Finance Business Partner – Projects and Programmes

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the Head of Strategic Finance (working alongside operational and non-operational colleagues throughout CTP HQ and the distributed National CT Policing network) in in ensuring that CT Policing achieves value for money and maximises value from the services it delivers while meeting the needs of the Business.  By providing insight, challenge and support at both strategic and operational levels, highlighting potential risks/opportunities and identifying options to drive continuous cost reductions and performance improvement within the tight budget envelope.  This post will have a particular focus on providing direct financial support to the projects and programmes within the CT Policing Data, Digital and Technology (DDaT) and Change Portfolios.

Main areas of delegated responsibility will fall across the following strategic and functional areas:

• Finance Business Partnering for the Change and Data, Digital and Technology (DDaT) business areas;
• Financial management, audit and assurance;
• Project and Programme Financial Management

Key duties and responsibilities of the post holder will include:

• Partnering existing and emerging Change and DDaT projects and programmes, including supporting the production of business cases; and providing financial assurance and advice;
• Driving improvements in financial reporting for both individual projects and programmes and the Change and DDaT Portfolios to support strategic decision making.
• Building strong relationships with the CT Policing Executive, Capability Leads, Project and Programme Teams and external stakeholders to influence and deliver value to the CT Network.
• Maintaining CT Policing’s budgetary control environment and processes, with a particular focus on projects and programmes, ensuring that effective control is exercised through focused and proportionate effort.
• Provide objective strategic and tactical financial advice and opinions that positively impact the future investment choices made by CT Policing.
• Identify and drive financial efficiency within CT Policing, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively with rigorous pressure on costs and a commitment to a value for money approach and improvements in operational delivery.
• Working collaboratively with all CTP HQ Pillars eg the Human Resources function (in support of workforce planning), Strategy Planning and Performance, Change, Technology, Data, Commercial etc and National Business Managers.
• Working closely with Commercial to ensure value for money, financial accountability for contracts, supporting the production of investment appraisals and addressing governance issues.
• Coordinating support and training to SRO/Programme Directors in their Financial responsibilities.
• Attending meetings as appropriate with the CT Executive, CTPHQ Pillar Leads and Project and Programme Leads to understand costs, risk, demand as well as supporting the production of business cases and funding bids.
• Promoting and supporting the development of partnerships and integration of Finance within CTP HQ installing a culture of pro-activity, innovation, transparency and collaboration.
• Providing leadership, direction and management of a small team to support the objectives of CTP HQ Strategic Finance.

Skills

Communication and relationship skills:

•Effective communication skills. Ability to explain things clearly either verbally or in writing in the most appropriate style and tone.

•Ability to influence senior stakeholders within a business, achieving an appropriate balance between customer care; responsiveness and delivery of professional advice.

•Good interpersonal skills and team working skills with the willingness to support others and share ideas.

•Is business focused and is flexible when trying to meet operational needs and expectations.

•Takes responsibility to meet business requirements and ownership of work and maintains a strong work ethic.

•Ability to deputise for the Strategic Finance Business Partner as required.

Analytical and judgment skills:

•Ability to analyse diverse sets of information and appraise options across CT Policing and the MPS.

•Ability to operate at a detailed level to solve strategic problems

•Ability to generate solutions to complex operational and strategic problems, including carrying out option appraisals.

Planning and organisational skills:

•Strong planning skills. Able to formulate and implement long term strategic corporate plans.

•Ability to think, plan and act strategically and corporately, with a creative approach to problem solving and delivery in demanding circumstances and with competing priorities.

•Highly motivated and proactive approach to working including a strong desire to meet deadlines and deliver quality work.

Experience

•Experience of advising and guiding business decisions and frameworks in order to ensure compliance, manage risk and support governance arrangements.

•Extensive experience in:

•Financial Management & Planning in complex organisation

•Budgeting & Forecasting

•Management Reporting

•Providing Financial Management Advice and developing Mitigating Strategies

•Supporting the production of business cases, including carrying out investment appraisals, in accordance with HMT’s Green book.

• Providing finance support to both Waterfall and Agile Projects and Programmes

Desirable

•Experience/knowledge in:

•Portfolio and Programme reporting

•An understanding of CT Policing relationships to Government, security and intelligence agencies and legislative process including their governance arrangements.

•Knowledge of public sector procurement and contract management

•Post graduate qualification e.g. CIPFA Level 7 Certificate in Finance Business Partnering, MBA or equivalent etc

 

Professional/external qualifications

•Essential: CCAB or equivalent membership