Finance Business Partner - Water Regulator

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); Bristol; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental department in the UK is seeking an experienced finance professional to support the creation and implementation of a new water regulator. This role involves financial business partnering, evaluation of proposals, and ensuring compliance with financial governance. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with strong analytical skills and a proven ability to engage stakeholders effectively. The position offers a unique opportunity to impact the UK water industry significantly.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with expertise in financial reporting.
• Strong understanding of government financial governance.
• Proven history of stakeholder engagement at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial business partner support for the new water regulator.
• Evaluate spending proposals and ensure value for money.
• Establish a sound financial control framework for effective planning.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge of IFRS

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Financial reporting experience

Education

Full qualified member of an accounting body (ACCA, ACA, CIPFA, CIMA)

Job description

Location

Bristol, London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, York

Job summary

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. As a key member of the Defra Group Finance team, you’ll contribute to shaping policies and decisions that have a meaningful impact on the environment.

Following the outcome of the Independent Water Commission recommendations, we’re seeking an experienced and motivated finance professional to provide expert support on the creation and implementation of a new water regulator. This high‑impact role ensures strategic alignment across Defra and wider government, while fostering collaboration and driving forward Defra’s financial objectives.

We expect other Policy G7 FBP roles to be available over the coming months and will therefore be establishing a reserve list from this recruitment campaign.

Job description

The creation and implementation of new water regulator is high-profile, fast-paced and challenging, spanning multiple directorates and stakeholders across Defra, wider government and arms‑length‑bodies. This role offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of change, contributing to the delivery of a programme that will have huge impact on the future of UK water industry. You’ll be supporting on all aspects of implementation of the new water regulator.

What will the successful candidate be doing?

The role provides finance business partner and technical accounting support on Water Regulator programme and other aspects of water reform implementation as required.

You will be responsible for evaluating current spending, new proposals and business case development to ensure they deliver on both departmental priorities and maximum value for money. You’ll also support on the more technical financial accounting and governance aspects of how we merge elements of four organisations into a new single regulator. You'll maintain robust financial controls, while also supporting on developing multi-year planning, forecasting, financial accounting and governance processes.

Working closely with Finance Business Partners, Financial Accounts, Strategic Finance, Defra Investment Committee and HM Treasury you will help develop a regulator that is both affordable in the transition phase and sustainable in the longer-term. Your role will also ensure compliance with Managing Public Money and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance guidelines, providing sound advice to the Accounting Officer on all expenditure in your area.

Key responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Working in collaboration with the Water Reform team to establish a sound internal financial control framework which will enable effective financial planning, forecasting and reporting of spend across Defra Group at a project level.
• Providing rigorous financial scrutiny and challenge during the development of business case and investment proposals to support value‑for‑money outcomes.
• Work with Defra financial accounts team to understand the financial accounts implications, including balance sheet, disclosures, income and asset transfers required when setting up a new organisation.
• Engage directly with senior leaders across Defra, HM Treasury, and the Investment Committee, influencing strategic decisions and providing expert financial advice at the highest level
• Working in partnership with Defra financial accounts team and policy team to support in the design and implementation of robust financial accounting and reporting processes for the new water regulator.
• Building and influencing strong relationships with budget holders and key stakeholders across Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs), Policy teams, and Group Corporate Services, facilitating effective collaboration and serving as a vital link to the wider finance community.
• Leading finance business partnering activities for Water Reform programme, including preparation for fiscal events, multi-year business planning, submissions and advice to Ministers and HMT and annual budget setting.
• Providing the Accounting Officer with clear, balanced, and pragmatic financial advice to support informed decision-making.
• Supporting accurate financial forecasts and plans through robust challenge and collaborative engagement with budget holders and finance stakeholders.
• Representing the Finance function on project and programme boards and working groups, ensuring financial implications are thoroughly understood and integrated into decision‑making processes.

We will be establishing a 12-month reserve list which we will first recruitment from in the event of other Policy Finance Business Partnering roles becoming available.

Person specification

• Full qualified member of an accounting body e.g. (ACCA, ACA, CIPFA or CIMA) or demonstratable equivalent experience in financial reporting and financial governance.
• Strong technical knowledge of IFRS, government financial reporting and governance requirements.
• A track record of influencing and engaging stakeholders at all levels, fostering productive and collaborative relationships.
• Proven ability to use analytical skills and sound judgement and consider the big picture when solving complex problems within uncertain contexts, and ability to develop creative and pragmatic solutions which fit business needs.
• The ability to articulate complex financial concepts and landscapes clearly and accurately to senior leadership and key decision‑makers.
• Experienced in evaluating investment proposals, identifying associated risks, and advocating for value‑for‑money outcomes to support sound financial decision‑making.

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Experience of interpreting financial standards, financial reporting and financial governance

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.