Band 1 Head of Finance in London

The purpose of the role is to lead the Finance function within ONR, ensuring strong internal control, compliance with government finance standards, and confidence in our financial systems, reporting and processes. You will be leading a team of approximately 15 colleagues who are primarily based in Bootle and London. The scope of the role includes financial and management accounting, statutory reporting, budgetary control, business partnering, treasury management, performance reporting and charging for our regulatory services. The successful candidate will work closely with the Finance Director and will be expected to present their team’s output at meetings including our Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

The key responsibilities for the role are summarised below:

• Financial stewardship – You will ensure sound financial management of ONR including its compliance with Management Public Money (MPM), the Financial Reporting Manual (FreM) and other guidance such as government functional standards.
• Enabling operational delivery – You will be advising senior leaders and budget-holders on financial matters that enable operational delivery.
• People skills – You will be leading a team of approximately 15 colleagues and will be managing relationships with counterparts in government departments including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• External impact – You will be engaging with external stakeholders on financial matters including our external auditors, government departments and the entities that we regulate.
• Decision making – You will be empowered to make operational decisions on the management of the Finance function.
• Innovation – You will be expected to consider how we can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of both the Finance function and ONR as a whole.

In delivering these key responsibilities, you will be expected to:

• Act as the strategic and operational lead for all matters relating to financial and management accounting, statutory reporting, budgetary control, business partnering, treasury management and charging processes.
• Enhance the quality of finance support by providing internal and external stakeholders with a single source of timely and accurate financial information supported by expert insight.
• Provide proactive and professional advice to the Finance Director and senior leaders on financial matters, including compliance with relevant guidance.
• Lead on the financial aspects of the business planning process.
• Support the professional development of all colleagues within the Finance function to ensure we have the appropriate capacity and capability in the function.
• Undertake ad hoc project-based work, including in response to changes in the nuclear sector and/or government policy.
• Contribute to improving the quality of management information available to senior decision makers.
• Identify and collaboratively deliver efficiency improvements, including cost-saving measures.
• Support the empowerment of individuals and embed accountability through the delegation of financial authority to budget-holders.
• Maintain and strengthen the confidence of regulated entities and government departments in ONR’s approach to charging for its services.
• Support the Accountable Officer and Finance Director in ensuring that ONR is compliant with Managing Public Money, the Accountable Officer’s delegated authority and ONR’s legal vires.
• Contribute to the collective leadership of the organisation, embodying our values of Accountable, Open-minded, Fair, and Supportive.
• Act as a positive role model inspiring ONR staff to work towards ONR being a modern, agile and productive regulator with an inclusive culture.

As part of this role, there will be an expectation to manage staff. The Head of Finance is expected to act as the line manager of our Head of Financial Accounting, Head of Finance Business Partnering and Head of Charging & Cost Recovery.

This post may be undertaken from a base at Bootle, London or Cheltenham. If based in Bootle, you must be willing to travel to London or Cheltenham when there is a business need. If based in London, you must be willing to travel to Bootle or Cheltenham when there is a business need. ONR operates hybrid working (working in the office and or at home) as part of our flexible working policy.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We will consider reasonable adjustments to ensure the recruitment process is inclusive and barrier-free. If you require reasonable adjustments as part of your application, please contact ONR HR as soon as possible, preferably before the vacancy closes, to discuss further.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo and obtain security clearance to Security Check (SC) level. Applicants are not required to hold security clearance prior to applying.

The essential skills and experience for this role are:

• Communication skills – The ability to communicate financial information to internal and external stakeholders in an understandable, insightful and credible manner.
• Relationship management skills – The ability to develop professional and mutually respectful relationships with internal and stakeholders, including at Board and senior leadership level.
• Decision-making skills – The ability to show sound judgement in making decisions and to provide robust recommendations and advice to internal stakeholders.
• Experience of leading and developing high performing Finance teams.
• Experience of preparing Annual Report and Accounts.

The desirable skills and experience for this role are:

• Experience of the external audit process.
• Experience of applying government finance guidance including Managing Public Money, Financial Reporting Manual, Green Book and the Government Functional Standard for finance.

Essential qualifications: Member of CCAB accountancy body: ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS or Chartered Accountants Ireland.