Submarine Delivery Agency - Cost Controller

Job summary

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The primary delivery location for this position is HMNB Devonport, Plymouth, PL2 2BG.

Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

Job description

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) has an exciting opportunity for a Cost Controller to join our team at Devonport. Working within the Superintendent Submarines (SUSM) team, this role offers a unique opportunity to develop your finance expertise within the highly regulated nuclear submarine environment, contributing to projects critical to UK Defence. The SUSM team is responsible for delivering submarine support and maintenance activities at Devonport Naval Base, including overseeing major maintenance periods and coordinating with industry partners to ensure the safe, compliant and timely sustainment of the UK submarine fleet. As a Cost Controller, you will work closely with our suppliers and build strong relationships with stakeholders across multiple teams, to ensure that all financial and performance reporting requirements are met.

The responsibilities of this role include:

• Produce accurate and timely project forecasts, ensuring any variance and financial risk commentary is accurate and insightful.
• Provide financial input, challenge, and information at the Project Manager monthly forecasting reviews to empower stakeholder decision making.
• Enter and reconcile cost information into various project financial systems from project approvals and project scope change requests, ensuring a clear audit trail. Consistently monitor project cost spend against these approvals.
• Challenge and interpret supply chain cost data to support accruals and project forecasting.
• Produce accurate supporting data and inputs for the Annual Budget Cycle process in conjunction with the Project Manager/Project Controls Manager, consolidating project data to produce the forecast for the benefit of the whole delivery team.
• Produce accrual and general journals and ensure robust supporting evidence is included. Actively support the Cost Control Finance lead with any audit and compliance requests.
• Liaise with Finance & Accounting colleagues to ensure the correct financial treatment.
• Work with Project Managers to make necessary corrections in Accounting Systems.
• Communicate key project financial performance data to members of the project, programme, and SDA leadership.

Due to security requirements, the post is open for applications from UK Nationals only.

As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by the SDA Recruitment Team. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team via the Help link.

Person specification

For this role, we are seeking the following:

• Strong team working skills and a collaborative approach
• Ability to interpret and challenge data
• Have experience of working with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrate awareness of the bigger picture and its impact on the team
• Previous cost/financial experience and an understanding of budgeting and forecasting, variance analysis and capturing project costs
• Intermediate working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Experience of working within a team and independently
• Experience of working to tight deadlines
• Ability to provide advice on financial subjects to stakeholders

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Financial Analysis, management Information & Reporting - Supervised Practitioner
• Financial Planning, Reporting and Resource Allocation - Supervised Practitioner

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,300, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,095 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Discover My Benefits:

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD:

https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess