Senior Finance Manager

On behalf of Defra, we are looking for X5 Senior Finance Managers (Inside IR35\) for a 12 month hybrid contract based from any Defra hub across the UK.

The successful candidate will have an expectation of 3 days in the office per week and the remainder working from home.

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future.


• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production.

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• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

Department for Environment, Food \& Rural Affairs \[1] www.gov.uk.

25 Year Environment Plan \- GOV.UK \[2] www.gov.uk\[3] .

As a Senior Finance Manager, your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead and support the successful delivery of a major ERP transformation programme, from design and testing through to go\-live and business adoption.


• Collaborate with stakeholders across government departments to align processes, accounting policies, and drive effective decision\-making.


• Provide expert technical accounting advice in line with IFRS, HM Treasury FReM, Managing Public Money, and wider public sector guidance.


• Support the production of annual reports and accounts, managing reconciliations, technical papers, audits, and financial reporting activities.


• Build strong relationships with finance teams, business areas, and external auditors to ensure high\-quality service and successful project delivery.


• Lead, coach, and develop team members while managing risks, resolving complex issues, and driving continuous improvement.

Essential:

• Strong planning and organisational skills, with a proven ability to deliver in a fast\-paced finance environment and meet challenging deadlines.


• Skilled at analysing complex issues, solving problems creatively, and managing risk effectively.


• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence outcomes.


• Confident communicator, able to present complex financial information clearly to both finance and non\-finance audiences.


• Proven ability to motivate, engage, and collaborate with teams to deliver successful project outcomes.


• Change\-focused mindset, driving continuous improvement, innovation, and efficiency across finance operations.


• Experience delivering projects to demanding timescales while influencing and embedding change.


• Good understanding of Government Finance and the wider public sector financial landscape.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting or delivering ERP system integrations and transformation programmes.


• Previous people leadership or management experience, with the ability to influence and guide teams.


• Qualified accountant

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

Defra guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex\-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".

References

Visible links

1\. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department\-for\-environment\-food\-rural\-affairs

2\. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25\-year\-environment\-plan

3\. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25\-year\-environment\-plan

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