We offer great flexible working opportunities, and have offices in Belfast, Cardiff and York.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas.
Travel within the UK will be required on an occasional basis, possibly with overnight stays.
Job Summary
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is a non-ministerial department of over 1600 people. We play a critical role in protecting public health and consumers’ wider interests in food across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our vision is an important one - to drive change, delivering “food you can trust” and working towards a healthier and more sustainable food system.
Everything we do supports public health and consumer confidence in the food we eat. As our new Financial Operations Manager, you’ll play a vital role in helping us deliver that mission by ensuring the smooth and controlled flow of money in and out of the agency.
This is a key management role within our Finance team, reporting to the Financial Operations Lead and providing direction to the Finance Operations Supervisor and wider team. You’ll be responsible for overseeing the invoicing and collection of FSA revenue across England and Wales—managing over 1,000 customer accounts, raising more than 6,000 invoices annually, and working with external providers to manage cash receipts and recover debts. You’ll also lead on ensuring our Order to Cash processes meet government finance and debt management standards, providing assurance that they are being operated effectively and efficiently.
Job Description
This role is about more than just numbers. You’ll be joining a close-knit, collaborative team that values knowledge-sharing, continuous improvement, and mutual support. We’re proud of our culture—friendly, inclusive, and driven by a shared commitment to public service. Many of us work remotely from across the UK, but we stay connected and work together to deliver a best-in-class finance function.
You’ll be joining us at an exciting time. Following the implementation of our Workday Finance and HR system in 2023, we’re continuing to evolve and improve how we work. You’ll have the opportunity to shape and influence our financial processes, working with stakeholders across the agency to ensure they’re fit for purpose, resilient, and delivering value for money.
We’re looking for someone with experience in financial operations, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for challenging the status quo. If you’re someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and wants to make a real impact in a public service organisation, we’d love to hear from you.
Be part of something meaningful. Apply now and help us deliver trusted food and trusted finance.
Working pattern guidance
If applying as a job share partnership you should both complete separate application forms on Civil Service Jobs but should make it clear that you are applying as job sharers. Further details on job sharing can be found here JSF – What is the recruitment process for job sharers?, Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
Applicants who wish to work compressed hours are welcome to apply - however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
This role is about more than just numbers. You’ll be joining a close-knit, collaborative team that values knowledge-sharing, continuous improvement, and mutual support. We’re proud of our culture—friendly, inclusive, and driven by a shared commitment to public service. Many of us work remotely from across the UK, but we stay connected and work together to deliver a best-in-class finance function.
You’ll be joining us at an exciting time. Following the implementation of our Workday Finance and HR system in 2023, we’re continuing to evolve and improve how we work. You’ll have the opportunity to shape and influence our financial processes, working with stakeholders across the agency to ensure they’re fit for purpose, resilient, and delivering value for money.
We’re looking for someone with experience in financial operations, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for challenging the status quo. If you’re someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and wants to make a real impact in a public service organisation, we’d love to hear from you.
Be part of something meaningful. Apply now and help us deliver trusted food and trusted finance.
Working pattern guidance
If applying as a job share partnership you should both complete separate application forms on Civil Service Jobs but should make it clear that you are applying as job sharers. Further details on job sharing can be found here JSF – What is the recruitment process for job sharers?, Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
Applicants who wish to work compressed hours are welcome to apply - however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Person specification
Please read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details about the role, our organisation, who we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process.
We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success.
Qualifications
A qualified/part qualified accountant (CCAB / CIMA)
or
have significant experience of working in a finance environment, being willing to work towards a recognised professional finance or debt management qualification (AAT, CCAB, CIMA or CICM).
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Managing a Quality Service
Alongside your salary of £40,800, Food Standards Agency contributes £11,819 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Our candidate pack details the benefits that the FSA has to offer. Please also refer to the attached Terms and Conditions statement.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack.
Application and shortlisting
You will be asked to provide personal details (not seen by the Panel) and to confirm your eligibility to apply for the role.
Technical: You will be asked a question to confirm that you meet the Technical requirements of the role.
* A qualified/part qualified accountant (CCAB / CIMA)
OR
* have significant experience of working in a finance environment, being willing to work towards a recognised professional finance or debt management qualification (AAT, CCAB, CIMA or CICM).
If you cannot answer yes to this question – you will not be able to proceed further with your application.
You will then be asked to complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential criteria.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Lead criteria: Demonstrable ability to work flexibly, adapt and lead a team to meet changing financial operations priorities, whilst adhering to strict deadlines.
* Strong planning, data analysis, interpretation and visualisation skills to develop strategic insight.
* Motivated to improve processes and services with good problem-solving ability.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a strong focus on customer service and stakeholder management with ability to communicate financial knowledge to non-finance professionals.
* Experience of interpreting financial policy, guidance and legislation.
* Debt recovery management awareness or willing to develop skills in this area.
Technical
(Assessed via Qualifications section or content of lead criteria and personal statements)
* A qualified/part qualified accountant (CCAB / CIMA)
OR
* have significant experience of working in a finance environment, being willing to work towards a recognised professional finance or debt management qualification (AAT, CCAB, CIMA or CICM).
Lead Criteria An initial sift will take place on the Lead Criteria.
In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the minimum pass mark for the Lead Criteria may be raised at shortlisting stage. Candidates who apply under the DCS, GPTW or RIS schemes and meet the minimum requirements will be unaffected by the pass mark raise.
Interview
If successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in which we will assess you against the following Experience and Strengths requirements of the role and Civil Service Behaviours.
Behaviours
* Communicating and Influencing
* Managing a Quality Service
Full details of the positive indicators being assessed for each Behaviour can be found in the Candidate Pack.
Experience
* Motivated to improve processes and services with good problem-solving ability.
* Strong planning, data analysis, interpretation and visualisation skills to develop strategic insight (assessed via assessment exercise)
Strengths
We will also assess you against a number of Civil Service Strengths – these are not disclosed prior to interview.
Assessment exercise
As part of the interview process, you will be asked to prepare a seen presentation. Further information will be provided to you in the invitation to interview email.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview, including your CV and any statements or examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Expected Timeline
Advert closes: 22 June 2025
Sift: Expected to take place during week commencing 23 June 2025
Final panel interview: Expected to take place during week commencing 7 July 2025
Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. (If you do not have the Microsoft Teams application installed on your computer, you can join on the web without installing the application).
Please note that indicated dates may be subject to change.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the Food Standards Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.
Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reserve List
A reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.
Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that the FSA does not hold a licence to sponsor any visa applications and we are unable to provide any advice about visas.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
* Name : Paul Begley
* Email : paul.begley@food.gov.uk
Recruitment team
* Email : hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk
Further information
If you wish to raise a complaint then please email hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk in the first instance. #J-18808-Ljbffr