On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for a Finance Manager (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract based in Bristol or London 1 day per week onsite or as needed.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a central government department with a mission to protect our country and provide the ultimate guarantee of its security and independence, as well as helping to protect its values and interests abroad.
The MOD is one of the biggest public procurement organisations in Europe and the single largest customer for UK industry. It currently manages approximately £20 billion of spend on capital investments in equipment and infrastructure every year. Over the next decade the MOD is committed to spending over £190 billion on equipment and support. The MOD’s customers include both the armed forces and national security agencies, and it has a diverse range of requirements, including military fighting vehicles, education services, nuclear submarines and facilities management.
The MOD’s aim is to provide its armed forces with the best capabilities to enable them to protect the UK’s security and advance national interests, both now and in the long term.
To do this the MOD has an annual budget of almost £53 billion and a workforce comprising 197,000 people. of which 54,000 are civilians working for the UK MOD.
The work really matters; the MOD offers a range of engaging roles which have a direct impact on the quality of services they provide, in many locations across the UK. We support teams working in HR, Primary Health Care, Corporate Services, and many others.
We are seeking a Finance Manager to join the CSM Approvals, Cost, Benefits and Finance team. Reporting to the Finance, Costs and Benefits Lead, you will manage core finance processes and provide expert financial advice to support informed decision-making across a high-profile Ministry of Defence programme.
This role offers an excellent opportunity to apply your expertise in financial management, forecasting, reporting, and financial control while working closely with senior stakeholders. You will play a key role in ensuring robust financial governance, managing risks and opportunities, and supporting the programme's financial performance.
As part of a priority MOD programme, the position provides significant exposure to senior leaders and offers excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression.
As a Finance Manager, your main responsibilities will be:
- Managing key finance processes including forecasting updates, accruals, general ledger activity, and financial reporting.
- Providing financial and accounting advice to ensure compliance with Ministry of Defence accounting standards, policies, and financial controls.
- Completing finance system activities to support accurate in-year financial management and Annual Budget Cycle (ABC) forecasting.
- Working collaboratively with workforce planning colleagues to maintain accurate contingent labour and workforce forecasts.
- Building effective relationships with local finance teams and MOD Strategic Finance colleagues to respond to financial queries, taskings, and savings requirements.
- Supporting the identification and management of financial risks, opportunities, underspends, and overspends.
- Contributing to recommendations and advice for senior leaders on affordability and financial performance.
- Producing high-quality financial analysis, reporting, briefings, and management information for governance forums and decision-making boards.
- Supporting the Programme Director and Senior Responsible Owner with insight and advice on the programme's overall financial position.
Essential:
- Active SC Clearance
- Qualified Accountant ACA, ACCA, CIMA CIPFA or equivalent
- Experience of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting within a finance or business management environment.
- Experience managing in-year financial processes, including accruals, forecast updates, and ledger-related activity.
- Ability to provide clear financial advice and challenge stakeholders constructively where required.
- Strong understanding of financial governance, controls, accounting standards, policies, and compliance requirements.
- Experience analysing financial performance, identifying risks and opportunities, and making evidence-based recommendations.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to work across finance, workforce planning, and programme teams to deliver results.
Desirable:
- Experience of Ministry of Defence financial processes, Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting activities, or equivalent public sector finance environments.
- Experience providing financial advice, governance reporting, and briefings to senior leaders.
- Experience supporting workforce planning or contingent labour forecasting activities.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
Disability Confident
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, the MOD guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Armed Forces Covenant
The MOD guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.
