time and quality. You will report to the Head of Finance, Ian Baker, who in turn reports to the Director of Resources for Air Command, James Freemantle.
This post is one of two G6-FBP Lead roles, working alongside the four other G6 postholders that form, with the Head of Finance, the Air Finance Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
The FBP Lead, Air and Space Commander (ASC) is supported by five G7 sub-team leaders, covering the responsibilities of the ASC in the Air Command Structure.

In your role you will be expected to undertake the following specific tasks:

• Leading your team and providing strategic direction for the Finance function.
• Actively manage the talent and career paths of all direct reports, providing support for all to be successful in their roles.
• Being accountable for the delivery of the finance business partner service for the ASC and their teams, ensuring it is delivered in an efficient and cost-effective way, whilst meeting expectations of a high quality of service.
• Building and maintaining technical knowledge and sharing good practice across Finance. Using this knowledge to drive continuous improvement and high performance.
• Being accountable for key stakeholder relationships and acting as a point of escalation to resolve any issues.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE:

It is essential for the successful applicant to be able to demonstrate in the application form and at interview:

• Strong leadership skills with evidence of successfully managing and developing teams.
• The ability to collaborate and be self-motivated as well as work in an environment of change and ambiguity.
• Being adaptable and willing to review priorities to meet the current and future needs of the business and the teams.
• Sound financial competence and appropriate technical expertise.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of working with a wide range of senior people.
• Evidence of good stakeholder management and engagement skills.
• A flexible approach to work is crucial to ensure team outputs are produced to time and quality

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ideally you will be a fully-qualified accountant, CCAB or equivalent (Level 7, e.g. CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA). We will consider applications from suitably experienced Level 7 part-qualified candidates on condition that they will complete their qualification within 18 months of appointment.

BEHAVIOURS

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

• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £70,540, Ministry of Defence contributes £20,435 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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 28.97%
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Subsidised membership to a fitness suite and lunchtime/evening Military led fitness classes
• Café and shop on site

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
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.
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Things you need to know

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

Open to UK nationals only.

In your role you will be expected to undertake the following specific tasks:

• Leading your team and providing strategic direction for the Finance function.
• Actively manage the talent and career paths of all direct reports, providing support for all to be successful in their roles.
• Being accountable for the delivery of the finance business partner service for the ASC and their teams, ensuring it is delivered in an efficient and cost-effective way, whilst meeting expectations of a high quality of service.
• Building and maintaining technical knowledge and sharing good practice across Finance. Using this knowledge to drive continuous improvement and high performance.
• Being accountable for key stakeholder relationships and acting as a point of escalation to resolve any issues