At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage finances at the intersection of national security and digital operations.
- Company: Join a leading firm focused on public-sector finance and technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Full-time role in Central London with a focus on purpose-led work.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in national security while working in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in financial management and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Culmen is hiring a Finance Manager - Intelligence & Digital Operations to support our client in London, UK. This is not a conventional finance role. Working at the intersection of public‑sector finance, national security, and digital delivery, the Finance Manager will provide expert financial management and strategic insight to a high‑performing team operating in a fast‑paced, sensitive environment. You will act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, bringing rigor and challenge to complex financial decisions while navigating the unique demands of digital and technology‑enabled programmes. You will be comfortable working with ambiguity, building relationships across government and industry, and translating technical financial concepts for non‑specialist audiences. The role is based full‑time in Central London and requires Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.
What You’ll Do in Your New Role
- Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders — understanding complex and specialist problem sets, identifying solutions, and delivering results in support of organisational objectives.
- Produce high‑quality formal policy, procedure documentation, and submissions.
- Act as a trusted adviser to senior leadership, providing independent insight and constructive challenge to support strategic decision‑making.
- Communicate complex financial topics clearly and compellingly to non‑specialist audiences, both written and verbally.
- Prioritise effectively across multiple competing workstreams, maintaining quality and composure under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- Apply strong analytical and financial modelling skills to support evidence‑based decision‑making.
- Be a self‑starter who is equally effective working independently and as part of a team.
- Be resilient under pressure, with a strong personal commitment to confidentiality and professional ethics.
- Be motivated by purpose‑led work with genuine national significance — this role sits at the heart of the UK’s national security and digital capability.
- Work full‑time in Central London, with flexibility around hours during periods of high operational demand.
Required Qualifications
Capabilities:
- Essential: Proven experience delivering core accounting functions including account reconciliation, planning, budgeting, and forecasting; or a track record in financial investigations.
- Proficiency in financial software such as Oracle, Sage, or Xero.
- Experience engaging effectively with senior stakeholders across public and private sector organisations.
Desirable
- Experience in UK public sector finance, not‑for‑profit organisations, or financial investigations including anti‑money laundering practices.
- Experience compiling individual offline account reconciliations into consolidated group financial accounts and delivering routine financial reports to senior audiences.
- Experience ensuring adherence to financial policies, controls, and regulatory requirements under applicable financial management frameworks and national or international legislation.
- Experience in financial risk management and the delivery of risk mitigation strategies.
Sector Background
- Prior exposure to military, security, or defence organisations.
Digital Finance Literacy
Given the digital nature of this environment, the following exposure is highly valued:
- Understanding of digital delivery models, including Agile and iterative delivery, DevOps environments, and product‑based funding models.
- Experience costing and managing technology spend, including cloud services (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS), licensing and subscription models, and live service versus project funding.
- Appreciation of technical debt, service sustainment, and lifecycle costing.
Experience:
- Essential: Fully qualified accountant (ACCA / CGMA / CIPFA or equivalent) with a minimum of 2 years post‑qualification experience; or Financial Investigator accreditation with equivalent professional standing.
- Current Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.
Desirable
- Degree‑level qualification (Level 6) in finance, risk management, economics, military studies, international security, or strategy.
Finance Manager - Intelligence & Digital Operations employer: UNAVAILABLE
Culmen is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of public-sector finance and national security in the vibrant setting of Central London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we foster a collaborative work culture that values purpose-led initiatives and provides flexibility during high-demand periods. Join us to make a meaningful impact while developing your skills in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager - Intelligence & Digital Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance and digital operations sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising your storytelling skills. You’ll want to share your experiences in a way that highlights your analytical skills and ability to navigate complex financial decisions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them memorable.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your digital finance literacy! Be ready to discuss your understanding of digital delivery models and how they relate to financial management. Employers love candidates who can bridge the gap between finance and technology, so don’t hold back on sharing your insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that Finance Manager role. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team. Let’s get you that job!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager - Intelligence & Digital Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in public-sector finance and digital operations, as well as any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be translating complex financial concepts for non-specialists, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly. Use straightforward language in your application and provide examples of how you've done this in the past.
Highlight Your Stakeholder Engagement:We value strong collaborative relationships, so make sure to mention your experience working with diverse stakeholders. Share specific instances where you’ve successfully navigated complex problem sets and delivered results.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at UNAVAILABLE
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around budgeting, forecasting, and account reconciliation. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Understand the Digital Landscape
Since this role involves digital delivery, get familiar with concepts like Agile methodologies and cloud services. Being able to speak confidently about how these elements impact financial management will set you apart.
✨Build Relationships
Prepare to discuss how you've successfully built relationships with senior stakeholders in previous roles. Think of examples where you’ve navigated complex problem sets and delivered results, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex financial topics in simple terms. You might be asked to present a financial concept to a non-specialist audience, so being able to communicate clearly and compellingly is key.
