Leadership
All Finance Directors are expected to lead and develop a respected and collaborative professional team, which commands credibility at all levels and promotes a culture of finance-based decision making and value for money across the organisation.
They must ensure that their Department adheres to the principles of Managing Public Money and that the Accounting Officer's position is considered in all relevant decisions.
They are an integral part of the senior executive/leadership team within the organisation and will be a part of the Government Finance Function senior leadership network, leading, promoting and supporting the development of the GFF.
From Inside Finance
This role may be suitable for individuals at SCS1 or SCS2 with strong relationship building, numeracy and analytical skills and strategic thinking
From outside Finance
This role is not suitable for non-finance professionals
Essential:
| Subheadings | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Core | Responsible for protecting and supporting the Accounting Officer, ensuring appropriate regularity, propriety and stewardship in line with the requirements set out in Managing Public Money. |
Providing consistent, accurate, robust, timely and relevant financial monitoring, forecasts and value-added analysis to support better management of resources and more effective decision making. | |
Responsible for taking decisions and making recommendations on organisation's finances. Makes informed and trustworthy judgements through taking account of relevant context and making use of expertise and experience. | |
| Leadership | The post holder will be an important member of the corporate leadership of the Department. |
The post holder will need to exercise leadership across a broad range of corporate responsibilities that connect to Finance within the Department. | |
Leadership of the function that delivers a business and user-focussed, expert and responsive service which partners with the business, balancing Departmental perspectives with an understanding of local delivery priorities and pressures | |
An advocate and role model for finance professionalism and credibility. | |
| Government Finance Function | Ensures that Departmental structures and systems align with GFF best practice. |
As a senior, qualified accountancy professional, the post holder will be expected to role model professional leadership and play an active role in GFF activities, leading and acting as an ambassador for the function. |
For details of Behaviours read theSuccess Profiles guidance on GOV.UK.
Leadership
Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Developing Self and Others
Changing and Improving
A strong leader, seen as a role model who inspires others across the function, with a proven track record of senior finance leadership gained within a complex organisation and a proven ability to build and motivate supportive, inclusive and high performing teams.
Influences confidently at board level, and throughout the organisation; uses strong analytical skills and the ability to add insight to communicate complex financial positions clearly and compellingly; and as a leader building this capability within the finance function and across the Department.
Reputationally known as a trusted senior finance leader, who uses their personal and professional credibility to build and maintain effective working relationships, make an impact on senior stakeholders and become a key advisor and partner.
Promotes consistent excellence and a continuous improvement approach in the team's output, whilst balancing working at pace to manage a full workload with conflicting short and long-term priorities.
Challenges effectively and with confidence to ensure delivery of excellent outcomes and protect the organisation's position.
Ability to successfully navigate complex governance arrangements and lead multi-disciplinary teams to deliver results. Developing and inspiring an inclusive and effective culture and values across the organisation.
Excellent political skills including the ability to understand and operate within complex, evolving and ambiguous environments, to manage risk and reach sound judgements on a range of strategic and reputational issues.
Actively promotes, develops and motivates diverse teams, managing talent, developing individuals within teams and across the function, programme of succession planning.
Key for Levels of Professional Skills
A = Awareness
W = Working
P = Practitioner
E = Expert
| Professional Skills | Level | Learning Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic analysis and insight | E | |
| Drafting skills | P | |
| Communication and Influencing | E | |
| Presentation Skills | P |
| Subheadings | Qualifications |
|---|---|
| Essential | |
A substantial track record of success in a senior finance leadership role in a fast-moving finance area in a highly complex, customer focused organisation. This should include a highly effective track record of interpreting financial information to help shape and influence organisational strategy. |
The following learning and development opportunities may benefit current and aspiring Finance Leaders.
Civil Service Leadership Academy
The Civil Service Leadership Academy is designed and delivered by experts from within the CSLA team and experienced Senior Civil Service (SCS) leaders. Their approach to learning focuses on bringing leaders together from across the Civil Service to share experiences and expertise.
Programmes, workshops and events calendar
The Civil Service Leadership Academy delivers leadership development programmes as well as workshops and events for senior Civil Service leaders. Details of up and coming events can be found on the learning event calendar. For further information contact csleadershipacademy@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
This programme is open to CFOs, CEOs and senior management who have at least 10 years experience in finance or business functions. Further details can be found here:-
The Accelerated CIMA qualification is designed for senior leaders to attain an accounting qualification.
A bitesize Technical Accounting Training (TAcT) video aimed at SCS colleagues.
The 'Spending Journey' is a bite-sized learning presentation which aims to provide all leaders across Government departments with the underpinning knowledge to help them to manage their allocated budget, whether they are new to government finance or just want a refresher.
This event provides an opportunity for new Senior Civil Servants, who have been externally recruited, to be welcomed into the Civil Service and supports them to be truly effective as senior leaders in Government.
This role may be suitable for individuals at SCS1 or SCS2 with strong relationship building, numeracy and analytical skills and strategic thinking
This role is not suitable for non-finance professionals
Staff in this role typically move into other SCS2 senior finance roles, Director General Finance roles or COO roles in smaller organisations.