At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance and business support, manage budgets, and drive financial improvements.
- Company: Join Forestry England, a mission-driven organisation focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while supporting environmental initiatives.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified in accountancy or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 47252 - 50927 £ per year.
Location: Lyndhurst, South East England, SO43 7NH
About the job
Job summary
What you’ll do:
- Lead the finance and business support service in support of our mission and vision.
- Manage budgeting and financial control of the Forestry England unit turnover (pay and non-pay) of circa 17 million p.a.
- Play a lead role in development of the District Business Plan, particularly the finances.
- Provide regular finance reporting and use your knowledge and experience to help us to review and continuously improve our financial position.
- Lead the finance and business support team of 9 staff, take an active part in the district’s senior leadership team and build collaborative and supportive relationships with operational colleagues, the national finance team and other finance managers.
- Report directly to the FMD taking an active role along with other heads of function in realising the district’s vision – developing the business, supporting business improvement, change management and projects in the District.
- Provide leadership to the Finance & Business Support team and develop the strategic direction of the service.
- Line manage the Finance Manager, Project Manager & Office Manager.
- Support corporate governance and foster a culture of effective cross functional working across District team.
- Build collaborative and supportive relationships with operational colleagues, the national finance team and other District finance managers.
Management Accounting
- Support the district in continuously improving its financial position within the context of Forestry England’s strategic objectives.
- Lead on the submission of annual business plans, ensuring operations and resources are appropriately matched and apportioned.
- Build a culture of strategic direction, cross functional collaboration, delivery accountability & celebrating success.
You will work with the Finance Manager to:
- Ensure timely and accurate submission of monthly management accounts and forecasts.
- Build collaborative and supportive relationships with budget managers across the district, supporting them in accessing and interpreting financial data.
- Monitor the financial performance of district business partners.
- Support sound business and financial decision making across all functions, and provide financial performance analysis supporting short, medium and long-term planning.
- Provide professional judgement and advice on financial and business improvement initiatives.
District Plan Coordination & Monitoring
Play a key role in the production and updates of other cross functional District Plans including:
- Delivery plan
- Investment and external funding projects and pipelines
- District Risk Register
- Emergency Response Plan
- District Strategy
- Business Sustainability
And any other task reasonably requested by your line manager.
Person specification
Essential professional and technical experience:
- Providing financial information to support decision making.
- Budgetary control.
- Analysing financial performance and identifying income and cost drivers.
- Analysing variances and forecasting.
- Identifying and supporting the delivery of organisational efficiencies and/or cost reductions.
- Experience in financial report writing including supporting commentary.
- A high level of skill in using Microsoft Excel and competence with other Microsoft Office products.
- Experience with financial systems.
- A proven track record in leading teams of staff & managing contractors, customer and other stakeholder relations.
- Experience of business planning, developing and delivering cross functional strategic plans, and project management as well as successfully integrating a collaborative approach to team working.
- Experience of budget management, financial monitoring, and cost control.
- Full UK drivers license.
Desirable professional and technical experience:
- Experience of developing investment business cases.
- Experience in managing procurement and knowledge of legislation around financial and procurement regulations.
Qualifications
Essential:
- Fully-qualified in accountancy with a recognised IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) member body (e.g. AAT, ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAS, IFA), or significant relevant experience equivalent to that level of qualification.
Benefits
- Alongside your salary of 47,252, Forestry Commission contributes 13,688 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- 25 days holiday a year, raising by one day every year’s service, up to 30 days (pro-rated for part time employees) plus additional days off such as bank holidays.
- STaR is our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays, clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.
- Free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
- A commitment to lifelong learning through career development.
Things you need to know
Selection process details:
- You will be asked to upload your CV and to write a 200 word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
- The Behaviours being assessed at interview are – Strategic - Seeing the Big Picture, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Interpersonal Skills - Communicating & Influencing, Working Together, Delivery - Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service.
Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check.
If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.
Working for the Civil Service:
- The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
- The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
Apply and further information:
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Contact point for applicants:
- Name: FC Recruitment Team
- Email: fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk
Details:
- Reference number: 389460
- Salary: 47,252 - 50,927
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: FC - Forestry England
- Type of role: Finance
- Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time
- Number of jobs available: 1
Finance and Business Manager in Lyndhurst employer: United Kingdom Government
The College of Policing is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With flexible working options and a strong commitment to diversity, staff are encouraged to thrive while contributing to the vital mission of enhancing policing standards across the UK. This role not only provides the opportunity to lead a team of experts but also to engage with various stakeholders, ensuring a meaningful impact on public safety and officer training.
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