Financial Management and Reporting Domain Assistant Head

Ministry of Defence; England; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department is seeking a motivated individual for a Grade 7 role in its finance team. The ideal candidate will have a professional accountancy qualification and experience in financial planning. The position involves managing teams, supporting strategic decision-making, and requires effective communication with senior stakeholders. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits in a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Flexible working

Training and personal development opportunities

25 days paid annual leave

Civil Service pension with high employer contribution

Subsidised fitness suite membership

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to interact with senior stakeholders and influence decisions.
• Strong experience in financial planning and management.

Responsibilities

• Manage both the In-Year Reporting and Strategic Planning Cycle teams.
• Liaise with key stakeholders for strategic planning.
• Drive continuous improvement of air finance processes.

Skills

Leadership skills

Strong financial acumen

Effective stakeholder management

Excellent communication skills

Education

Professional accountancy qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIMA)

Job description

About the job

Job summary

Are you a motivated, organised, and pro-active individual looking for an exciting opportunity within a fast-moving Finance function? Can you communicate effectively with confidence and influence? Do you have a passion for leading, mentoring, and supporting teams and driving continuous improvement? If so, then there is an opportunity to join our large, diverse and inclusive Air Finance team supporting the Royal Air Force, and wider defence at HQ Air Command, RAF High Wycombe.

We are seeking a Grade 7 in the Corporate Reporting and Strategic Finance team. The role is both challenging and high-profile, enabling the individual to engage with and influence the highest levels of strategic thinking and decision making in Air Command. The Grade 7 is responsible for currently managing both the In-Year Reporting and the Strategic Planning Cycle teams. The position entails liaison with Internal key stakeholders, such as Director Resources, Head of RAF Finance, and Air Command’s Resources and Plans team. There is additional engagement with key external stakeholders such as Strategic Finance.

Ideally, applicants should hold a full professional accountancy qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAEW or equivalent at Level 7) to complement substantial finance experience. We will also consider applications from experienced part-qualified Level 7 accountants on condition they can commit to completing their qualification within 18 months of appointment.

This role will likely include travel to MoD Main Building in Central London as well as occasional travel to other MoD establishments nationally.

In line with the Civil Service Hybrid Working policy, all Air Finance team members are expected to attend their main duty office (in this case RAF High Wycombe) regularly. Candidates are advised to research transport options and journey times before applying for the role. Please be aware that the role may be subject to change including due to the work of Defence Reform.

This role is suitable for hybrid working. Job holders may work from home or another MOD site, with regular attendance at High Wycombe as required based on individual, team and business needs

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week

Job description

The Grade 7 position is accountable to the Grade 6 Strategic Finance Lead, who in turn reports to the RAF Head of Finance. The position offers the individual the opportunity to interact with and impact top-tier strategic planning and key decision making within Air Command. The role includes ensuring that the direction and guidance from external stakeholders, such as Strategic Finance is communicated to Air Finance. The role includes responsibility for reporting on productivity and leading the finance work to support the delivery of the Strategic Planning Cycle in conjunction with key stakeholders, including Air Resources and Plans. The position currently manages both the In-Year Reporting and the Strategic Planning Cycle teams. Please be aware that the role may be subject to change including due to the work of Defence Reform.

A flexible approach to work is essential to ensure team outputs are produced to time and quality. You will work closely with the other Grade 7’s and their team within finance and the wider organisation. This includes the Finance Management and Reporting (FMR) team and the Finance Business Partners. The role will be supporting the delivery of the In-Year management financial position. Other activities include supporting financial planning and budgeting, working closely with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence to obtain the best financial settlement we can, while considering wider Defence and Government policies and priorities.

You will regularly advise senior management including at the 2-star level, both military and civilians. The role may include working across all the Ministry of Defence including the Department of States, Military Strategic Head Quarters and the National Armaments Directorate

Person specification

Key responsibilities for this role include but not limited to:

• Leading and directing the finance activity on the Strategic Planning Cycle within the Air Front Line Command (FLC), working in partnership with Air Resources and Plans and other stakeholders to deliver this objective.
• Support to the delivery of the In-Year management financial position (This is currently under review).
• Lead on the reporting of efficiencies delivery and programmes within Air, including the provision of expert advice and guidance.
• Drive the continuous improvement of Air finance processes and encourage the sharing of knowledge.
• Build effective relationships, including across Air Finance, Air Senior Leadership, and any other stakeholders to support the effective management of Air FLC
• Provision of SME technical knowledge, financial insight and expertise to all stakeholders regarding MOD centre reporting requirements.
• Leading and develop both the In-Year Reporting and the Strategic Planning Cycle teams.

Essential Experience:

It is essential for the successful applicant to be able to demonstrate in the application form and at interview:

• Proven leadership skills and abilities with a track record of successfully managing and developing teams
• The ability to collaborate and be self-motivated as well as working in an environment of change and ambiguity
• Flexibility and willingness to review priorities to meet the current and future needs of the business and the teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of working with a wide range of senior people
• Strong financial acumen and relevant technical expertise.
• Effective stakeholder management and engagement skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities, both written and verbal.

Qualifications

Ideally you will be fully qualified accountant, Level 7, e.g. CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA). We will consider applications from suitably experienced Level 7 part-qualified candidates on condition that they can commit to completing their qualification within 18 months of appointment

Behaviours

We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

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

• Leadership

Technical skills

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

• Financial Planning

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,690, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,292 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Flexible working
• Training and personal development opportunities
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• 25 days paid annual leave rising to 30 days on completion of 5 years’ service
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday
• A highly competitive Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Subsidised membership to a fitness suite and lunchtime/evening Military led fitness classes
• Café and shop on site

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 13th October 2025

For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.