Head of Due Diligence and Investment Appraisal

Location Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Location Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford Job Summary About the job As Head of Due Diligence and Investment Appraisal, you will provide strategic leadership for DBIST’s specialist financial assessment function, setting the direction for how financial viability, deliverability, value for money and risk are assessed across high-profile grant and investment proposals. You will own the standards, assurance approach and senior advice that support Ministers, boards and senior decision-makers to take evidence-based funding decisions that protect public money while enabling economic growth. Job Description As a senior leader, you will lead a team of specialist accountants and expert delivery partners, building capability across DBIST and ensuring robust due diligence, investment appraisal and financial risk assessment are embedded across the grant and investment portfolio. You will influence senior officials, Ministers, external advisers, other government departments and business leaders, using your professional judgement to provide clear advice on complex corporate finance, business case and subsidy issues. Your work will help DBIST deploy public funds confidently, secure investment across the UK and safeguard taxpayer value in line with Government Grant Standards, Managing Public Money and DBIST’s assurance framework. Head of Due Diligence and Investment Appraisal Key Responsibilities Set the strategic direction for DBIST’s due diligence and investment appraisal function, ensuring financial assessment activity is aligned to DBIST and wider HMG economic objectives. Own and continuously improve the assurance standards, guidance and operating model for Financial Significant experience of investment appraisal, financial due diligence, corporate finance, financial viability assessment or equivalent senior financial assessment work, with the ability to apply professional judgement to complex, high-value or high-risk cases. Strong understanding of value for money, business cases, financial risk, subsidy considerations, grant assurance and the stewardship of public money, including the ability to apply Government Grant Standards, Managing Public Money and departmental assurance requirements in practice. Ability to operate credibly with senior executives, Finance Directors, external advisers, senior officials and Ministers, providing clear advice, constructive challenge and confident recommendations in real time. Strategic leadership capability, including setting direction, prioritising across a portfolio, anticipating risk, improving systems and influencing how financial assessment supports DBT’s wider economic objectives. Proven ability to deliver through others, including leading specialist teams, developing capability, delegating effectively, managing performance and creating an inclusive culture of trust, empowerment and professional excellence. Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex financial evidence into succinct advice for senior decision-makers. Strong organisational judgement and resilience, with the ability to manage conflicting priorities, make timely decisions under pressure and maintain quality across multiple live schemes and cases. Full member of CCAB body (e.g., ICAEW or Scottish equivalent, ACCA or CIMA). Memberships Full member of CCAB body (e.g., ICAEW or Scottish equivalent, ACCA or CIMA) Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Seeing the Big Picture Managing a Quality Service Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Technical Skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Significant experience of investment appraisal, financial due diligence, corporate finance, financial viability assessment or senior financial assessment work, with the ability to apply judgement to complex, high-value or high-risk cases. #J-18808-Ljbffr