Finance Lead - PackUK

Job summary

We would like to thank you for considering the role of Finance Lead for the UK Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) for Packaging Scheme Administrator (SA). If successful you will be part of a team at the heart of one of the most important and powerful environmental reforms of our time, by helping to shape and make a direct contribution to the achievement of net zero by 2050 while boosting the economy.

The new pEPR UK scheme launched in 2025, and the Finance Lead will be part of a team of talented individuals who are passionate about recycling and the environment. Together you will work on transforming our current linear economic model of ‘take, make, use, throw’ into a circular economy. In a circular economy, resources will be retained and used for as long as possible, maximising gained value; capitalising on resource efficiency; minimising waste and the impact that inefficient resource use has on our environment and society.

We are looking to recruit a talented person who can provide leadership and support for the development and delivery of all aspects of finance delivery and has a proven track record of delivering a high-quality service, within a busy, complex, dynamic and fast-moving environment.

Fundamental to the role is the emphasis we place on the applicants’ personal qualities, which is viewed as significant to the role as that of your professional background. You will need to be able to engage with people both within the organisation and across the wider network of stakeholders. You will to be culturally competent and be able to build relationships with all people regardless of their background; have excellent networking and collaboration skills that ensures operational excellence and business delivery is always achieved, which will be part of a complex and unpredictable environment.

Job description

Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Finance Lead will head up a team of finance specialists to deliver the finance function for the Scheme Administrator.

You will provide strategic finance support to Senior Leadership, Devolved Governments and Four Nations boards and committees for the multibillion four nations packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. You will work closely and build critical relationships with finance professions across Defra, Devolved Governments and other government departments, maintaining critical relationships between Scheme Administrator and key stakeholder finance functions.

You will operate in a complex and evolving environment, managing a small team of finance specialists to deliver an effective finance function. You will build strong collaborative relationships with a range of partners, ensuring excellent service and informed decision-making that drives business outcomes. This role offers exposure to a broad range of responsibilities, supporting key business areas and influencing strategic and operational decisions. Success requires exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to listen, interpret, influence, negotiate, and inspire while maintaining focus under pressure.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of statutory and non-statutory financial reporting for Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), ensuring compliance with legislation, public sector accounting standards, and IFRS across DEFRA and Devolved Governments.
• Provide accurate, timely financial management information to support strategic decision-making, identifying and managing financial risks and opportunities to drive performance improvements.
• Lead and develop a team of finance specialists, fostering leadership skills and ensuring high-quality service delivery across multiple stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including DEFRA, Devolved Governments, and wider networks, to deliver a coordinated and effective finance service.
• Represent the Scheme Administrator at senior governance forums, presenting financial data, challenging assumptions, and supporting informed decision-making.
• Deliver clear, insightful financial reporting to DEFRA, Devolved Governments, and Scheme Administrator governance forums.
• Support the development and implementation of Packaging EPR policies, ensuring robust financial accounting approaches and approvals across all four nations.
• Proactively identify risks, issues, and opportunities to improve finance and resourcing functions, processes, and standards, making recommendations to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with Managing Public Money and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.
• Collaborate with Fraud & Debt Management teams to identify and mitigate financial risks, implement financial controls, and monitor compliance.

Person specification

This role is pivotal in ensuring compliance with public sector accounting standards, IFRS, and relevant legislation while delivering accurate and timely financial reporting across DEFRA and Devolved Governments.

You will lead a team of finance specialists, build strong stakeholder relationships, and provide insightful financial analysis to inform strategic and operational decisions. Success in this role requires exceptional leadership, technical accounting expertise, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment.

• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing a team, including mentoring and fostering leadership capability to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Holds a relevant accounting qualification (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent substantial experience in public sector finance and financial reporting.
• Proven experience in preparing statutory and non-statutory financial reports, ensuring compliance with public sector accounting standards, relevant legislation, and IFRS.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial issues clearly to senior audiences.
• Skilled in providing timely, relevant financial management information to support strategic decision-making, identifying risks and opportunities, and driving performance improvements.
• Strong technical accounting expertise across a range of financial disciplines, with the ability to apply these skills effectively to meet customer needs.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility and manage relationships with senior stakeholders across a broad network, both inside and outside government.
• Ability to interpret policy intentions and apply appropriate accounting treatments accurately.

Qualification/s

• Fully (or working towards) qualified accountant (CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA)

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Finance Knowledge

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,375, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £16,331 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 29th June 2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours and after 2pm on the closing date of 29th June 2026.

While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.

It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.

Online test maintenance

Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between midday to 1pm on 21st June 2026and 4pm to midnight on 28th June 2026. You will be unable to access tests during this period.

If you are in the middle of a test when the maintenance begins, your progress will be paused. You will be able to resume your test from where you left off via your application centre once the downtime has ended. Please note that you will not be able to launch any new tests while the system is offline.

Please note that online tests associated with this vacancy are not subject to time limits; for further information visit the Reasonable adjustments for online tests - a candidate guide

The numerical test will be used as an initial sift before a full application can be submitted. Full instructions and practice comparisons are provided immediately when you launch the test on the portal.

Once you have successfully completed the test you will be asked to progress with your application requesting:

• A CV detailing your career history, including any relevant qualifications and experience (this will be used for information only and will not be scored)
• A Personal Statement (max. 750 words) demonstrating how you meet the requirements of the job description, responsibilities, and essential criteria.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Using the STAR process will help achieve a structured document. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

The sift panel will use the information in your Personal Statement to assess your experience and knowledge.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and Interview dates are to be confirmed.

Interview Process Details

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to a video interview. This vacancy is using Civil Service Success Profiles and we will assess your experience, Behaviours and technical skill at interview.

During the interview candidates will be asked to deliver a presentation (topic and duration tbc)

You will also be asked questions based on the following Civil Service Behaviours;

• Managing a Quality Service

• Making Effective Decisions

• Seeing the Big Picture

• Delivering at Pace

Interviews to be held via video link. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Further Information

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Reserve List

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

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to DEFRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

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 Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as 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.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be 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 circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Higher Security Clearance

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Internal Fraud Database Check

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.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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 : CE People Team
• Email : cepeopleteam@defra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here