Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food & farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. Digital, Data and Technology Services (DDTS) is the trusted team for digital across the entire Defra Group. We have around 1000 colleagues across DDTS and our ambition is to make it easier and faster than ever for people to interact with Defra. If you are ready to drive innovation and push boundaries, we want to hear from you. Join us and together we will create a great place for living, and a green and healthy future for all. This role is within the Chief Digital Office providing financial support across the function. As Finance Lead and Business Support your role is to protect value, drive value and add value. Your key responsibility will be to support the Chief Digital Officer and their senior leadership team in managing their financial position and implementing their savings, make robust investment decisions and implement their action plans. The role will involve collaborating with colleagues from across Defra Group Finance to deliver successful outcomes. You will also assist in providing insightful financial analysis and establishing a robust challenge to inform decision making and business planning. You will act as the face of Finance to ensure that finance is at the heart of commercial decision making, engaging suppliers in holding to account and securing benefits. As a critical friend to the business, you will ensure stewardship of public funds, efficient and effective use of budgets and play a key role in transformational change. You will provide advice on Directorate budgets and improve forecasting capability of the team. The post holder will work largely independently. The role holder’s work is guided by agreed performance objectives, with the role holder having considerable discretion over day-to-day workload. The role contributes significantly to decisions taken by senior grades across the Defra group, regarding risk and organisational change. The role holder will be required to translate financial capability considerations into a simple business narrative that leaders can easily understand and make informed decisions on risk and organisational change. There will be frequent communication required at all levels and up to Deputy Director and Director level. There is a requirement to balance the requirements of multiple organisations and stakeholders, use judgement and flexibility in identifying problems and ensure any proposed solutions is practical and cost effective. The Post holder will need to contribute to Business Management by being the point of contact for queries relating to finance, recruitment as well as additional ad-hoc business support duties to support the Chief Digital Officer. Your key responsibilities may include but will not be limited to: Collate and assure financial reporting to the Director and ensure effective engagement with key stakeholders Monitor monthly variance analysis, identify and report risks and opportunities and provide sufficient updates to inform monthly forecasts Ensure the delivery of robust and comprehensive monthly management accounts for senior managers, to ensure accuracy of the information provided and a thorough understanding of variances Providing professional financial advice to Directors and senior managers Contract financial management including forensic cost analysis against contract obligations, cost benefit analysis and financial support to contract change and negotiations Production of relevant interim and year end information for audit and disclosure within the Annual Report and Accounts Acting as a key liaison point between the Finance function and the rest of the team Build an in-depth understanding of the business, what drivers are influencing policy and how objectives are delivered. Ensuring appropriate financial responses are in place for unplanned events and new decisions that impact budgets, escalating issues as appropriate Collaborate and contribute to the development of project plans and business cases to ensure high quality delivery by agreed timelines and budget Potential Line management responsibilities. Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .