Ministry of Defence Hiring for Finance Operations SEO Job at Lichfield, England Full Time

Are you looking for an opportunity to be actively involved in reshaping the RAF’s vision for the Finance Function in the years ahead?

Our vision is to be a valued Business Partner within Air Command (Air Cmd), influencing and driving decision-making by providing timely, insightful business and finance advice, while ensuring effective governance.

Air Command’s Finance Function is based at RAF High Wycombe, headquarters for the Royal Air Force. The Finance Operations Team, sits within the Director of Resources area of responsibility, interacting with numerous stakeholders across the Command. The team is made up of approximately 50 personnel, divided into 9 sub teams. This SEO post will be responsible for the management and outputs of two teams (Delivery Support Team (DST) and Headquarters Business Management Team (HQ BM)) and will be Line Manager and Reporting Officer to 2x HEOs, 5x EOs and 6x AOs.

We are 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 Continuous Professional Development events.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The Finance Operations Team is responsible for the foundation activities that underpin the Function’s support to, and engagement with, the business. It owns all report production, initial analysis and guards one version of the truth, upon which insightful business decisions can be made.
The team provides a range of services under the following headings:

Financial Accounting
In-Year Management
Business Management
Delivery Support
Management Information

The job being advertised is for the DST and HQBM Leader role. These teams predominantly provide the assurance and scrutiny to enable prompt payment of invoices and in some instances authorising expenditure and advising on regularity and propriety.

The post holder will be responsible for identifying opportunities to drive efficiencies through automation of processes.

Other management responsibilities will include overseeing the following: new supplier accounts; raising invoices; liaising with Defence Business Services (DBS); producing fuel stats; managing the Use of Military Airfields by Civil Aircraft, managing electronic procurement card requests, low value approvals for expenditure in relation to travel and similar requests for the HQ.

Responsibilities also include providing support to the wider Finance Operations and Management Reporting processes for In Year and ABC, assistance with the Non-Core Procurement Programme reducing misc. bills expenditure, assistance with the Headquarters Business Manager Review, automating processes and continuous improvement in terms of process, communication and upskilling the team.

Air Cmd has now adopted new workplace management policies following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, implementing a hybrid working pattern. The postholder will be expected to work at least 2 days per week in the office at RAF High Wycombe. Where feasible, team members are permitted some flexibility for working from home, but without the right to do so.

The post is open for all working patterns but please note that part time or job share may potentially only be considered if full time cover can be achieved.

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

• Leading the DST & HQ BM teams, providing strategic direction.
• Responsible for the wellbeing and development of the wider Fin Ops teams.
• Undertake the regular cycle of people management including dealing with attendance and performance, setting meaningful objectives, awards, recruitment and grievance issues.
• Accountable for the delivery of the team’s outputs, ensuring they are completed efficiently and in line with expectations of quality of service.
• Maintaining a key role in the fuel accounting process, capturing down-route fuel volumes and prices to enable the Financial Accounting team to monitor price variances and deliver an accurate forward forecast.
• A desire to drive the automation of processes, enabling a more efficient service to stakeholders.
• The post holder will be responsible for leading with the Non-Core Procurement Programme (NCP) activity within Air; representing Air at key centre-led NCP meetings, acting as the Air POC and leading activity to drive down NCP spend by March 2023.
• The post holder will be expected to assist a review of the Headquarters Business Manager function, to understand the roles and responsibilities and how this role supports the Finance Function.
• Accountable for key stakeholder engagement and point of contact for escalation and resolution of issues.
• Build and maintain business knowledge, utilising best practice.
• Lead on change and continuous improvement within the team; encouraging more agile ways of working, using visual management and being proactive in getting things done.

In order to deliver these responsibilities, the successful candidate will need to demonstrate experience as follows:

Essential:

• Strong leadership skills with evidence of successfully developing teams.
• A keen eye for detail with evidence of analysing data and identifying errors.
• A proven track record of driving and implementing change.
• Adaptable and willing to review priorities to meet current and future business needs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with evidence of stakeholder management.

• An understanding of how to utilise Project Management tools effectively.

If not already held, the successful candidate will need to attain the MOD Financial Skills Certificate Intermediate level in In-Year Management, within six months of taking up the appointment.

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

• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

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

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

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.

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/.”

Posts based in London will attract the relevant London weighting

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 by 31st December 2022. 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.

Job contact :

Name :
Michelle Rawlinson
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team :

Email :
[email protected]