Commercial Finance Manager

Job content

Location

Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham

Summary

About The Job

You will be working in BDUK’s Commercial Finance team which sits within the Commercial function in BDUK. Commercial Finance brings together analytical and commercial disciplines to support successful contract, supplier and programme management.

This role involves delivering Value for Money analysis and assurance across each stage of the procurement and contract lifestyle through the Google Cloud Platform. Using multiple data sources from a variety of stakeholders, you will use the latest cloud computing and data analysis tools to provide vital analysis to BDUK’s programme delivery and commercial teams and carry out value for money assurance at each stage of the procurement and contract life cycle.

You will have excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complicated analytical techniques to a variety of stakeholders and use your knowledge of commercial and financial principles to provide Value for Money support and guidance to BDUK’s project and commercial managers.

Job Description

The successful candidate will be:

Evaluating bid pricing submissions, assessing value for money (VFM) representation in those bids, assessing supplier viability to meet contractual obligations;

Assuring all stages of the procurement lifecycle from bid stage to contract closure;

Applying commercial and value for money VFM standards to commercial challenges;

Analysing financial and delivery data from a VFM perspective;

Presenting analytical techniques and outcomes to a variety of stakeholders, both technical and non-technical;

Identifying and continually refining requirements that support the Data function with the creation of automated VFM dashboards, reports and forecasts using a variety of data visualisation software;

Using analytical techniques such as forecasting and regression to predict financial outcome of contracts;

Identifying and implementing improvements to existing reporting tools and templates;

Offering VFM support and guidance to colleagues; and

Sharing technical knowledge and skill within the Commercial Finance team and other teams in BDUK.

Responsibilities

Person Specification

An accountancy qualification or equivalent relevant experience;

Modelling and analysis of financial and performance data experience;

An understanding of contractual agreements and financial terminology;

An understanding of data cleansing and handling, particularly large datasets from several sources;

Experience

d in using statistical methods to provide forecasting, modelling, and reporting;

Project management and planning skills; and

Excellent communication skills, able to explain complicated analytical techniques to a variety of stakeholders.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
  

Benefits

You’ll receive over 30% of your total compensation package in benefits:

Flexible working arrangements and Flexi-time

26.5 days annual leave on entry increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service.

Exceptional contributory pension scheme

5 days of paid leave for L&D

3 days of paid volunteering

Parental leave up to 9 months on FULL pay

Occupational sick pay

Brilliant and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, BAME, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Women’s Network.

Access to one of the world’s largest learning and development platforms

Masterclasses and talks through the DCMS Academy

Season ticket loan, Cycle to work scheme and much more!

SCS T&C’s will vary, please refer to the attached candidate information pack to find out more.

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check . See our vetting charter .

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application Process

Please submit your CV and supporting statement (maximum 750 words) by 23:55 on 8 July via the CS Jobs portal.

Your CV should set out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements.

Your supporting Statement of Suitability (max. 750 words) should explain how your personal skills, qualities and experience make you a suitable candidate for the role.

Part of the application process will require you to complete a diversity questionnaire. You will have the option to select ‘prefer not to say’ but this information is very important to the Civil Service.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with: dcms.recruitment@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you do not receive acknowledgement of your application within 48 hours, please contact the above email address.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel who will look at the Qualifications, Skills and Experience provided in the submitted CVs and Supporting Statements. Please note, your application must provide evidence of the skills & experience outlined in the key criteria to be progressed to the next stage.

First Stage Interview/Assessment

Candidates successful at the review stage may be invited to attend a first stage interview/assessment.

Interview

During the interview process, candidates will be asked to provide further evidence of their skills and experience. Interviews may also include an additional assessment or presentation exercise. The interview will be a blended assessment consisting of a series of questions against the Civil Service Success Profiles Behaviours and Strengths.

The Following Behaviours Will Be Assessed At Interview

Seeing the Big Picture / Making Effective Decisions / Communicating & Influencing

Please note feedback will only be given if you attend an assessment or interview

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 DCMSRecruitment.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.

Concerns/Complaints

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact ( recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk ) in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/

Further Information

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

The expectation within DCMS is that staff will normally remain in post for a minimum of 12 months for band C, 18 months for band B and 24 months for band A/AU and will not apply for DCMS roles on level transfer during that time.

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.

Interviews are held remotely and successful candidates get to experience our bespoke remote on-boarding process. Although initially remotely, the role will be based at the location stated in this advert.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland /Access NI 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 Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Any move to DCMS will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the candidate information pack.

A reserve list will be held for 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

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

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

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.