Head of Finance & Planning

Post Title: Head of Finance & Planning
Team: Finance, Planning & Governance
Ref No: 202536
Grade: G7

A Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA) up to £4,000 per annum, pro-rata, may be agreed. This allowance is discretionary and will depend on candidate's qualifications and experience.

This post will have a base in Peterborough or Aberdeen. JNCC has adopted a hybrid working approach, allowing colleagues to benefit from time in the office, with the flexibility also to work from home. Employees are expected to work from one of our office bases for a few days a month as a minimum with attendance expected at regular face to face team meetings. Arrangements will vary by team and the exact balance will depend on the nature of your role. We can provide more details at the interview and offer stages.

Who are JNCC?

Established in 1991, we’re the UK’s statutory advisor on issues affecting the natural environment across the UK and internationally. Our primary role is advising all four Governments of the UK. We also work with private sector organisations to support decision making on the sustainable use of marine waters and natural resources around the UK. JNCC is led by the Joint Committee, which brings together members from the nature conservation bodies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and independent members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under an independent Chair. Support is provided to the Committee by approx. 300 people who bring together scientific and technical expertise, extensive knowledge of policy at global, European and national levels, and skills in working with other organisations. Staff are based in two main offices in Peterborough and Aberdeen.

Why JNCC?

We’re small enough (c.300 staff) that your voice is heard by everyone including the CEO, but big enough that we have all the skills, resources and people you’ll need to get the job done. All our staff are passionate about conservation and making a difference to the world we live in. We have a very flexible, inclusive and welcoming organisational culture. Our Executive Management provides employees with the freedom and tools you will need, and our friendly team will assist you in your role.

JNCC is committed to maintaining employee health and wellbeing, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially or socially, and offers a range of benefits to support employees in this. Such benefits include the option to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, professional and personal development opportunities as well as an exciting job in a unique environment.

Hours of work: Full-time

Normal minimum hours of attendance for the post are 36 hours per week over a 5-day period, Monday to Friday.

Flexi time is available. This post may also be suitable for job share.

Annual Leave:

The annual leave allowance is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days per year after 5 years’ service. There are also 12 days public and privilege leave. Part-time staff will receive this on a pro rata basis.

Post background

We are seeking to appoint a Head of Finance & Planning to play a critical leadership role within our Finance, Planning & Governance team. Reporting to the Director of Finance, Planning & Governance, this postholder will take operational responsibility for the financial delivery of JNCC’s strategic and statutory objectives.

This is a pivotal role that supports the financial planning, management, reporting, control and procurement functions across JNCC. You will ensure robust financial systems, effective compliance with government guidance including Managing Public Money, and deliver timely, high-quality information to a range of internal and external stakeholders.

You will work closely with the Director of Finance, Planning & Governance to deliver sustainable financial strategies and act as a key source of financial expertise across the organisation. This includes preparing the Annual Report and Accounts, managing in-year forecasts and reporting, contributing to audit processes, and supporting procurement oversight.

The postholder will also line-manage the Finance & Planning team and foster a culture of financial awareness and accountability across the organisation.

This is a broad role for an ambitious finance professional looking to extend or consolidate their technical skills while developing their financial leadership experience within a supportive and encouraging environment. We welcome applicants with more experience in one aspect of the role than others as flexibility, enthusiasm and a strong motivation to learn and develop are also essential attributes for candidates.

Post Duties

The post holder is a senior individual within the Finance & Planning team and plays a pivotal role in supporting the operational delivery of JNCC’s financial strategy. They will contribute to the strategic and day-to-day functions and ensure effective delivery of plans, underpinned by robust short- to medium-term financial objectives. Working with the Director of Finance, Planning & Governance, finance and procurement colleagues and other colleagues within the organisation, the post holder’s responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• ensuring organisation-wide financial systems and processes are compliant with statutory responsibilities and the effective delivery of JNCC’s national remit as an Arm’s Length Body (ALB).
• developing strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), auditors, and other ALBs as required.
• contributing to the financial reporting and assurance processes, providing high-quality information to the Finance and Resources Director and other stakeholders, including committee papers, management reports and external returns.
• supporting the development and maintenance of JNCC’s financial plans, including in-year monitoring, forecasting, and medium-term financial strategy, under the direction of the Director of Finance, Planning & Governance.
• contributing to the development of systems and processes that support the wider organisation, including financial controls, procurement oversight, and financial risk management.
• providing technical financial advice in line with best practice, managing public money principles, and JNCC’s framework agreement with Defra.
• supporting the integrity of financial data, ensuring timely and accurate monthly reporting and overseeing the financial accounts production.
• building and maintaining positive and constructive relationships with internal stakeholders, including the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) with budgetary responsibility. They will contribute to a culture of financial awareness across the organisation through guidance and training.
• deputising for the Director of Finance, Planning & Governance where appropriate and providing line management to the Finance & Planning team, ensuring an effective and responsive finance function.
• supporting key tasks relating to monthly budget management, production of management accounts, audit support, preparation of the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA), and related regulatory and policy compliance activities.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Organisation.

Technical

To be a successful candidate you will be/have:

• a qualified accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA);
• strong technical finance skills, including knowledge of public sector financial management principles and processes as well International Financial Reporting Standards to oversee the preparation of accounts and other financial reports.

Experience (Responsibilities)

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• Strong leadership skills with demonstrable experience of developing high performing finance teams
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with a proven track record in working confidently across teams to develop effective and trusted working relationships and proven ability to constructively challenge and influence decision-making at senior levels
• Proven ability to analyse and interpret complex financial data and present it clearly to both finance and non-finance audiences
• Evidence of leading the development and continuous improvement of financial systems, controls, and reporting processes
• Demonstrated capability to plan and manage competing priorities across short, medium, and long-term timeframes
• Experience of preparing statutory accounts and liaising with auditors and external stakeholders

Behaviours

The following behaviours will be assessed at application stage via your responses to the experience requirements outlined above and also further assessed at interview stage.

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on the Technical Skills and Lead Behaviour of Leadership

Please see the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade.

Nationality requirements 

This job is broadly open to the following groups: 

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

JNCC do not provide sponsorship.

Closing date and interview date

The closing date for this post is 23:55 on Sunday, 10 August 2025
The anticipated interview date is week commencing Monday, 25 August 2025