Assistant Director - Special Situations Group - London

UK Government Investments provides the Government with expertise in corporate finance and governance. We are responsible for ensuring the effective governance of Government owned companies, advising on significant UK Government asset sales, and corporate finance negotiations, including interventions into distressed corporate situations. The work we do has a significant social, economic, and political impact.

The UKGI team comprises 150 experts with prior experience in the private sector (mainly banks, accountancy, and legal firms) and the Civil Service, ensuring we provide Government departments with high-quality advice that can be acted upon effectively.

Working for UKGI offers a unique opportunity for talented individuals with experience in both the public and private sectors to contribute to work of national importance. Please note that this role can be based in either Leeds or London.

The Special Situations Group within UKGI provides specialist restructuring advice to Government Ministers and Departments interested in financially distressed organisations or sectors of the economy. We are currently recruiting individuals with around 5-10 years of experience in financial restructuring.

As an Assistant Director, you will coordinate the Government’s response to a distressed situation, undertake financial and commercial analysis, and contribute to advice for senior officials and Ministers. You will have strong communication and influencing skills, be recognised as an experienced participant in your field, and engage convincingly with a range of senior stakeholders.

Key duties and responsibilities include:

• Analysing a range of information (financial and non-financial) to determine the timing and criticality of any impact to Government.
• Inputting into the across-government design of policies and procedures for managing critical impacts and potential interdependencies.
• Contributing to advice for Ministers and senior officials on available options, including mechanisms for financial intervention where there is a value for money case.
• Advising Government departments on preparing contingency plans to ensure continuity of supply amid concerns regarding a supplier’s financial sustainability.
• Working closely with department officials and external advisors to achieve Government objectives during any action or restructuring.
• Representing the Special Situations Group within UKGI and supporting collaborative working.
• Handling multiple cases and being part of various project teams, ensuring senior individuals within UKGI and other Government departments are engaged and briefed on key issues.
• Identifying issues and challenges where the expertise of the Special Situations Group can be applied for maximum impact.
• Developing effective working relationships with officials across Government departments.
• Representing the Special Situations Group and UKGI among the financial restructuring community and managing stakeholder relationships.

This list is not exhaustive, and the post-holder will be required to carry out other tasks as needed.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Excellent commercial and restructuring capability, including assessment of business plans and cash flow forecasts, options analysis, appraisal of business strategy and risks, capital structuring, and contingency planning.
• Use of sound judgement, evidence, and knowledge to provide accurate, expert, and professional advice to support the achievement of commercial outcomes relevant to UKGI and Government’s objectives.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills focused on building stakeholder consensus.
• The ability to communicate complex scenarios clearly and convincingly to stakeholders and non-experts, while confidently challenging assumptions.
• Managing and engaging people with integrity to create positive, professional, and trusted working relationships.
• An appreciation of the political context and wider impacts to develop strategies for ensuring best value for Government.
• Adaptability to rapidly changing circumstances.

The following skills would also be advantageous:

• Knowledge of insolvency regulation and its application.
• Broader experience in areas such as shareholder governance, mergers and acquisitions, financial due diligence, valuations, and strategy.
• Experience of working in Government or with Ministers.

If you would like to be challenged by genuinely fascinating work and work in an environment where UKGI’s values are taken seriously, please apply with your CV and a short covering note outlining your credentials for the role.

Diversity statement: UKGI is committed to equality and diversity, aiming to be an open and inclusive organisation, recruiting and retaining diverse, talented, and high-performing people who support and develop one another. UKGI is a Disability Confident Employer, offering interviews to applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for the post. If you need reasonable adjustments to participate in the selection process, please inform us in your application.

UKGI is also part of the ‘Great Place to Work for Veterans’ initiative, offering interviews to eligible applicants from His Majesty’s Armed Forces who meet the essential criteria for the post. Please indicate in your application if you wish to be considered as part of this initiative.

In line with company policy, we will be employing a hybrid working model, with 40% of your time being home-based. At UKGI, we value work-life balance and encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working, reduced hours contracts, and job shares.