Head of Finance

Maitland Selwyn; Dartford; On-site; GBP 66,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks a Head of Finance to provide financial leadership for the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA). The role involves managing financial planning, budgeting, and compliance, while leading the development of new funding models. The position requires a qualified accountant with expertise in public sector financial systems and strong stakeholder engagement skills.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial leadership roles within government or regulatory bodies.
• Strong understanding of public sector funding models.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the IAA's financial strategy.
• Manage the GIA budget and ensure compliance.
• Lead procurement and contract management.

Skills

Financial Leadership

Budgeting

Stakeholder Engagement

Financial Governance

Education

Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA, ACA)

Job description

Overview

Head of Finance (4702991)

Reference
4702991

Salary
£66,181 - £74,098

Job Location
- United Kingdom -- England -- South East England -- Kent -- Dartford

Job Type
Permanent

Posted
02 July 2025

Closing date
23 Jul 2025 22:59

Purpose

As the Finance Lead for the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), you will play a pivotal role in delivering the financial strategy outlined in the IAA's Corporate Plan 2025-2027. You will support financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and programme initiatives to assist the IAA's ambition to become a high-performing, modernised regulator. This includes supporting the development of a new funding model (including leading on fees and charges), enhancing financial governance, and ensuring value for money across all operations.

Key responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Develop and implement the IAA's financial strategy aligned with the Corporate Plan
• Advise senior leadership on funding models and provide insight to inform planning.

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Manage the GIA budget, annual accounts, and monthly financial returns.
• Ensure compliance with government financial standards and reporting requirements.

Procurement and Contract Oversight

• Lead procurement and contract management in line with public sector rules.
• Ensure delivery of outcomes and hold suppliers accountable for performance.

Governance and Assurance

• Support ARAC and Director of Corporate Operations with financial risk, audit, and assurance.
• Contribute to business cases and impact assessments for strategic changes.

Transformation and Continuous Improvement

• Embed best financial practices to support a high-performing culture.
• Collaborate to sustain financial viability across all core functions.

Fees and Charges

• Lead implementation of a new fees and charges model in coordination with stakeholders.
• Develop a cost recovery framework and update processes to support the regime.

Line Management

Person specification

Essential

• Qualified accountant (e.g. CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA, ACA)
• Proven experience in financial leadership roles within government or regulatory bodies. Familiarity with Home Office financial systems and reporting requirements.
• Strong understanding of public sector funding models, procurement regulations, and financial governance.
• Experience supporting organisational transformation and change programmes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including with senior officials and external partners.

Desirable

• Experience in designing and working with cost recovery charging models.
• Experience working in or with arm's length bodies (ALBs).
• Knowledge of immigration policy and regulatory environments.
• Forensic accounting background to support POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act 2022) activities.

To apply for this role please send your CV and a Supporting Statement of no more than two sides of A4 paper detailing how you meet the criteria to the Hays Recruitment Team via the link at the bottom of the advert.

Additionally, as you apply you will be invited to complete an Equality and Diversity Questionnaire. This is to assist the IAA in ensuring its recruitment processes are fair to all. The questionnaire is not seen by anyone involved in the selection process. Completing the questionnaire is not mandatory.

Contact

Hays Recruitment is managing this role on behalf of the Immigration Advice Authority. If you are interested in finding out more about this role, please reach out to:

Donna - 07843363610