At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic capital planning and investment decisions for London's police service.
- Company: Join the Metropolitan Police Service, a vital part of London’s community.
- Benefits: Impactful work with competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on public service and community impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of policing in one of the world's most diverse cities.
- Qualifications: Experience in capital finance and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
The Metropolitan Police Service is undertaking one of the most significant transformation journeys in UK public service. Through New Met for London, the organisation is investing in the technology, estate, fleet and specialist equipment needed to support modern policing and improve outcomes for the capital’s communities. That investment agenda is complex, high-value and strategically important. With no general capital grant available, the Met must make careful choices about borrowing, affordability, prioritisation and long-term value for money. Finance therefore sits at the centre of decisions that will shape the organisation’s future capability.
As Thematic Lead: Capital, you will play a key role in developing the financial insight, modelling and challenge needed to support those decisions. You will help the Met understand what it can afford, where investment should be prioritised, and how capital choices affect the organisation’s wider financial strategy. This is an opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys strategic capital planning, investment appraisal and complex public sector funding challenges and who wants their work to support policing services across one of the world’s most diverse cities.
About the role
As Thematic Lead: Capital, you will support the development, management and strategic oversight of the Met’s capital programme. This will include work across estates, technology, fleet and specialist equipment, ensuring investment plans are forward-looking, prioritised and aligned with the organisation’s medium and long-term financial strategy. You will work closely with the Head of Strategic Finance, Deputy Chief Finance Officer, Investment and Scrutiny colleagues, Finance Business Partnering teams, Commercial, MOPAC, the Home Office and other key stakeholders.
This is a strategic and analytical finance role requiring strong technical judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to translate complex capital, funding and affordability analysis into clear advice for senior decision-makers.
Key responsibilities
- Support the development of a forward-looking, prioritised capital investment plan across estates, technology, fleet and specialist equipment.
- Assess capital affordability, phasing and funding options, including borrowing, capital grants and asset disposals.
- Align the capital programme with the Medium-Term Financial Plan and wider organisational strategy.
- Lead on the development of financial information, modelling and analysis to support management decision-making.
- Monitor in-year performance against the capital budget, reforecasting where required and reporting progress to senior leaders and external stakeholders.
- Provide financial input and challenge into capital business cases, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, whole-life costing and value for money.
- Support capital accounting, financial reporting, government returns, grant claims and the production of capital-related information for business planning.
- Model funding, income and expenditure scenarios, including sensitivity testing, to support strategic and democratic decision-making.
- Identify commercial and financial risks within the capital programme and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Advise on opportunities to maximise available capital investment funding and reduce borrowing costs for the Met.
About you
You will bring strong experience in capital finance, strategic financial planning or investment appraisal within a large and complex organisation. Public sector experience would be particularly relevant, especially where you have worked with capital programmes, funding constraints, governance frameworks, borrowing strategies or major investment decisions. Experience of engaging with treasury functions and understanding the implications of financing choices would also be valuable.
You may be CCAB, CIMA or equivalent qualified, or in the final stages of qualification, and will be able to demonstrate the technical and analytical capability required to operate credibly in a strategic finance environment.
You will also offer:
- Strong analytical and judgement skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and draw clear conclusions.
- Experience of business analytics, investment appraisal, budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
- Knowledge of financial management and planning within complex organisations.
- Understanding of public sector capital, procurement, contract management and financial governance.
- The ability to assess commercial impacts, model scenarios and develop financial mitigation strategies.
- Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Clear communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information to senior non-finance stakeholders.
- The confidence to influence senior leaders while balancing customer focus with professional financial challenge.
- A proactive, improvement-focused approach and the ability to support better ways of working across the finance function.
Why join the Metropolitan Police Service?
This role offers the chance to work on investment decisions that directly affect the Met’s ability to serve London. The capital programme supports the buildings, systems, vehicles and specialist assets that enable officers and staff to operate effectively, respond to changing demand and deliver for communities.
For a capital finance specialist, the scale and complexity are a major draw. You will be working in an environment where investment choices are high-profile, funding is constrained, and the quality of financial modelling and challenge has a direct impact on organisational decision-making. You will also be contributing to a public service mission with real social value. The Met serves one of the most diverse populations in the world, and its work affects millions of people every day. By supporting better capital planning and value-for-money decisions, you will help ensure resources are targeted towards the infrastructure and capability London needs.
The Strategic Finance team plays a critical role in supporting integrated business planning, medium and long-term financial strategy, and engagement with major external stakeholders including MOPAC and the Home Office. You will be part of a team with an outward-facing mindset, helping the organisation navigate funding choices, transformation demands and long-term investment priorities.
You will also be supported by Met Business Services, a centralised service delivery model focused on delivering value and efficiency across the Met. This provides a platform for more standardised processes, trusted data and better self-service across Finance, HR and Commercial functions.
For a finance professional who wants to apply capital expertise in a role with scale, complexity and purpose, this is a compelling opportunity to help shape the future capability of policing in London.
Thematic Lead - Capital in London employer: MLC Partners
The Metropolitan Police Service is an exceptional employer, offering finance professionals the opportunity to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts the safety and well-being of London’s diverse communities. With a strong focus on public service, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture, robust professional development opportunities, and the chance to influence high-stakes investment decisions within a complex and dynamic environment. Joining the Met means being part of a mission-driven organisation where your expertise in capital finance can lead to tangible improvements in policing services across one of the world's most significant cities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Thematic Lead - Capital in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
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Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like MLC Partners. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Thematic Lead - Capital in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to MLC Partners.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on MLC Partners's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MLC Partners
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with MLC Partners.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at MLC Partners will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former MLC Partners employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
