Flexible working: due to its sensitive nature this role is office-based and home-working
Before applying for this role, please read the following information about this opportunity found below.
will not be possible. We value a good work-life balance and offer part-time (minimum 4
days), compressed hours, and flexibility around start and finish times. Full time hours are
36 or 37 hours, depending on location.
About us
MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to
harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining,
analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including
MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide
advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to
keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a
supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national
security.
The role
Our finance teams keep our internal spending on-track, which makes them critical to our
work. The Finance Manager role is very varied, and we currently have opportunities
across several office-based teams. During the recruitment process, we’ll get to know you
and assess which area best reflects your strengths and interests.
Financial Analysis
One area you could join is our Financial Analysis team. They provide key insights that
guide decision making across the organisation. As a Finance Manager here, you’ll lead a
team and produce monthly financial reports that meet the needs of budget holders. You’ll
prepare, interpret and present in-year financial information and hold regular review
meetings with business areas so they feel fully informed.
Because you care about getting things right, you’ll ensure our financial information is
always accurate. You’ll keep strong data controls, advise on the correct treatment of
complex transactions and make sure assets and leases are properly accounted for. You’ll
provide thoughtful financial analysis, helping colleagues understand variances, risks and
mitigation, and you’ll conduct deep dives and financial modelling when issues need more
attention. At year-end, you’ll bring everything together, leading the provision of evidence
for the National Audit Office and supporting the breakdown of budgets for the new
financial year.
Your leadership will shape the team’s experience and performance. You’ll motivate people
to bring their best, ensure month-end activity runs smoothly and balance workloads in a
way that supports both wellbeing and excellent service. Using your coaching skills, you’ll
help the team grow in confidence and capability.
Strategic Finance
You might instead join our Strategic Finance team. They support the agencies through
major financial decisions and governance. In this role, you’ll lead the processes and
products that support planning for fiscal events, working closely with your counterpart in
the His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) Spending Team and building a strong understanding of
the bigger delivery landscape. You’ll regularly work with senior stakeholders, helping
them complete key tasks with quick turnarounds and keeping the wider programme
running smoothly.
In Strategic Finance, you’ll bring together contributions from across the organisation, help
resolve issues and ensure everything is ready for major financial milestones. You’ll build
relationships across MI5 and with HMT, prepare and deliver products for the Spending
Review and other fiscal events, and represent your area where needed. You’ll take
ownership of key strategic work, translate financial data into clear, meaningful insights,
and guide other finance functions on HMT priorities. You’ll also prepare briefings for
senior civil servants and ministers, provide timely analysis and presentations, respond to
ad-hoc enquiries, and support your team through warm, confident leadership.
There are many different areas in the finance function you could join or explore during
your career with us. Find out more about these roles on our Finance careers page.
About you
You’ll be a fully qualified Chartered accountant, with experience of not only managing a
team, but motivating them to bring their best. You’ll also bring demonstratable finance
experience from a public sector environment. Organised, positive, and eager to learn, you
value teamwork, innovation and making an impact. You work professionally and
collaboratively, enjoy solving problems as part of a team, and are skilled at building strong
relationships and negotiating with key stakeholders. xsngvjr All your skills will be underpinned by
a passion for finance and aptitude for figures and spreadsheets.