Strategic Finance roles

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Chief Operating Officer Group works closely with the Home Office’s policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department’s priorities. The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Security, Estates and Information and Digital, Data and Technology.

Our Finance Directorate ensures every pound delivers value for money, supports strategic decisions, and protects public trust. We provide professional finance advice and challenge which ensures that the Home Office delivers value for money to the taxpayer and protects the Accounting Officers in their responsibilities for regularity, propriety, value for money and feasibility on all spending decisions.

We embed finance into operational decision-making across key Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) programmes and other Home Office investment initiatives. Using a business partner model, we support strategic planning, operational control, and effective financial management through robust reporting and planning within challenging budgets.

The Finance Directorate comprises two Director roles with a Strategic and Operational focus.

The Strategic Finance Unit is a central finance function that combines finance with strategy within a political context. We lead the department’s relationship with HM Treasury and have the overarching objectives of securing the future funding requirements for the Home Office; ensuring resources are allocated to ministerial priorities; supporting the department to achieve maximum value for money; driving an ambitious productivity and efficiency programme and delivering the department’s fees policy.

Recent priorities have included delivering a successful Spending Review 2025 process, leading Secretary of State efficiency exercises, delivering the department’s Medium-Term Financial Plan, driving forward the productivity and efficiency agenda and implementing multiple fee changes. We enjoy an extensive network of stakeholders within the department and across government, including at senior levels, and the ability to work well in partnership is a core requirement for this role.

The team is comprised of finance professionals, as well as colleagues from strategy, private office, policy and operational backgrounds, across our sub-teams. This means that we benefit from a diverse skillset. We are geographically dispersed. We pride ourselves on being inclusive and empowering, with a strong focus on learning and development. We also do our best to facilitate a work environment that allows colleagues to feel safe to challenge.

Job description

The Financial Strategy, Financial Planning and Productivity & Efficiency teams work in close partnership on future year budgets alongside the Fees & Income Planning team and the wider Finance Directorate, including the Corporate, In-Year and Treasury Reporting (CITR) team to support the department in aligning financial strategy with ministerial priorities and operational delivery.

Role 1 - Financial Strategy Manager

The Financial Strategy team is responsible for leading the strategic approach to Spending Reviews and fiscal events, leading negotiations and working closely with cross-departmental stakeholders. They also manage the department’s relationship with HM Treasury on future years, ensuring effective engagement and compliance, and provide regular advice to the Executive Committee, Permanent Secretary and Ministers to support strategic decision making and optimise available funding.

The Financial Strategy Manager will work as part of a team of 7 (G6 lead, 4 x G7 Senior Financial Strategy Managers and 2 x SEO Financial Strategy Managers) to collaborate with Finance Business Partners and policy teams to integrate strategic finance into decision-making, including providing expert advice and assurance on submissions, briefings, and Accounting Officer advice. The post holder will provide high-quality financial advice, both verbal and written, to inform decision-making and resource allocation, develop and maintain strong relationships with HM Treasury to support funding negotiations and contribute to the development of strategic financial guidance and core lines to take.

Role 2 - Financial Planning Manager

The Financial Planning team are a newly created team, splitting from the existing Corporate Financial Planning team. The team set the overall framework and drive continued improvements in the quality of the department’s Medium Term Financial Plan, oversee the annual budget allocation process and maintain control of future years settlement.

The Financial Planning Manager will work as part of a team of 6 (G6 lead, 2 x G7 Senior Planning Managers, and 3 x SEO Planning Managers) to support delivery of financial planning and budget management activities, including budget allocation, transfers, and future-year reconciliations. The post holder will provide high‑quality financial analysis and advice to support strategic decision‑making, maintain robust financial data and systems (including transition to the Metis system), coordinate planning & allocation events, and work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders to ensure effective, timely, and aligned financial planning and reporting.

Role 3 - Productivity & Efficiency (P&E) Programme Manager

Having been created in early 2021 during Spending Review (SR) 2021 activity, the P&E team has become increasingly high profile. The role supports delivery of an ambitious P&E Programme, embedding SR 2025 commitments, and building on achievements to both support increased efficiency within the department and prepare for future SRs.

The P&E manager will work as part of a team of 4 (G6 lead, G7 deputy lead, and 2 SEO programme managers) to drive the P&E agenda within a network of cross-departmental stakeholders. The ability to see the big picture, collaborate across boundaries and see ideas through to successful delivery are key to the role. Also, key is the appetite to proactively identify problems, devising practical solutions and taking the actions necessary to make positive outcomes happen. The role requires the ability to be comfortable operating in uncertainty, and able to respond to change. Good written, organisational and planning skills are important, as is the ability to collaborate with others and present data in succinct and impactful ways.

If you want to influence strategy, work closely with senior stakeholders, and make finance central to decision-making, this is your opportunity.

Responsibilities (may vary slightly by role)

• Developing strategic insight into organisational priorities, stakeholders, and value delivery.
• Fostering collaborative partnerships across the Department and with HM Treasury or Sponsor Department for Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs).
• Leading on the preparation and delivery of Spending Reviews and Fiscal Events, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives.
• Driving strategic product development and providing leadership to deliver innovative finance solutions during spending reviews, business planning, and the allocation and monitoring of funding and expenditure through the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP).
• Providing insightful analysis and translating financial data, including through the use of advancing digital technologies, to inform evidence-based decision-making across the Department and with HM Treasury.
• Providing guidance and coordination with other finance functions on HM Treasury priorities and requirements. Lead the coordination of commissions ensuring consistency and compliance of financial submissions such as estimates and spending reviews.
• Leading the preparation of high-quality briefings for senior leaders and Ministers.
• Delivering timely ad-hoc analysis and presentations to support business and finance function needs.
• The post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities as expected in relation to the role and grade.

Working pattern

This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 4 days/28 hours per week due to business requirements.

Person specification

Essential Skills

• Able to work independently and proactively, utilising digital tools and applying data insights to drive productivity and achieve high-quality outputs on time. Confident in leading others on high-profile areas across the Department.
• Comfortable and confident in working at pace, managing complex and conflicting priorities in the long and short term.
• Builds strong, positive relationships with partners across teams and functions, influencing through excellent interpersonal and communication skills, tailored to the recipient.
• Experience of working successfully at senior levels within the Department or other organisation, navigating cross-government priorities and building effective partnerships to enable cohesive delivery.‑government priorities and building effective partnerships to enable cohesive delivery.
• Leads collaboratively with structure by designing clear timelines, processes, and ownership across interdependent workstreams to drive successful delivery of defined products and outcomes.
• Supports strategic financial advice and analysis on impact, performance, and risk to senior stakeholders, contributing insightfully to the financial cycle, reporting, and decision-making processes.

Desirable Skills

• Prior government experience.
• Qualifications – Qualified or Part Qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent or actively working towards qualification.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• New entrants to the Civil Service will be appointed at the pay scale minimum for that grade but an additional £4,000 allowance is applicable to SEO staff with a full CCAB qualification.
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
• See more of our benefits on our careers website.

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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 and Experience.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal information.

After submission of this first stage, you will be invited to complete the followingCivil Service Numerical andverbal reasoning tests.

1. 1. Online Tests – by 16th April 2026.

If you successfully pass the Numerical and Verbal reasoning tests, you will be invited to complete the full application form. Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). If you fail to complete the online tests or full application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.

Guidance for the Civil Service tests will be available when you are invited to take the tests. The online tests are accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.

You cannot complete the tests on a mobile phone or tablet.

Following successful completion of your tests, you will then be asked to complete the full application form.

2. Application – by 16th April 2026.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• CV.
• Evidence of Behaviours - Communicating and influencing - Lead Behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions and Delivering at Pace (maximum of 250 words per Behaviour).

Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.

For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

3. Sift – commencing 20th April 2026.

The sift will be held on the CV and Behaviours, as listed in the advert.

Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Lead Behaviour (Communicating and Influencing). Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of all the CV and remaining 3 behaviours. Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the initial sift will not have their remaining submitted elements scored and will only receive a sift score for that assessed at the initial sift.

4. Presentation assessment - commencing 12th May 2026.

Candidates who pass the full Sift will be invited to a separate Presentation Assessment (5 mins presentation and 5 mins Q/A). The presentation topic/scenario will be disclosed in advance to allow sufficient preparation time.

The presentation will be assessed against 'Behaviours' on the 'Success Profiles' and will be specifically assessed against the Behaviour Communicating and Influencing.

The Presentation Assessment will take place on Teams.

4. Interview – week commencing 1st June 2026.

If you are successful at both sift stage and presentation Assessment stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) based questions. All behaviours listed in the selection process will be scored at the interview.

The interview will take place on Teams.

For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.

Problems during the application process

If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.

Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.

Location preferences

You can select up to threelocations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred location(s) and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.

Reserve lists will be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.

Standards

All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Role preference

As part of the recruitment process, you will be given the opportunity to express your role preferences. Please bear in mind that any offers will be made in merit order, and we cannot provide an assurance that all successful candidates will be offered their preferred role.

Additional Security Checks

As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. The level of Criminal Record Check required for this role is [BASIC] Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.

Further information

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland 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.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.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

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

Feedback

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.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 : Home Office resourcing centre
• Email : HORCCampaignTeamCorporateEnablers@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

candidate_information_v16_January_2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 429kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)