This is a new role and you will be joining the Office for Place following financial independence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 1 April 2024. Your focus will be on the first annual report and set of accounts due at the end of 2024-25, internal audit reviews to support the first full year of operations, and the National Audit Office audit of the accounts. You will also support establishment of the Office for Place as an employer from April 2025, with effective implementation of human resource and payroll service systems.

• Ensuring the Office for Place fulfils its duties and responsibilities in relation to governance and finance, including monthly financial reporting to the board, financial accounting and forecasting, risk management, preparing the annual report and accounts, preparing annual budgets and the annual audit, and the effective running of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.
• Representing the Office for Place in finance and resourcing negotiations with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
• Overseeing the effective implementation and operation of finance and human resources shared services contracts, ensuring prompt payment and payroll systems.
• Overseeing the provision of IT and facilities management contracts, and assets management policies, ensuring the smooth running of the organisation and delivering value for money. This is expected to include a change in office accommodation during 2024-25 as the Office for Place moves from a temporary to a permanent home in Stoke-on-Trent, requiring oversight of lease negotiations and office move contracts.
• Oversee the Office for Place’s human resource function, including compliance with HR, diversity and inclusion, data protection and health and safety policies that are being developed with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
• Lead the development of the annual business plan, and work closely with the Assistant Director for Policy and Engagement on the organisation’s annual state of the nation progress report.
• Play an active role in leadership of the organisation, supporting the Chief Executive, senior management team and board to develop an organisational culture that promotes its values, and undertaking any additional responsibilities as required.

Essential Criteria

• You should be a qualified finance professional with CCAB / CIMA or equivalent e.g. ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI.
• You should have experience of leading teams to successfully manage finance, accounts and/or audit functions. You will be familiar with government accounting, specifically the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance (CBG) and Managing Public Money.
• You will need to quickly gain the confidence of the Chief Executive and board, and be able to respond to their direction which will require you have excellent communication skills and to build strong relationships.
• Most importantly, you will be a self-starter with an ability to solve problems and demonstrate a positive ‘can do’ attitude. As this is a new small organisation, you will need to deliver at pace and manage ambiguity as you look to develop processes, systems and standards.

Desirable Criteria

• An understanding of the corporate service functions, including human resources and commercial policy or services.
• An understanding of how to operate as part of a senior leadership team to deliver results and achieve organisational change.