Director of Strategic Finance

Job summary

The Director of Strategic Finance is a critical leadership role.

You will provide strategic financial leadership for one of government's largest spending departments, shaping how more than £100 billion of public funding is invested to deliver better outcomes for children, young people and families.

Working closely with Ministers, HM Treasury and senior leaders, you will lead Spending Reviews, funding strategy and major investment decisions, ensuring resources are targeted effectively and deliver maximum impact and value for money. You'll also lead a high-performing finance directorate and play a key role in the wider leadership of the Department for Education.

We are looking for an outstanding leader, with a strong track record on large scale financial leadership and a passion for ensuring that the money we spend has the greatest impact possible on children and young people’s lives.

Job description

The Director of Strategic Finance provides strategic financial leadership to the Department for Education, advising Ministers, the Permanent Secretary and the Leadership Team on fiscal strategy, affordability, value for money and funding policy. The role jointly leads the DfE Finance Function alongside the Director of Operational Finance and is accountable for:

• Leading the Strategic Finance Directorate (c.165 staff) and helping shape the direction of the wider DfE Finance Function.
• Securing the department's revenue, capital and administration budgets, leading engagement with HM Treasury through Spending Reviews, fiscal events and funding negotiations.
• Advising Ministers and senior leaders on the allocation of funding, ensuring resources are aligned to strategic priorities and deliver value for money across more than £100 billion of public expenditure.
• Providing strategic oversight of the department's financial position, ensuring strong stewardship of public funds, effective risk management and high-quality financial advice. This includes ensuring the department operates in line with Managing Public Money, maintaining strong governance and protecting the Accounting Officer's position.
• Setting the strategic direction for early years, high needs, schools and capital funding policy, advising on funding reform, affordability and delivery.
• Acting as the department's senior finance lead with HM Treasury, building trusted relationships and influencing funding decisions across government.
• Working to ensure funding settlements and ministerial priorities are translated into delivery, working across policy, finance, digital and operational teams.
• Representing DfE across Whitehall and contributing to the leadership and development of the Government Finance Function.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• A strong track record of leading a Finance Function or significant funding operation in a large and complex organisation, providing high-quality advice on funding, affordability, value for money, risk and fiscal strategy. This should include interpreting financial information to help shape and influence organisational strategy.
• Proven ability to influence and secure the confidence of senior stakeholders – Ministers, Board members or equivalent level leaders. This includes operating effectively in complex and high-profile organisational environments, demonstrating sound judgement and the ability to navigate competing priorities and interests.
• Significant experience of securing, allocating and managing substantial revenue, capital and administration budgets, including business planning, funding settlements and in-year financial management.
• Experience of leading effective transformation, including driving sustainable efficiencies and change across large organisations or systems.
• Outstanding leadership skills, with experience of leading diverse professional teams –fostering high-performing and inclusive cultures.

Qualifications

Professionally qualified (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent), or significantly advanced in working towards qualification.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £105,000, Department for Education contributes £30,418 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered. As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Part‑time hours available, from a minimum of 0.8 FTE.

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

To apply for this role, you need to complete an online application via the Civil Service Jobs portal. Applications will be accepted until 23:55 on Tuesday 20 October.

Application

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. Your CV should be no more than two pages.
2. A Statement of Suitability of up to 1,250 words, detailing how you meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification section above, with reference to specific examples and evidence. Should we receive a high number of applications, then we will sift on the first two essential criteria and the technical requirement.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only has limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please contact: SCS.RECRUITMENT@education.gov.uk

Please note the following:

• We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date;
• Applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided;
• Please refer to the advert and checklist above to ensure you have provided everything requested;
• Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt;
• Feedback will only be given to candidates unsuccessful following interview.

Selection Process

Should candidates be successful following the sift, candidates will be required to:

1. Complete online numerical and verbal reasoning assessments.
2. Take part in a formal in-person interview in London on Thursday 19 November, which will include:
   • A presentation or exercise (details will be provided to shortlisted candidates).
   • Interview questions based on the Essential Criteria to further assess your experience.

You may also be invited to:

• Attend an informal, in-person conversation with the Secretary of State for Education or the Lead Finance Non-Executive Director in London. This does not form part of the formal assessment process.

As part of the recruitment process, we may request references.

Please note that, at the interview stage, we may ask whether you have any conflicts of interest to declare.

The successful candidate will be subject to social media and due diligence checks prior to appointment.

The Department for Education does not cover the cost of travel to your interview or assessment unless otherwise stated.

For an accessible version of the candidate pack, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Department of Education via scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.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 basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.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.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 : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : SCS.Recruitment@education.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk

Further information

The Department for Education’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operations@education.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages

Attachments

Director of Strategic Finance - Candidate pack V1.0 Opens in new window (pdf, 1094kB)DFE Terms & Conditions - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 215kB)SCS OGD Transfer Supplementary Information - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 325kB)Reasonable Adjustments guide 05_2025 - accessible version - Copy Opens in new window (pdf, 723kB)