Post Introduction

We are looking for a dynamic, self-driven finance professional who holds a CCAB or equivalent professional accounting body qualification with significant PQE in a similar role, with proven experience in people management and leadership. This individual will play a pivotal leadership role within the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) team.

As Deputy Head of FP&A (Finance Business Partnering), you will lead a team of five Finance Business Partners, overseeing the delivery of high-quality financial reporting, planning, and coordination across the NCIs. Your leadership will ensure the team is well-supported to provide strategic financial insight and effective business partnering to each of the NCIs.

Working closely with the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis and the Deputy Head of FP&A (Management Accounting and Analysis), you will be responsible for ensuring the timely and accurate execution of financial planning and reporting processes. This includes managing the annual financial cycle, maintaining consistent service levels, and leading on business-as-usual improvements — particularly in response to internal audit findings and risks associated with manual processes.

You will collaborate with the Head of FP&A to deliver seamless finance support across the NCIs, contributing to various projects, programmes, and analytical initiatives. A key part of your role will be to mentor and develop the Finance Business Partnering team, enhancing their capabilities and supporting them in delivering insightful financial advice aligned with strategic and operational goals.

The ideal candidate will possess exceptional interpersonal and analytical skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across a wide range of stakeholders. You will be passionate about best practices, committed to developing a high-performing team, and dedicated to fostering a collaborative culture within the Finance department to ensure excellent service delivery.

Main Responsibilities

Financial Planning, Reporting, and Monitoring

• Lead, motivate, and manage the Finance Business Partnering team to deliver consistent, high-quality financial planning and analysis services.
• Promote a client-focused business partnering approach and develop team capabilities.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and insightful financial reporting across the NCIs.
• Collaborate on initiatives to develop and implement best-practice management reporting.
• Set and manage timetables for phased budgets and reforecasts, ensuring alignment with strategic planning.
• Develop and maintain robust templates and technological solutions to streamline processes.
• Promote consistency in financial reporting and modelling standards.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in financial reporting practices.
• Lead financial strategy implementation projects, including capital projects and programme analysis.
• Ensure KPI-aligned management and board reporting, and lead on KPI compliance.
• Support the efficiencies programme with consistent monitoring and reporting.
• Lead business-as-usual changes in response to internal audit feedback.

Financial Management and Accountability

• Collaborate with the Financial Accounting and Operations team to ensure accurate and timely financial close processes.
• Oversee month-end workload planning and prioritisation using the Finance planner.
• Represent Finance on project boards, steering groups, and sub-committees.
• Provide financial support for projects and grant-funded activities, including business case development and budget monitoring.
• Deliver financial training to non-finance colleagues to enhance financial literacy and accountability.

Support for the Finance Function

• Deputise for the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis as required.
• Lead FP&A team meetings and ensure effective internal communication.
• Support team development, performance planning, and goal setting.
• Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors and key suppliers.

• This is a hybrid role with the expectation to work from the office location 2 days per week.

• A market rate salary of £78,181 per annum, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.

• 30 days annual leave plus eight bank holidays three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time).
• We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario and if this fits within the department’s needs. We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
• We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
• Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK’s leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
• Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme 
• Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
• Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
• Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.

• Strive for Excellence
• Show Compassion
• Respect others
• Collaborate
• Act with Integrity