Overview

Job Purpose: To provide strategic leadership and management of all financial, commercial, and economic activities within the agency. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) ensures robust financial stewardship, effective governance, and value-for-money decision-making, enabling the organisation to achieve its objectives during a period of significant transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance, Commercial, and Economics functions, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and government standards.
• Provide strategic financial guidance to the CEO and Executive Team, supporting spending reviews and fee assessments.
• Lead Executive for the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
• Full member of the Main Board
• Accountable Executive for risk management and corporate assurance
• Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee and Commercial Assurance Panel
• Act as corporate guardian for departmental budgets and efficiency targets, ensuring compliance with Managing Public Money
• Drive continuous improvement in financial operations, systems, and service delivery
• Champion value-for-money and evidence-based decision-making in all major investments and initiatives
• Enhance commercial acumen and embed effective procurement strategies aligned with public sector best practices
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government stakeholders to support sound financial and investment decisions
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of the annual report, accounts, and other statutory reporting

Person Specification

• Experience (Essential)
  • Senior financial leadership in a complex organisation (preferably public sector)
  • Proven track record in financial management and delivering value for money
  • Leading multi-disciplinary teams through change
  • Strategic planning and board-level influence
  • Building and managing diverse stakeholder relationships
  • Shaping and delivering strategic direction
  • Promoting operational and professional excellence
• Skills & Abilities (Essential)
  • Strong, visible, and inclusive leadership at board level
  • Strategic, analytical, and critical thinking
  • Clear communication of complex financial concepts
  • Pragmatic problem-solving and business insight
  • Ability to manage competing priorities in a high-pressure environment
  • Skilled in negotiation and influence in complex settings
  • Sound judgement in risk management
  • Confident and credible strategic planning influence
• Knowledge & Understanding (Essential)
  • Deep knowledge of financial control, reporting, and performance management
  • Strong understanding of Managing Public Money and government functional standards
  • Expertise in high-value, high-risk procurement and emerging markets
  • Understanding of commercial, procurement, and economics functions in a public sector context
• Qualifications
  • Fully qualified accountant (CCAB, CIMA, or equivalent) - Essential
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development - Essential
• Criteria
  • Senior financial leadership in a complex organisation (preferably public sector) Essential
  • Proven track record in financial management and delivering value for money Essential
  • Leading multi-disciplinary teams through change Essential
  • Strategic planning and board-level influence Essential
  • Building and managing diverse stakeholder relationships Essential
  • Shaping and delivering strategic direction Essential
  • Promoting operational and professional excellence Essential
  • Qualified accountant Desirable
  • Public sector experience Desirable
  • Commercial background Desirable
• Skills & Systems Experience
  • Previous Authority Experience Ideally within public sector and complex organizations