Deputy Director GFF Strategy, Performance & Improvement

Job summary

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.

Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.

We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you!

Job description

About the Group

The Public Spending Group is a high-profile and rewarding place to work. We help the Chancellor decide what to spend £1.2trillion a year on and ensure government delivers value for money for the taxpayer. We are responsible for reporting to Parliament and the public on how taxpayers’ money is spent. We drive forward improved outcomes and efficiency in public services and make sure value for money is at the centre of decision-making through better evaluation, data and analysis.

We advise on overall government policy on public sector pay and pensions, the biggest single driver of public spending. We collaborate with and directly support departments to deliver the Government Finance Function strategy, building finance, debt and risk capability across government and developing the management information, tools and frameworks to better understand and ensure value for money.

The Government Finance Function (GFF) - Government Finance Function - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The GFF ensures that finance is at the heart of decision making in Government - driving the agenda, not just keeping score. The function is led by Tara Smith (Co-Head of Government Finance Function and Chief Operating Officer, Department of Business & Trade) and Conrad Smewing (Co-Head of Government Finance Function and Director General Public Spending, HMT). The Finance Function comprises of over 9,000 FTE spread across over 40 Government organisations.

The new GFF strategy 2030 sets a bold direction for the future, ensuring we remain at the heart of government, supporting the delivery of high-quality public services and value for money. By prioritising our people and embracing data, innovation, and collaboration, we will continue to support our customers and stakeholders in making informed, strategic choices in an increasingly complex financial landscape.

About theTeam

The GFF Strategy Performance & Improvement Team purpose is driving up finance performance and improvement against standards and leading practice to achieve the GFF Strategy and 2030 vision: “a finance function that delivers expert insights and quality services by embracing digital innovation and putting people first”.

One of two central GFF teams in HM Treasury, we are a team of ~20 finance, digital and data professionals, working on behalf of the senior finance leadership across government to set the strategic direction, track and measure performance and drive a roadmap for transformation through increased innovation and data excellence.

Our key objectives are:

1. Set and drive the finance function strategy and standards, through robust governance and performance data, aligned to government priorities.
2. Provide expertise on Finance process, data & technology to drive automation, efficiency, and measurable improvements across the function.
3. Deliver an evidence-based transformation toolkit and baseline to enable departments to design and implement future-state finance models.

Our current priorities are firstly focusing on helping finance teams across government embed the new strategy, while also developing an accompanying performance framework that establishes clear line of sight from strategic objectives to performance metrics.

Secondly, we have just launched a new cross-government, Innovation Committee focussed on helping finance teams across government transform for the future, adopting the latest innovations and data capabilities to improve productivity and quality of outcomes for our customers. The team are responsible for supporting and coordinating this ambitious programme of work, ensuring we have clear insight on how to drive effective transformation and fostering a culture of innovation across the finance function.

The role offers exposure across Whitehall, including the chance to work and influence at the highest levels of the Civil Service, with the opportunity to be part of creating positive and long-lasting change across the GFF. The team prides itself on providing a supportive and inclusive working environment, which role models flexible working and offers opportunities to build networks across the GFF, HM Treasury and beyond.

About theJob

We are seeking an exceptional Finance Change Leader for the Government Finance Function to drive strategy, performance and improvement for the Government Finance Function. Reporting to the Deputy Head of the Government Finance Function, you will use your expertise and knowledge to inform, shape and deliver innovative solutions to transform for the Government Finance Function and meet the evolving needs of our customers. You will work at the heart of government, with the opportunity to create linkages and problem-solve across the wider system, supporting reform and growth of the Civil Service.

In this post you will support the joint Heads of Function and wider Finance Directors General across government to drive the strategic transformation and performance of finance in government. You will be an experienced finance professional, trusted strategic-partner and advocate for change with full autonomy to shape the work programme and will hold full accountability for delivery against it.

You will lead the team to shape and deliver agreed priorities for each year and overall delivery of the GFF Strategy to 2030, with direct responsibility to empower transformation and a culture of innovation and accelerate adoption of the latest digital and data practices.

Responsibilities for the role include:

1. Leadership of the c.20 strong Strategy, Performance & Improvement team, building a high-performing inclusive team environment, with everyone supported to deliver the greatest possible impact alongside meaningful career development.
2. Being a trusted advisor and partner to the co-Heads and Deputy Head of the Government Finance Function and wider leadership at DG and Director level across the Function.
3. Driving delivery of the 5-year strategy for the function, underpinned by clear delivery plans, funding and a performance framework that provides transparency and insight on strategic outcomes, impact and benefits.
4. Establishing highly effective cross-functional relationships, ensuring that the Government Finance Function is aligned to the wider Civil Service strategic aims and functional agenda, engaging and working alongside CO and wider functional experts as appropriate.
5. Delivering high-quality, effective senior governance forums at Director General and Director level across government, that drive strong 2-way engagement and foster open communications and a collective leadership community.
6. Proactive assessment and analysis of finance performance against standards (with ownership of the GovS:006 Finance Standard) working collaboratively with departments to drive insight and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
7. Direct and support delivery of Innovation and Data Excellence across the function, in line with the GFF Strategy 2030 through the DG-chaired GFF Innovation Committee.
8. Partner civil service organisations to transform their finance function, setting a clear roadmap for the future shape and size of the function, based on evidence and leading practice insight.
9. Enable broad knowledge exchange across the function, through mapping of the current landscape of change and innovation, widely communicating and engaging transformation communities to inspire innovation and change at all levels.
10. Set standards and maturity frameworks for finance process, data & systems—with ownership of the cross-functional NOVA reference model—and directly support AI, digital & data pilots to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies and leading practice.

Candidate Drop-In Session

We will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and the recruitment process. If you would like to join us, then use the appropriate link below to join the call at the right time.

Wednesday 14th January 2026 @ 14:00 - 14:30 Join the meeting now

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Andrew.Cartner@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Person specification

Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application.

Required Skills, Experience and Behaviours:

For your application, please send us a CV and a personal statement setting out how you meet the following skills, behaviours and experience. This should be no longer than 1250 words, and include no more than 250 words on each criteria below;

1. A track record of delivering finance or corporate services transformation and operational improvement [Experience]
2. Strong leadership skills, with the ability to build and motivate a strong, diverse team supporting them to perform through complex change. [Leadership]
3. Ability to lead impactful change and drive delivery of outcomes through influencing others in large and complex environments [Changing & Improving]
4. Adopts a system and business-wide perspective to ensure delivery is relevant and aligns to shared interests and outcomes with strategic partners. [Seeing the Big Picture]
5. Delivers wide-ranging impactful and inclusive communications that inspires trust and confidence of across a broad range of partners and audiences. [Communicating and Influencing]

Required Qualifications:

Partial or Fully qualified CCAB, CIMA (or internationally recognised equivalent) professional accountancy qualification. Post holders will be supported to progress professional qualifications in post.

Leadership Assessment:

Staff engagement panel exercise

If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in a staff engagement panel exercise. This assessment will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather it is designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview.

At interview stage, you will be assessed on the below criteria:

• Experience
• Strengths
• Behaviours:
• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating & Influencing

Interview Task

Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a task that the interview panel would like you to complete as part of the assessment. The exact details will be communicated to you nearer the time.

Qualifications

Partial or Fully qualified CCAB, CIMA (or internationally recognised equivalent) professional accountancy qualification. Post holders will be supported to progress professional qualifications in post

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £81,000, HM Treasury contributes £23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King's birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
• Generous parental and adoption leave package.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 28%
• Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site
• A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests and diversity

Flexible Working Arrangements

HM Treasury views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they can enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including; part-time, compressed hours and job sharing. Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees the flexibility to adjust their working patterns throughout the week which is subject to operational needs and line management approval.

At HM Treasury we have an incredibly broad remit; our work touches every citizen of the country. So, it’s important our employees come from the widest possible range of backgrounds, bringing us the widest possible range of perspectives and ways of thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all staff can realise their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites - Darlington, London, and Norwich, and along with the rest of the Civil Service, has an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office, along with working remotely. This blended working approach allows you to work collaboratively, meet stakeholders face to face, support others and promotes a healthy work life balance (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. All our offices have been recently modernised and designed to collaborate and connect with colleagues as well as desk and quiet space to allow a range of ways to work.

The office working expectation is linked to the location of the role. If you apply to a post in a single location, then you will not be able to meet this expectation at any of our other sites or move your role to another location.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Recruitment Timeline

• Closing date: Sunday 25th January 2026
• Shortlisting: w/c 26th January 2026
• Staff engagement panel exercise : w/c 2nd February 2026
• Interviews: w/c 9th February 2026

This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.

If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.

Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.

Reserve Lists

You will be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot offer you a post immediately. Where more than one location has been advertised, candidates will be approached for roles in merit order according to the first preferred location stated on your application form.

Please note that a place on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer. We would still encourage you to apply for other HM Treasury opportunities that you are interested in. If you are offered a role in your first preferred location and you decline the offer or you are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe, you will be removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Those on the reserve list may also be approached for similar roles at a lower grade. If you are offered a role at a lower grade and choose to decline, you can remain on the reserve list.

Eligibility Statement

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information.

Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, individuals appointed to the Treasury group will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)

To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, for example if you have been working abroad on a government posting, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case-by-case basis once the advert closing date has passed.

Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you. Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive.

These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting. If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact HMTSecurityVetting@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Andrew Cartner
• Email : Andrew.Cartner@hmtreasury.gov.uk
• Telephone : 07855974569

Recruitment team

• Email : hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Further information

Complaints Process: Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment based on fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact HMT by email at: hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.

Attachments

441732 Deputy Director of GFF Strategy, Performance & Improvement - role profile Opens in new window (pdf, 177kB)SCS Candidate FAQ's (2) Opens in new window (pdf, 194kB)