Finance Manager

On behalf of the MOD , we are looking for a Finance Manager (Inside IR35) for a 12 month contract based in Corsham 2-3 days office attendance .

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a central government department with a mission to protect our country and provide the ultimate guarantee of its security and independence , as well as helping to protect its values and interests abroad.

The MOD is one of the biggest public procurement organisations in Europe and the single largest customer for UK industry. It currently manages approximately £20 billion of spend on capital investments in equipment and infrastructure every year. Over the next decade the MOD is committed to spending over £190 billion on equipment and support. The MOD’s customers include both the armed forces and national security agencies, and it has a diverse range of requirements, including military fighting vehicles, education services, nuclear submarines and facilities management .

The MOD’s aim is to provide its armed forces with the best capabilities to enable them to protect the UK’s security and advance national interests, both now and in the long term.

To do this the MOD has an annual budget of almost £53 billion and a workforce comprising 197,000 people. of which 54,000 are civilians working for the UK MOD.

The work really matters; the MOD offers a range of engaging roles which have a direct impact on the quality of services they provide, in many locations across the UK. We support teams working in HR, Primary Health Care, Corporate Services, and many others.

We are seeking an experienced Finance professional to provide financial management and business partnering support to a high-profile Service Owner area. This is a critical interim assignment focused on maintaining continuity of core financial services, delivering high-quality financial insight, and ensuring strong governance throughout the engagement.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will play a key role in supporting financial decision -making, providing accurate forecasting and management information, and ensuring compliance with financial controls and assurance requirements.

As a Finance Manager your main responsibilities will be:

- Providing expert financial management and business partnering support across the Service Owner portfolio.
- Producing accurate forecasts, budgets and management information to support effective decision -making.
- Delivering clear and insightful financial advice to senior stakeholders.
- Maintaining strong financial controls , governance and assurance processes.
- Supporting approvals and investment decision processes with robust financial analysis .
- Leading or supporting year-end accounting activities and audit requirements.
- Identifying financial risks and opportunities and recommending appropriate actions.
- Working collaboratively with delivery, commercial and finance teams to achieve organisational objectives .
- Managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality outputs against fixed deadlines.
- Supporting knowledge transfer activities and contributing to a comprehensive handover for the returning post holder.

PLEASE NOTE /SC/DV Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

Essential:

- Active SC Clearance.
- Demonstrable experience in financial management , forecasting, budgeting and management information within a complex organisation.
- Ability to provide clear, credible financial advice to senior stakeholders and influence evidence-based decisions .
- Strong understanding of financial governance, control and assurance frameworks.
- Experience supporting year-end accounting processes and external or internal audit requirements.
- Ability to work at pace, manage multiple priorities and meet challenging deadlines.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience working across finance, commercial and delivery functions.

Desirable:

- Public sector and/or Defence finance experience.
- Experience supporting live services, digital programmes or complex portfolios.
- Relevant accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or equivalent demonstrable experience.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, the MOD encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, the MOD welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following “this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.