At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and provide key advice to the Board and Executive team.
- Company: Join HS2 Ltd, a pioneering organisation shaping the UK's high-speed rail network.
- Benefits: Flexible working, personal development opportunities, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to safety, respect, and integrity.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on a transformative project that boosts the economy and creates jobs.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in financial leadership and strategic decision-making.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.
Please note that this role can be based in Birmingham. HS2 Ltd endeavours to ensure everyone working for us and with us feels included, thrives and achieves their full potential. In practice, this means we are positive and inclusive about making adjustments, providing flexible working, encouraging our staff networks to flourish and providing personal and professional development opportunities.
Job Purpose
To provide strategic financial, legal and commercial advice and support to the Board and Executive team. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key strategic and business critical leadership position on the HS2 Ltd Executive Team, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. The role holder will be instrumental in setting, directing, and monitoring the business and delivery strategy for the HS2 programme within the agreed prerequisites of schedule cost quality and safety. In addition, the Chief Financial Officer leads the CFO Directorate and will be accountable for financial planning, management and reporting, ensuring fit with available funding and compliance with regulations. The role holder will work closely with external stakeholders to enable the efficient and economic operation of HS2 Ltd. As well as being a member of the Executive Committee, the Chief Financial Officer will be appointed to the Board subsequently and will attend other Governance meetings with the Department for Transport in its capacity as Sponsor for the HS2 programme. He/she can also expect to attend meetings with Senior Government officials and Ministers, up to and including the Secretary of State for Transport and more broadly across Whitehall. He/she will be asked to deputise for the CEO, as required.
About The Role
- To have direct responsibility for strategic business, operational and financial planning across all the Directorates within HS2 Ltd.
- Work with the CCO to support the Executive & Board on major commercial and cost-based decisions, ensuring that short and long-term viability and risk is taken into account.
- Advise the CEO, Executive Committee and Board to inform decisions that enable HS2 Ltd to meet its fiduciary responsibilities.
- Provide assurance on organisation & project performance and progress to other government bodies, including the Department for Transport (DfT) and HM Treasury and other review bodies as required.
- Accountable for the performance of the internal controls environment to ensure that the organisation delivers the programme within agreed budgets and to time quality and safety.
- Establish and direct effective systems to analyse and compare performance against internal targets and external statutory obligations and government policy on “Managing Public Money”.
- Work with the CCO to provide expert advice on future commercial and major capital opportunities that will allow HS2 Ltd to deliver the programme and realise the wider economic benefits.
- Provide strategic direction on the maintenance and development of HS2 Ltd.’s financial capability considering the wider organisation’s complexity and risk.
- Chair internal and external committees as necessary.
- Ensure HS2 remains compliant with Financial, Assurance & Legal regulations and standards.
- Oversight of the Assurance and Risk Function, ensuring the development and implementation of enterprise and strategic risk management.
- Oversight of Actual Cost Assurance, ensuring that HS2 are complying with the obligations set out in HM Treasury’s Managing Public Money, and ensuring the processing of final accounting of taxpayers’ money is effectively managed.
- Oversight of the Counter Fraud & Investigations function, ensuring the development and implementation of HS2’s policy and the resulting strategy for fraud, risks and investigations overall.
- Oversight of the IT and Legal Functions, ensuring HS2-wide system interoperability and integration and maintaining transparency and accountability in all legal dealings.
- Actively promote and embed Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work, and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI.
Skills About You
- Ability to operate at Executive and Board level within a major capital programme undertaking significant value and high-profile programmes of work.
- Influencing & negotiation skills including influencing the decisions of the Executive committee, Board, government and private sector stakeholders and programme Directors.
- Ability to provide effective and constructive challenge with senior colleagues to improve business performance.
- Ability to advise on strategic commercial decisions at senior level, including high level government, public and private sector stakeholders.
- Ability to produce high quality work to deadline with complex and varied workstreams.
- Public Speaking Skills – including the ability to represent the project with external stakeholders, politicians, and the media.
- Strategy Development and implementation skills – including the ability to develop vision, strategy and implementation plans to deliver business objectives.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of the UK and international context surrounding HS2, which includes having insight into the political and environmental implications for the programme.
- Knowledge of policies and governance procedures impacting on finance within a Non-Departmental Public Body or Central Government Department.
- Understanding of leading a multi-disciplinary team including legal experts and other professional specialisms.
- Qualified member of a recognised accountancy body or holder of an equivalent qualification or accreditation.
- Understanding of the Hybrid Bill and Parliamentary processes, specifically the demands of stakeholder consultation and engagement.
Experience
- Experience of leading and developing a broad ranging function for complex major operations in the UK, Europe or globally, including the management of multi-discipline project teams requiring capability development.
- Experience of leading functional teams to provide cost effective services to the organisation.
- Experience of leading the successful transformation or development of a large, complex, outcome focussed delivery organisation, achieving significant improvements in efficiency, effectiveness and customer service.
- Experience of navigating local and national stakeholder complexity to secure major infrastructure programme outcomes including at local and national Government levels.
We ask for a variety of detail in your online application, however we perform the first assessment of suitability for a role based solely on the information in your CV. In a further development of our efforts to create a more diverse workforce, your CV will be anonymised and personal information will be removed during the first stage of the application review. This removes bias from the process and makes it even more important that you attach an updated word version of your CV for each new application ensuring you include evidence directly related to the criteria in the job advert. Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
About Us
High Speed 2 (HS2 Ltd) will be the UK’s new high speed rail network. As well as improving capacity, the new scheme will shorten journey times between a number of Britain’s major population centres, boost the economy and create thousands of jobs. HS2 Ltd will create a skills legacy and develop a diverse range of talent. We aim to be a leader in EDI practice by creating a safe & inclusive working environment for all our staff - living our values of Safety, Respect, Integrity and Leadership. In practice, this means we are positive and inclusive about making adjustments, providing flexible working, encouraging our staff networks to flourish and providing personal and professional development opportunities. HS2 Ltd is also a safety-critical organisation. Employees are required to ensure reasonable care of their own and others’ health and safety by taking personal responsibility for working to our ‘Safe at Heart’ programme principles and following safe working procedures at all times. HS2 Ltd endeavours to ensure everyone working for us and with us feels included, thrives and achieves their full potential.
Chief Financial Officer in Birmingham employer: HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd
HS2 Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in Birmingham where employees are encouraged to thrive and reach their full potential. With a strong commitment to personal and professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion, HS2 Ltd fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation. As a key player in the UK's high-speed rail network, employees have the unique opportunity to contribute to transformative projects that will shape the future of transportation while enjoying a supportive and engaging workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at HS2 Ltd. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching HS2 Ltd thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the role of Chief Financial Officer.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your public speaking skills! As a CFO, you'll need to represent HS2 Ltd in front of various stakeholders. Try mock interviews or presentations to build your confidence and ensure you can communicate your ideas clearly and effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in strategic financial planning and leadership, as these are key for the CFO role.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Chief Financial Officer role. Highlight your strategic financial experience and any relevant leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with what HS2 Ltd is looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead complex projects and improve business performance. This will help us see the impact you've made in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised and efficient during the review process.
How to prepare for a job interview at HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Chief Financial Officer, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them to drive strategic decisions in previous roles. This shows you can provide the strategic financial advice HS2 Ltd is looking for.
✨Understand the HS2 Vision
Familiarise yourself with HS2's goals and the broader context of the project. Knowing the political and environmental implications will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their mission. This will also show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the organisation.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
You’ll likely face questions about your experience with stakeholders at various levels. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated complex stakeholder environments, especially in government or public sectors. This will highlight your influencing and negotiation skills.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
HS2 Ltd values leadership and team development. Be ready to discuss your approach to leading multi-disciplinary teams and how you've fostered an inclusive environment. Share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to inspire and drive performance across diverse groups.
