Director of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer

CABINET OFFICE; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 98,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cabinet Office seeks a Chief Financial Officer to lead the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, ensuring accountability and strategic oversight in financial governance. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on public service delivery. Candidates should possess proven leadership skills and a strong accounting background.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus public holidays

Contributory pension scheme with government contribution

Generous paid maternity and paternity leave

Childcare benefits under the Tax-Free Childcare scheme

Interest-free loans for travel or bicycle

Onsite fitness centres and canteens (where applicable)

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in leading diverse teams in a corporate environment.
• Ability to think strategically and translate goals into actionable plans.
• Strong understanding of the political landscape.

Responsibilities

• Act as Chief Financial Officer, maintaining effective governance.
• Lead development of legal services aligning with organizational objectives.
• Enhance visibility and reputation across Government.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Oversight

Strategic Planning

Communication

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

IBCA's corporate services are crucial for the successful implementation and operation of the compensation scheme, ensuring that eligible individuals receive the support they need.

The Corporate Services Directorate leads on a range of corporate governance functions including the delivery of audit assurance and corporate reporting.

In addition, the Chief Finance function has responsibility for budgetary oversight and coordination of IBCA portfolio input to long term infrastructure investment planning as well as lead legal services.

In this senior role, you will drive the delivery of an equitable compensation scheme for those affected by the infected blood scandal, while ensuring the highest standards of corporate governance and financial oversight. Be part of a pioneering team dedicated to making a significant difference in the lives of individuals and families alike.

This is a unique opportunity to lead change in a vital area of public service delivery. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority while making a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by this historical tragedy. If you possess the ambition to lead with integrity and drive results that matter, we would love to hear from you.

Job description

About the Infected Blood Compensation Authority

In recognition of the hurt caused by the infected blood scandal and highlighted by the Infected Blood Inquiry (IBI), the government has accepted the moral case for a compensation scheme to pay compensation to those infected and affected.

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority will ensure payment is made in recognition of the wrongs experienced by those who have been infected by HIV, Hepatitis B or C, as well as those who love and care for them. They have been frustrated and distressed by the delays in achieving proper recognition, and we must help put this right.

Opportunities to move to the new Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).At the moment all IBCA roles are hosted by Cabinet Office within the Civil Service. However, once IBCA becomes operational, it is anticipated that most of these roles will transfer to IBCA, which is a new Arms Length Body (ALB) separate from the Cabinet Office. Roles that transfer to IBCA from Cabinet Office will maintain the same or substantially the same terms and conditions of employment that are overall no less favourable. It is anticipated that employees who move from Cabinet Office to IBCA will be able to continue to participate in the Civil Service Pension arrangements with no break in their pensionable service. Roles commencing after IBCA has become operational will be with IBCA itself on similar terms and conditions. All successful candidates will receive full details of the terms and conditions of employment for their role with their formal job offer.

Please note that the mission of IBCA means that it is likely to be fully operational for a period of approximately 5-7 years, after which IBCA will become a smaller residual service. When IBCA’s work begins to wind down, IBCA employees will receive support and practical guidance to find a new role, whether in the Civil Service, another Arms Length Body (ALB), or an external employer.

Key Responsibilities

• CFO Leadership:Act as Chief Financial Officer for IBCA, working closely with the IBCA Board to maintain effective governance, internal assurance controls, and the production of accurate annual reports and accounts.
• Strategic Vision:Provide inspirational leadership to establish and embed IBCA’s values and culture while developing a cohesive, high-performing senior team.
• Legal Services Management:Oversee and lead the development of legal services, ensuring they align with organisational objectives and effectively respond to challenges.
• Commercial Function Development:Develop a robust commercial function, including finance, legal services, estates and business management, to facilitate the delivery of IBCA’s core services through partnerships, ensuring value for money and operational excellence.
• Reputation Building:Enhance IBCA’s visibility and reputation across Government, building strategic relationships and ensuring effective communication with stakeholders.
• Efficiency and Improvement:Ensure the viability and scalability of shared function models by implementing processes focused on efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Financial Oversight:Manage business planning, budgeting, and supplier relationships to drive efficiency and excellence in service delivery while maintaining accountability for the use of public funds.
• Team Development:Champion a culture of service excellence and continuous improvement, leading a Corporate Services Function that meets the evolving demands of the organisation.
• Accountability:Act as a key member of the Executive Committee and Board, responsible for strategic and operational choices related to the compensation scheme, enhancing transparency and public accountability.

Person specification

It is important that, through your CV and supporting statement, that you provide evidence of the professional skills, breadth of experience and personal qualities for this post.

Essential Criteria:

• Proven track record of leading, managing, and developing high-performing diverse teams in high-pressure, corporate services environment.
• Demonstrable experience of leading one or more of the functional areas for which the Head of Corporate Services will be responsible.
• Ability to think strategically and translate organisational goals into actionable plans, ensuring alignment across all functions.
• Strong understanding of the political landscape and sensitivity to public scrutiny, with the capability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to influence at board-level, throughout the organisation and across government.
• High level of professional judgment and ability to assess risk while making sound, evidence-based decisions.

Qualifications

Must be a qualified accountant with strong expertise in managing the finances of complex organisations.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £98,000, Cabinet Office contributes £28,390 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously, and want to enable you to build a really successful career within the Department and wider Civil Service. It is crucial that our employees have the right skillsto develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead, and you’ll benefit from regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing. As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits.

This includes:

• 25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. This is in addition to 8 publicholidays.
• This will be complimented by one further day paid privilege entitlement to mark the King’s Birthday;
• A competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution to the cost of your pension; where your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken; and where your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire;
• Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers;
• Childcare benefits (policy for new employees as of 5 April 2018): The government has introduced the Tax- Free Childcare (TFC) scheme. Working parents can open an online childcare account and for every £8 they pay in, the government adds £2, up to a maximum of £2000 a year for each child or £4000 for a disabled child. Parents then use the funds to pay for registered childcare. Existing employees may be able to continue to claim childcare vouchers, so please check how the policy would work for youhere;
• Interest-free loans allowing you to spread the cost of an annual travel season ticket or a new bicycle;
• The opportunity to use onsite facilities including fitness centres and staff canteens (where applicable); and occupational sick pay.