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Government Recruitment Service; Exeter; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer scheme

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service is recruiting for a Finance Improvement Manager in Exeter. This role sits within Defra group Finance and supports the Synergy programme and future operating model changes across Defra and its organisations.

The postholder will shape change plans, deliver practical implementation support, and work with Finance teams to embed new processes, systems and ways of working to modernise the service.

Qualifications

• Experience leading finance improvement and change initiatives.
• Ability to develop and deliver implementation plans.
• Strong collaboration with Finance teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of robust implementation plans for Finance teams aligned to Synergy milestones and operating model changes.
• Provide finance expertise and practical support to implement improvement initiatives and embed new processes.
• Translate future finance designs into clear business requirements and guidance for transitions.
• Lead readiness and adoption assessments using data and stakeholder insights to identify impacts and interventions.
• Build relationships across Finance and Defra group to align stakeholders and manage risks and trade-offs.
• Attend workshops and contribute to programme deliverables.

Skills

Finance transformation

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Finance Improvement Manager

This is a high-impact role for experienced finance improvement and change leaders who can combine technical credibility, structureddeliveryand practical implementation support. Sitting within Defra group Finance, postholders will help shape change plans and work directly with Finance teams to implement improvement initiatives, adopt new ways of working and prepare for the Synergy Shared Service Programme and wider operating model changes across Defra and its organisations.

The Synergy programme is one of government’s largest transformation initiatives, replacing core HR, finance, procurement and payroll processes and improving the digital experience for users across Defra and its organisations. These roles will help Finance leaders and teams prepare for adoption of the Synergy solution from 2028, while supporting a more modern,efficientand future-ready finance service.

We are looking to recruit fourFinance Improvement Managers towork with dedicated Finance teams aligned to individual Arms’ Length Bodies and Business Units. You will supportSenior Finance Leaders and the central Finance Change and Transformation Team to developcredibleimplementation plans,provide financeexpertise, remove barriers toadoptionand help teams putnew processes,systemsand ways of workinginto practice.

This is a unique opportunity toworkat the heart ofamajorfinancetransformation, shaping how financeservices are deliveredacross the Defra group. The roles will suitpeoplewitha track recordofleading improvement,implementing end-to-end process change, working in complexenvironmentsand bringing stakeholders together around a common way of working.

Aligned to theGFF Career Framework, these roles involve leadership across Finance Operations and Finance DataandSystems. The experience gained will provide a strong platform for progression, developing capability in finance operations, business change, stakeholder engagement, serviceimprovementand implementation leadership.

As a Finance Improvement Manager,you willcombine planning,deliveryand hands-on finance improvement support.Workingclosely with process owners,subjectmatter experts, Finance leaders and programme colleagues, you willhelp turnSynergy processdesignsand operating model changes into practical activityacross areassuch asSource to Pay, Planning,BudgetingandForecasting,Project Accounting, reporting, controlsanddata.

You will work alongside Finance teams to implement improvement initiatives,testand embed new processes, resolve practical issues and support adoption. You will alsoproduce guidance, engagement and communication materials that help Finance leaders explain the change clearly and build confidence with users.

You willoperatein a collaborative, matrixed environment, balancing structured planning withpractical delivery, coaching andhands-on engagement tomaintainmomentum, resolve issues and support a smooth transition to the future finance operating model.

• Lead the development and delivery of robust implementation plans for Finance teams across Defra group organisations, aligned to Synergy programme milestones and wider operating model changes.
• Provide financeexpertiseand practical support to help teams implement improvement initiatives, adopt standardisedprocessesand embed new systems,controlsand ways of working.
• Work with process owners and subject matter experts to translate future finance process designs into clear business requirements, guidance, transitionactivityand user-focused implementation support.
• Lead impact,readinessand adoption assessments, using data, stakeholderinsightand a consistentmethodologytoidentifyimpacts, barriers and support needs, define success measures, and recommend targeted interventions that build confidence and improve delivery outcomes.
• Build strong relationships across Finance, Defra group organisations, programmeteamsand Whitehall partners, using clear engagement, guidance and reporting to align stakeholders around the future finance operating model, support adoption and elevate key risks,decisionsand trade-offs.
• Attendand provide input to subject-related workshops as needed

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Company: Government Recruitment Service

Salary: £56,375 to £69,105 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Exeter

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 7 Sept 2026

Closing date: 20 Sept 2026