Senior Finance Business Partner – Energy Security and Net Zero

Location: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford

About the job

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work at the forefront of current policy making decisions? Do you want to have an impact on the UK and beyond? If yes, then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you. Here at DESNZ we are delivering our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower, with clean electricity by 2030 and accelerating the UK’s journey to net zero. Our work is helping ensure clean energy for all, keep bills down and seize the opportunities to lead the world in new green industries, taking back control of our energy with Great British Energy and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference. Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it’s impactful.

Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are bold, we are collaborative, we are inclusive, and we learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive. We offer great working benefits including a world‑class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Job description

The Government's energy and net zero policy remains highly prominent, with a heightened emphasis on ensuring the UK's energy security and advancing the nation towards its net zero goals. As a Senior Finance Business Partner (G6) for one of the major policy and delivery areas within the department you will develop close relationships with the business areas, senior leaders across relevant portfolios and the Director General overseeing these portfolios. Your role will involve working as a trusted adviser, influencing and collaborating within the business and Finance. You will work seamlessly with other corporate colleagues, notably in analysis, commercial, and delivery, to provide a coherent and aligned way forward. You will also build strong, collaborative relationships with HMT (His Majesty's Treasury) colleagues, working to deliver for the government and ensure relevant advice and steers are provided as we seek to agree our financial settlements and secure relevant approvals.

You will provide strategic financial leadership, assurance and Business Partnering for key Energy Security and Net Zero projects and portfolios, ensuring robust financial planning, governance, and value for money. Potential responsibilities will depend on specific portfolio responsibilities, but as an example could include providing Finance advice to policymakers whose remit includes energy bills, markets and suppliers, and the capacity, resilience and security of the system, or supporting the delivery of some of our biggest capital projects. There are opportunities to contribute finance advice on long‑term strategy and risk mitigation, advise and assure the development and approval of business cases involving significant spending commitments, as well as play a key role in Finance’s response to special situations and world events affecting the energy system and prices.

Person specification

• Ensure SROs (Senior Responsibility Owners) for policies and programmes receive excellent financial advice.
• Support SROs in meeting their objectives, including advising on relevant controls and standards.
• Provide the Accounting Officer with clear, balanced and pragmatic advice where action or inaction by the department presents a significant risk to his duties.
• Improve the business’ ability to plan and forecast accurately, with clarity of the connection between finance and delivery of outputs and outcomes.
• Work with other professions to provide integrated expert advice.
• Ensure your team is engaged, motivated and delivering at its best, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Play a full role in the Finance Business Partner SLT as one of our team leaders.
• As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance.

Essential Criteria

• A track record of providing excellent advice at pace to secure effective delivery and value for money for the public.
• Building strong collaborative relationships at senior levels which deliver good outcomes even when objectives may be in conflict.
• Outstanding ability to communicate (orally and written) a complex financial picture with clarity and accuracy to the most senior decision-makers.
• Ability to develop and lead a diverse and high‑performing team, building professional capability to deliver results both in the short and long term.
• Familiarity with central government finance policies and protocols and an understanding of how to apply these principles to novel situations and scenarios.
• Advanced financial modelling and analytical capability.
• A strong grasp of accounting principles, as applied to Central Government.
• Impeccable professional and ethical standards.

Desirable Criteria

• A full accountancy qualification (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent) is desirable, though part-qualified applicants and/or those with substantial experience in public spending control will also be considered if committed to qualification.

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Leadership.