Public Sector Finance & Commercial Director

The Finance and Commercial team are an enabler for IPSA, offering vital support to internal and external stakeholders to ensure MPs have the funding and services they need for their parliamentary and constituency work. The team is responsible for all aspects of financial support from management accounting, finance business partnering and financial control, setting and managing the Main Estimate, MP budgets and IPSA spend, alongside commercial activity, including procurement and contract negotiation for IPSA and MP services.

The Director, Finance and Commercial leads an efficient and effective high‑performing service that delivers IPSA’s statutory responsibilities accurately and with confidence. The role is a key member of IPSA’s leadership team, attending Board meetings and committees, and representing IPSA with external partners including auditors and regulators. Working with colleagues, you’ll help deliver IPSA’s vision, purpose and strategic priorities. With a strong focus on integrity, you’ll oversee an annual budget of more than £310m. You’ll ensure IPSA’s finance and commercial arrangements are principles‑based, proportionate and compliant, supported by robust governance that delivers value for money for the taxpayer and strengthens public confidence in IPSA’s work. This role reports directly to the CEO and Accounting Officer and has four direct reports with up to nine indirect reports.

Job Description

• Leading a high‑performing Finance and Commercial directorate through inclusive, values‑led leadership, building capability, resilience and an agile culture.
• Shaping and delivering IPSA’s strategy and business plans, balancing transformation, regulatory change and day‑to‑day delivery.
• Providing strong financial stewardship and corporate governance: effective budgeting and forecasting, clear risk management, and timely escalation of issues to the CEO.
• Clear on the principles of managing public money and considering the Accounting Officer’s position in all relevant decisions.
• Ensuring accurate, prompt reimbursement of MPs’ business costs and consistent, principles‑based application of the Scheme, supported by high‑quality management information for MPs and staff.
• Delivering insightful reporting and advice to the Board, the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee, CEO and Leadership team, enabling robust decision‑making and value for money.
• Building trusted relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, providing a high‑quality service in a high‑scrutiny environment and protecting IPSA’s independence and reputation.
• Responsible for continuous improvement of financial controls ensuring all controls operate effectively and provide assurance over the completeness and accuracy of all financial information including IPSA’s Annual Report and Accounts.
• Leading commercial activity, working with the Head of Commercial to run compliant, proportionate procurement and manage suppliers to secure value, resilience and service quality.
• Living IPSA’s values: Staying Connected, Seeing the Bigger Picture, Being Open, Doing the Right Thing and Making a Difference – and demonstrating commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life.

Person Specification

You’ll be an accomplished leader who cares about supporting democracy and delivering regulation through excellent service. You’ll bring clarity, credibility and calm, working collaboratively in a complex, high‑profile environment to deliver IPSA’s strategy. With a positive influence on how our stakeholders feel about us, you’ll build trust, strengthening confidence in IPSA and democracy more widely. You’ll invest in your team, setting clear expectations, encouraging accountability, and constructively challenging behaviours and ways of working to align with IPSA’s culture. You’ll bring strong judgement, resilience, and curiosity and you’ll be comfortable challenging assumptions to help IPSA navigate opportunities and tough decisions. With deep expertise in finance, financial risk, and commercial strategy, you’ll deliver value for money and strengthen financial capability across the organisation. You’ll have an uncompromising approach to corporate governance and risk management, working confidently with the IPSA Leadership team and Board. You’ll develop people and capability in the team, ensuring people live and breathe IPSA’s values, perform at their best and feel valued.

The experience and technical level required for the role, along with personal qualities, skills, attributes, and qualifications are listed below.

• Strategic leader with a strong track record in a high‑profile, public‑facing organisation.
• CCAB/CIMA (or equivalent) qualified, with senior financial leadership experience and stewardship of public money.
• Expert in public‑sector financial planning, control and reporting, including budget setting and analysis to drive value for money; strong commercial/procurement capability.
• Inclusive, collaborative leader who inspires high‑performing teams across diverse and dispersed settings.
• Proven delivery of transformation (including digital) and continuous improvement against clear performance measures.
• Experience in a principles‑based regulatory environment, with strong grasp of governance, assurance and risk.
• Confident communicator and influencer, able to handle sensitive issues with tact and build trusted senior relationships.