Director Of Finance

Purpose of Post
The Director of Finance is the senior finance professional and adviser to the First Minister, Minister for Finance and Local Government, the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Operating Officer on matters relating to financial management, accounts, governance and grants. You will be a member of the Welsh Government Board, Executive Committee, Corporate Services Sub-committee and Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee providing strategic finance and governance leadership and advice at the highest levels.
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As Head of the Finance Profession, you will be responsible for a range of expert and transactional services across the Welsh Government. As a member of the Finance Leadership Group you will have a key role in shaping and overseeing the finance function for the UK Civil Service. You will be responsible for a range of policy and functional areas of Finance, accounting, governance and grants that underpin much of what we do. You will also lead the Corporate Shared Service Centre, which delivers HR and Finance activities across the organisation, and have line management responsibility for Internal Audit.
Key Responsibilities
The Director of Finance operates in a complex and fast-moving environment covering a range of policy, expert services and transactional responsibilities. You will:
* Provide direct support and advice to the First Minister and Minister for Finance and Local Government on all relevant financial matters including Cabinet business.
* Support the Permanent Secretary (as Principal Accounting Officer) and Directors General (as Additional Accounting Officers) in setting and leading the financial strategy, budget management, control, reporting and accounting in respect of the Welsh Government’s annual budget, which currently stands at over £19 billion.
* Provide finance leadership as a member of the Welsh Government Board, Executive Committee, Corporate Services Sub-committee and Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee.
* Lead the promotion and delivery of good financial management throughout the Welsh Government to ensure that resources are safeguarded and used appropriately, efficiently and effectively.
* Lead, motivate and empower staff in the Finance Directorate, support their development and wellbeing, and build a diverse team with a focus on great staff engagement.
* Be the Head of the Finance Profession with a particular emphasis on developing skills and a strong talent pipeline.
* Be responsible for the development of policy and delivery of expert services for grant management, financial accounting, financial management, supplementary budgets and estimates, governance, subsidy, VAT and cash and debt management.
* Lead on the corporate shared services agenda both in the current delivery of services and the future strategy for the Welsh Government and the wider Welsh Government group.
* Line manage Internal Audit services including oversight and progress on the delivery of the annual plan and resourcing.
* Jointly lead on transformational change, including the development of a business case to support the replacement of ERP and grants systems in support of a wider review of the organisation’s operating model.
* Support Welsh Treasury on the long term strategic financing of Welsh Government and the annual budget process.
Essential Criteria:
* A proven track record in strategic financial leadership in a large and complex operating environment.
* CCAB or CIMA qualified with a strong financial background, experience of complex financial systems and a strong understanding of the management of public expenditure.
* Substantial experience of (i) leading and developing a diverse team of Finance professionals and (ii) developing a spirit of teamwork across functional and organisational boundaries to deliver an efficient and effective service – with specific experience of driving and improving performance.
* A proven track record of demonstrating commitment to equality and diversity and creating a fairer workplace environment.
* Able to represent and influence at the most senior level, motivate people and work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, and build partnerships across organisational and sector boundaries.
* Experience of leading through transformational change in a complex multi-functional organisation.
Office Requirements:
Welsh Government have a hybrid working model based on being in your contracted office when there is a business requirement or when it suits your individual preference. Our staff are able to work from alternative locations, including from home when there is no requirement to be in their contracted office. The advertised roles are being advertised on that basis and not on a remote basis.
Closing Date: 05/02/2024, 16:00