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- Tasks: Lead financial strategies for PFI projects, ensuring smooth transitions and safeguarding public assets.
- Company: Department for Education, a key player in shaping the future of education infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a respected team at the forefront of PFI policy with excellent career development prospects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education while working in a collaborative and purpose-driven environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive PFI experience, strong stakeholder influence, and a deep understanding of contract lifecycles.
The predicted salary is between 70854 - 82869 £ per year.
The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking an exceptional finance leader to take on a nationally significant role at the heart of its Private Finance programme. Over the next decade, a large number of school PFI contracts will reach expiry, creating a critical opportunity to safeguard public assets, ensure value for money and support the smooth transition of vital education infrastructure.
As PFI Finance Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering this complex programme, working across a portfolio of high-profile projects. This is a unique opportunity to apply deep PFI expertise in a strategic and impactful environment.
You will lead on providing financial advice across PFI expiry projects, working closely with legal and technical specialists as part of a multidisciplinary team. You will engage with local authorities, schools, investors and central government stakeholders, supporting negotiations, managing risks and ensuring robust financial outcomes.
You will also contribute to the strategic direction of the programme, advising senior leaders and Ministers, and helping to develop best practice, tools and guidance across the sector. This is a highly visible role requiring strong judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to translate complex financial models into clear, actionable insight.
We are looking for a candidate with extensive experience advising on PFI projects, preferably with expertise in the schools sector, with a strong understanding of the full contract lifecycle and proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across both public and private sectors.
In return, you will join a highly regarded specialist team at the forefront of PFI policy and delivery, working on issues of real public importance while benefiting from the flexibility, development opportunities and strong values of the Civil Service. The DFE offers a collaborative, purpose-driven environment where your work will have real impact on the public, alongside flexible working and the opportunity to shape the future of the school estate.
PFI Finance Manager employer: Department for Education
Contact Detail:
Department for Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PFI Finance Manager
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance and education sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. The more you engage, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they hit the job boards!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your insights on PFI projects and how you've tackled challenges in the past. This is your moment to shine and show them why you're the perfect fit for the role.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework on the Department for Education and their PFI initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your commercial awareness and judgement.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace PFI Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the PFI Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience with PFI projects and any relevant financial expertise. We want to see how your background aligns with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your work in the schools sector and how you've influenced stakeholders in the past.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen: Since this role requires strong financial judgement, make sure to showcase your skills in translating complex financial models into actionable insights. We love seeing candidates who can break down complicated concepts!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at the Department for Education.
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Education
✨Know Your PFI Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects, especially in the education sector. Understand the full contract lifecycle and be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your expertise.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about how you've successfully engaged with various stakeholders in the past. Think about your approach to negotiations and how you’ve managed risks while ensuring robust financial outcomes. This role requires strong judgement, so be ready to showcase your commercial awareness.
✨Translate Complexity into Clarity
Practice explaining complex financial models in simple terms. The interviewers will want to see if you can provide clear, actionable insights. Use examples from your previous roles where you had to break down complicated information for senior leaders or non-financial stakeholders.
✨Show Your Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss how you would contribute to the strategic direction of the PFI programme. Think about best practices and tools you could develop or improve upon. Highlight any experience you have advising senior leaders and how you’ve influenced decision-making in your past roles.