Finance Manager

Job summary

Do you want to work on one or the most exciting transformation projects in the public sector?

The Defence Housing Service (DHS) is being created through the Armed Forces Bill to deliver a step-change in housing for the UK’s Armed Forces and their families following the publication of the Defence Housing Strategy on 3 November 2025, which marked the most significant change to Armed Forces housing in over 50 years. DHS will bring a dedicated focus to improving the homes, communities and lived experience of Service personnel, placing families firmly at the heart of everything it does.

This is one of the most ambitious housing transformation programmes in the UK today. Backed by a £9.2 billion investment, DHS will modernise tens of thousands of homes, introduce a more proactive and customer-focused approach to maintenance, and unlock new opportunities to develop housing on Defence land. DHS will have the focus and agility to deliver change at pace, combining public service values with greater flexibility to build the skills, systems and partnerships needed for the future.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of shaping its culture, influencing how it works, and helping deliver lasting improvements for Service families across the UK.

The Defence Housing team is currently part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), who respond to the evolving needs of our military personnel, and the ways in which they live, work, train and deploy. We are proud to be the expert partner Defence needs for all their infrastructure requirements. From large scale infrastructure projects such as runways for the F35 fighter jets to net carbon-zero accommodation for our Service families, our activities focus relentlessly on our customers, and our outputs are unique in the UK and across the globe!

DIO , What we deliver every day.

The future delivery model for this team is currently under review and may change as part of potential organisational developments. This could include the team or function transferring to a different employer or organisational structure in the future. Should activities transfer out of the Ministry of Defence existing employees transferring with those activities will maintain the same, or substantially the same, terms and conditions of employment.

Job description

Join us as a Finance Manager within the Acquisition and Disposal Finance Team, where you will play a key role in managing the financial oversight of land sale disposals across the Ministry of Defence estate. Working closely with the Senior Finance Manager for Major Projects and a wide range of Estates colleagues, you will provide high-quality financial analysis, forecasting and advice to support informed decision-making and the successful delivery of major disposal programmes. You will review and challenge business cases to ensure they are robust and ready for approval, while also contributing to key financial management activities such as financial reporting, accounting journals and the in-year management of major disposals. This is an excellent opportunity to influence significant estate projects and support the delivery of value for money across the MoD estate.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Produce and analyse financial reports, dashboards and management information to support decision-making by the business and Finance Leadership Team.
• Support monthly in-year management financial reviews and the Strategic Planning Cycle (SPC) through the provision of accurate financial data, forecasts and insights.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships across the business, providing flexible support to a range of business areas as required.
• Ensure the integrity, accuracy and completeness of financial transactions, maintaining effective controls and governance processes.
• Lead and support month-end activities, ensuring accounting entries are accurate, compliant and supported by a robust audit trail.
• Monitor expenditure and financial performance, raising and approving invoices where appropriate and resolving issues with suppliers and commercial colleagues.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial data is entered into corporate systems to support Strategic Planning Cycle and In-Year Management activities.
• Review manual accrual submissions, challenging insufficient evidence and escalating issues where necessary.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by sharing best practice and identifying opportunities to streamline processes and enhance financial services.
• Take ownership of day-to-day financial issues and decisions within delegated authority, supporting the consistent application of standardised processes and excellent customer service.

Whilst this role is advertised as a full-time position of 37 hours per week, we recognise the benefits of flexible working and are open to discussing part-time hours, job share arrangements, or other flexible working patterns with suitable candidates. Regular in person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Strong communicator, with the ability to influence decision making at all levels.
• Highly developed planning and organisational skills in a financial environment and experience of delivery and meeting tight deadlines, with the ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities.
• Highly numerate with a record of success in a financial management role with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Previous experience of financial information systems and strong IT skills, including MS Office and Excel.
• You hold a minimum level 4 AAT (or equivalent) qualification with experience OR you hold a relevant numerate degree.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

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

• Finance Competence Framework: In Year Management – Level: Working
• Finance Competence Framework: Financial Governance – Level: Working

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 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).

• 25 days’ annual leave plus one day a year u