Finance Officer

On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for a Finance Officer x 3 (Inside IR35) - Grade HEO for a 12 month contract based hybrid in Corsham, Wiltshire. Office attendance is 2 days a week.

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.

Role Profile:

The SATCOM Programme delivers and sustains the MOD's worldwide satellite communications capability, ensuring secure and resilient communication services across Defence operations. Working within the SATCOM SK6 Delivery Team, you will provide high-quality financial management , forecasting, reporting, and strategic financial support to senior stakeholders responsible for delivering critical capabilities.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for experienced finance professionals to work on a high-profile defence programme, influencing financial decision -making and supporting the successful delivery of complex projects.

As a Finance Officer , your main responsibilities will be to:

- Lead financial planning, forecasting and budgeting activities across assigned programmes and projects.
- Monitor and control expenditure against approved budgets, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Produce, analyse and present financial reports, forecasts and management information for senior leadership teams.
- Support project and programme managers by providing robust financial insight and challenge .
- Ensure compliance with MOD financial regulations, governance requirements and statutory obligations.
- Maintain oversight of financial controls , reconciliations, accruals, commitments and balance sheet positions.
- Support the development of business cases, investment approvals and financial returns.
- Provide financial advice and guidance to stakeholders to support informed decision -making.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance financial processes and controls .
- Support and mentor junior finance colleagues where required.
- Liaise with internal finance teams, auditors, suppliers and wider MOD stakeholders.

PLEASE NOTE: Active SC 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:

- Significant experience in financial management , budgeting and forecasting.
- Experience analysing and manipulating complex financial data to support senior-level decision making.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including influencing and challenging non-finance colleagues.
- Experience managing project finances and supporting programme delivery.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial analysis and reporting.
- Professional finance qualification such as CIMA, ACCA or equivalent.
- Active SC Clearance

Desirable:

- Experience working within the MOD, Defence, Central Government or wider Public Sector.
- Understanding of government finance frameworks and public spending controls .
- Experience using Oracle, Cognos and other enterprise finance systems.

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.