Chief Financial Officer

Government Recruitment Service; Borough of Runnymede; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK government agency is seeking a Chief Finance Officer to lead financial operations and support the strategic goals of the organization. The role involves developing financial plans, managing risks, and overseeing financial reporting. Ideal candidates will have a strong financial background and experience in leadership. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence public health and safety through effective financial management.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial operations and strategic planning.
• Ability to provide financial advice to senior leadership.
• Strong understanding of compliance and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term financial plans and strategies.
• Manage cash flow and ensure healthy financial operations.
• Oversee the preparation of accurate financial reports.
• Lead a team of approximately 10 staff.

Skills

Strategic financial planning

Risk management

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Leadership

Job description

About the VMD

You may not have heard of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), but have you ever:

• eaten meat, eggs, fish or honey
• drunk milk
• owned a pet or animal
• taken antibiotics

If you said yes to any of the above, you are directly affected by what the VMD does.

The VMD is the regulatory and policy lead responsible for issues concerning the authorisation, use, and manufacture of veterinary medicines in the UK.

Our aim is to protect public health, animal health, and the environment, and promote animal welfare by assuring the safety, quality and effectiveness of veterinary medicines.

Find out more at:About us - Veterinary Medicines Directorate - GOV.UK

The Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is a key role in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and accountable to the Chief Executive Officer of the VMD.

As CFO, you will be responsible for all financial operations, including strategic financial planning, risk management, budgeting, and reporting. You will provide financial advice for decision making and act as a key partner to the CEO and others to achieve business goals.

You will have autonomy to lead the team responsible for the management of VMD’s finances. You will provide financial advice and support to VMD’s senior leadership team, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, internal control and achieving key financial obligations.

Main duties

• Develop long-term financial plans and strategies that align with the VMD’s business objectives.
• Manage cash flow, revenue, expenses, and ensure the VMD maintains healthy financial operations.
• Identify and manage financial risks, including business risks and potential financial losses.
• Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial reports and statements for internal and external stakeholders.
• Achieving key annual statutory deliverables, audit sign-off of the Annual Report and Accounts (ensuring reporting meets legislative, HM Treasury and IFS standards), an annual budget, and analysing the fees and charges required to recover costs.
• Accurate financial reporting to Defra by the required deadlines, including monthly management information, income and expenditure reports and ‘transparency’ spend data.
• VMD Counter Fraud Officer, raising awareness of potential fraud and working closely with the Defra counter fraud team.
• Collaborate with the CEO and others to make sound financial and business decisions.
• Create detailed financial forecasts and manage the VMD's budget to ensure it aligns with strategic goals.
• Providing financial support and help to deliver teams responsible for budget areas and developing their financial awareness.
• Lead the financial workstream of the income generation project working with others across Defra and VMD policy teams.
• Overseeing the financial workstream of the synergy transformation programme.
• Drive continuous improvement in relation to financial operations and embedding efficient processes and tools.
• Member of the VMD’s Senior Leadership Team, Management Board, and Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.
• Lead a team of approximately 10 staff.
• Comply with ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 27001 (information security) standards, and GDPR and record management requirements.
• Act corporately – meeting, role-modelling, embedding, and championing the corporate objectives set by the VMD.