Finance Improvement Manager

Job summary

This is a high-impact role for experienced finance improvement and change leaders who can combine technical credibility, structured delivery and practical implementation support. Sitting within Defra group Finance, postholders will help shape change plans and work directly with Finance teams to implement improvement initiatives, adopt new ways of working and prepare for the Synergy Shared Service Programme and wider operating model changes across Defra and its organisations.

The Synergy programme is one of government’s largest transformation initiatives, replacing core HR, finance, procurement and payroll processes and improving the digital experience for users across Defra and its organisations. These roles will help Finance leaders and teams prepare for adoption of the Synergy solution from 2028, while supporting a more modern, efficient and future-ready finance service.

We are looking to recruit four Finance Improvement Managers to work with dedicated Finance teams aligned to individual Arms’ Length Bodies and Business Units. You will support Senior Finance Leaders and the central Finance Change and Transformation Team to develop credible implementation plans, provide finance expertise, remove barriers to adoption and help teams put new processes, systems and ways of working into practice.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of a major finance transformation, shaping how finance services are delivered across the Defra group. The roles will suit people with a track record of leading improvement, implementing end-to-end process change, working in complex environments and bringing stakeholders together around a common way of working.

Aligned to the GFF Career Framework, these roles involve leadership across Finance Operations and Finance Data and Systems. The experience gained will provide a strong platform for progression, developing capability in finance operations, business change, stakeholder engagement, service improvement and implementation leadership.

Job description

As a Finance Improvement Manager, you will combine planning, delivery and hands-on finance improvement support. Working closely with process owners, subject matter experts, Finance leaders and programme colleagues, you will help turn Synergy process designs and operating model changes into practical activity across areas such as Source to Pay, Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting, Project Accounting, reporting, controls and data.

You will work alongside Finance teams to implement improvement initiatives, test and embed new processes, resolve practical issues and support adoption. You will also produce guidance, engagement and communication materials that help Finance leaders explain the change clearly and build confidence with users.

You will operate in a collaborative, matrixed environment, balancing structured planning with practical delivery, coaching and hands-on engagement to maintain momentum, resolve issues and support a smooth transition to the future finance operating model.

• Lead the development and delivery of robust implementation plans for Finance teams across Defra group organisations, aligned to Synergy programme milestones and wider operating model changes.
• Provide finance expertise and practical support to help teams implement improvement initiatives, adopt standardised processes and embed new systems, controls and ways of working.
• Work with process owners and subject matter experts to translate future finance process designs into clear business requirements, guidance, transition activity and user-focused implementation support.
• Lead impact, readiness and adoption assessments, using data, stakeholder insight and a consistent methodology to identify impacts, barriers and support needs, define success measures, and recommend targeted interventions that build confidence and improve delivery outcomes.
• Build strong relationships across Finance, Defra group organisations, programme teams and Whitehall partners, using clear engagement, guidance and reporting to align stakeholders around the future finance operating model, support adoption and escalate key risks, decisions and trade-offs.
• Attend and provide input to subject-related workshops as needed

Person specification

Essential Experience

• A track record of leading finance improvement, transformation or implementation activity in a large or complex organisation, including providing finance expertise and practical support to implement process, system or operating model change.

• Experience of turning process, system or operating model designs into practical change plans, readiness activity and user-focused implementation support, using evidence, data and professional judgement to assess impacts, identify risks, remove barriers and improve delivery outcomes.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to turn complex finance change into clear, engaging messages, influence senior stakeholders and build confidence in new processes, systems and ways of working.

• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills, with the ability to build alignment and momentum across Senior Finance Leaders, Arms’ Length Bodies, Business Units, programme teams and wider partners.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,375, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £16,331 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%

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 your Behaviours and Experience.

Application Process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, a Personal Statement (no more than 250 words) and 250-word Behaviour statements for the following behaviours:

• Changing and improving (Lead Behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Further details around what this will entail are detailed on the application f