Job Purpose
The purpose of the role is to lead the Finance function within ONR, ensuring strong internal control, compliance with government finance standards, and confidence in our financial systems, reporting and processes.
You will be leading a team of approximately 15 colleagues who are primarily based in Bootle and London.
The scope of the role includes financial and management accounting, statutory reporting, budgetary control, business partnering, treasury management, performance reporting and charging for our regulatory services.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Finance Director and will be expected to present their team’s output at meetings including our Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
About The Role
The key responsibilities for the role are summarised below:
* Financial stewardship – You will ensure sound financial management of ONR including its compliance with Management Public Money (MPM), the Financial Reporting Manual (FreM) and other guidance such as government functional standards.
* Enabling operational delivery – You will be advising senior leaders and budget-holders on financial matters that enable operational delivery.
* People skills – You will be leading a team of approximately 15 colleagues and will be managing relationships with counterparts in government departments including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). You will also be collaborating closely with the Finance Director and senior leaders, including non‑executives, across ONR. There will also be instances where you will be representing ONR on financial matters in discussion with the entities that we regulate.
* External impact – You will be engaging with external stakeholders on financial matters including our external auditors, government departments and the entities that we regulate.
* Decision making – You will be empowered to make operational decisions on the management of the Finance function. You will also be a member of the wider Finance Directorate’s leadership team along with the Finance Director, Head of Risk & Assurance and Head of Estates, Procurement & Shared Services.
* Innovation – You will be expected to consider how we can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of both the Finance function and ONR as a whole. This may include the streamlining of existing processes and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI).
In delivering these key responsibilities, you will be expected to:
* Act as the strategic and operational lead for all matters relating to financial and management accounting, statutory reporting, budgetary control, business partnering, treasury management and charging processes.
* Enhance the quality of finance support by providing internal and external stakeholders with a single source of timely and accurate financial information supported by expert insight.
* Provide proactive and professional advice to the Finance Director and senior leaders on financial matters, including compliance with relevant guidance.
* Lead on the financial aspects of the business planning process.
* Support the professional development of all colleagues within the Finance function to ensure we have the appropriate capacity and capability in the function.
* Undertake ad hoc project‑based work, including in response to changes in the nuclear sector and/or government policy.
* Contribute to improving the quality of management information available to senior decision makers.
* Identify and collaboratively deliver efficiency improvements, including cost‑saving measures.
* Support the empowerment of individuals and embed accountability through the delegation of financial authority to budget‑holders.
* Maintain and strengthen the confidence of regulated entities and government departments in ONR’s approach to charging for its services.
* Support the Accountable Officer and Finance Director in ensuring that ONR is compliant with Managing Public Money, the Accountable Officer’s delegated authority and ONR’s legal vires.
* Contribute to the collective leadership of the organisation, embodying our values of Accountable, Open‑minded, Fair, and Supportive.
* Act as a positive role model inspiring ONR staff to work towards ONR being a modern, agile and productive regulator with an inclusive culture.
Line Management Responsibilities
As part of this role, there will be an expectation to manage staff.
The Head of Finance is expected to act as the line manager of our Head of Financial Accounting, Head of Finance Business Partnering and Head of Charging & Cost Recovery.
Location / Travel
This post may be undertaken from a base at Bootle, London or Cheltenham. If based in Bootle, you must be willing to travel to London or Cheltenham when there is a business need. If based in London, you must be willing to travel to Bootle or Cheltenham when there is a business need.
ONR operates hybrid working (working in the office and or at home) as part of our flexible working policy. There is an expectation that everyone will spend time in the office on a regular basis, recognising that some work is better done face to face. Managers will work with their teams on what works best to meet individual, team, business and organisational needs to enable collaboration, as well as balancing personal choice and wellbeing.
Inclusion
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We will consider reasonable adjustments to ensure the recruitment process is inclusive and barrier‑free. If you require reasonable adjustments as part of your application, please contact ONR HR as soon as possible, preferably before the vacancy closes, by emailing ONR.Human-Resources@onr.gov.uk or Jessica.Normile-Curran@onr.gov.uk to discuss further.
We will also offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the guaranteed interview scheme.
We recognise we have a role to play in helping those leaving the Armed Forces and have a Veterans guaranteed interview scheme. We offer an interview to Veterans who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the scheme. The eligibility criteria are:
* served for at least one year in His Majesty's Armed Forces (as a Regular or Reserve).
* be in transition from, or ceased to be a member of, His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
* not already be employed by ONR.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate will be required to undergo and obtain security clearance to Security Check (SC) level.
Applicants are not required to hold security clearance prior to applying.
Person Specification
Skills/Job Related Expertise
The essential skills and experience for this role are:
* Communication skills – The ability to communicate financial information to internal and external stakeholders in an understandable, insightful and credible manner.
* Relationship management skills – The ability to develop professional and mutually respectful relationships with internal and stakeholders, including at Board and senior leadership level.
* Decision‑making skills – The ability to show sound judgement in making decisions and to provide robust recommendations and advice to internal stakeholders.
* Experience of leading and developing high performing Finance teams.
* Experience of preparing Annual Report and Accounts.
The desirable skills and experience for this role are:
* Experience of the external audit process – This experience could be through working as an external auditor or through managing your employer’s relationship with its external auditor.
* Experience of applying government finance guidance including Managing Public Money, Financial Reporting Manual, Green Book and the Government Functional Standard for finance.
Essential qualifications
Member of CCAB accountancy body: ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS or Chartered Accountants Ireland.
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