About the job

Summary

Are you looking for an opportunity to be actively involved in reshaping the RAF’s vision for the Finance Function in the years ahead?

Air Command has recently undertaken a financial transformation programme, in line with Finance Functional Leadership principles. Our vision is to be a valued Business Partner within Air Command, influencing and driving decision-making by providing timely, insightful business and finance advice, while ensuring effective governance.

Air Command’s Finance Function is based at RAF High Wycombe, headquarters for the Royal Air Force. The Finance Operations Team, sits within the Director of Resources area of responsibility, interacting with numerous stakeholders across the Command. The team is made up of approximately 50 personnel, divided into 9 sub teams. This SEO/C1 opportunity, will be the Deputy Team Leader for our Delivery Support Team and will be Line Manager and Reporting Officer to 1x HEO, 2x EOs and 6x AOs.

We are building a learning culture within the Function and your continued development is important to us, therefore support may be available for you, to undertake further appropriate qualifications or attend CPD events.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Finance Operations Team is responsible for the foundation activities that underpin the Function’s support to, and engagement with, the business. It owns all report production, initial analysis and guards one version of the truth, upon which insightful business decisions can be made.

The team provides a range of services under the following headings:

Financial Accounting

In-Year Management

Business Management

Delivery Support

Management Information

The job being advertised is for the Delivery Support Deputy Team Leader role. This team predominantly provides the assurance and scrutiny for the Downroute Aviation Services (DAS) to enable prompt payment of invoices. This includes civil airport bills for catering and ground handling for RAF aircrafts, when operating away from one of our bases. RAF activity currently generates approximately 1000 invoices per month.

Other management responsibilities will include overseeing the following: new supplier accounts; raising invoices using an invoice request system WEBIris; liaising with Defence Business Services (DBS); producing fuel stats; managing the Use of Military Airfields by Civil Aircraft (Civil Use) ensuring approval is sought, fees are paid and insurance is in place. The Delivery Support Team also provide support to the wider Finance Operations and Management Reporting processes and teams.

Longer-term workplace management policies following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions are still in development, but as they convert to Business as usual the postholder will be expected to work primarily in the office at RAF High Wycombe. Where feasible, team members are permitted some flexibility for working from home, but without the right to do so.

The post is open for all working patterns but please note that part time or job share may potentially only be considered if full time cover can be achieved

Responsibilities

In this role you will be expected to undertake the following specific tasks:

• Leading the Delivery Support Team, providing strategic direction.

• Responsible for the wellbeing and development of the team.

• Undertake the regular cycle of people management including dealing with attendance and performance, setting meaningful objectives, awards, recruitment and grievance issues.

• Accountable for the delivery of the team’s outputs, ensuring they are completed efficiently and in line with expectations of quality of service.

• Maintaining a key role in the fuel accounting process, capturing down-route fuel volumes and prices to enable the Financial Accounting team to monitor price variances and deliver an accurate forward forecast.

• A desire to drive the automation of processes, enabling a more efficient service to stakeholders.

• Accountable for key stakeholder engagement and point of contact for escalation and resolution of issues.

• Build and maintain business knowledge, utilising best practice.

• Lead on change and continuous improvement within the team; encouraging more agile ways of working, using visual management and being proactive in getting things done.

In order to deliver these responsibilities, the successful candidate will need to demonstrate experience as follows:

Essential:

• Strong leadership skills with evidence of successfully developing teams.

• A keen eye for detail with evidence of analysing data and identifying errors.

• A proven track record of driving and implementing change.

• Adaptable and willing to review priorities to meet current and future business needs.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with evidence of stakeholder management.

Desirable:

• A good understanding of Downroute Aviation Services.

• A good understanding of the NATO Support Procurement Agency (NSPA) process.

• Level 4 qualification with AAT, CCAB, CIMA or equivalent, or working towards.

• Finance experience over an extended period.

If not already held, the successful candidate will need to attain the MOD Financial Skills Certificate Intermediate level in In-Year Management, within six months of taking up the appointment.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace