AMS PSR

On behalf of Defra, we are looking for a Business Transformation Finance Manager (Inside IR35) until 31st March 2026 contract based REMOTELY/ UK.

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future. 
• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production. 
• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs www.gov.uk. 

25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK www.gov.uk .

This role will be central to the delivery of the Finance Service Offer Change (FSOC) Project, responsible for helping to define a clear, strategic Finance Operating Model and transforming financial planning and ownership across Defra Group (Core, EA, RPA, NE & APHA).

You will provide senior-level leadership across multiple working groups, ensuring dependencies are managed effectively and that the Finance Function is prepared for Synergy and long-term operational excellence.

Ideal for someone who brings high-level finance expertise, public sector experience, and a proven track record of challenging long‑standing processes to drive meaningful, strategic transformation.

As a Business Transformation Finance Manager, your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead the design and development of Defra’s Finance Service Offer (FSO)—shaping a clearly defined and future‑proof Finance Operating Model aligned to GovS006 and organisational priorities.
• Oversee and coordinate the four FSOC Working Groups, ensuring cross‑functional alignment and managing interdependencies with the Synergy consolidation programme.
• Drive strategic transformation across the Finance Function, challenging existing structures, processes, and governance to remove duplication and improve clarity of roles and responsibilities.
• Champion best practice from across government, ensuring all changes reflect GovS006 standards and align with other departmental finance operating models.
• Provide subject matter expertise on financial planning, management, controls, and service delivery—enabling smarter, faster decision-making across the Defra Group.
• Engage senior stakeholders and partners, building strong relationships and ensuring the redesigned service offer meets their needs and adds measurable value.

Essential:

• Finance expert with deep knowledge of public sector financial management, including planning, budgeting, controls, governance, and service delivery.
• Proven experience transforming a Finance Service Offer or Finance Target Operating Model within a UK government department or large public sector body.
• Expert understanding of the Government Functional Standards (GovS006) and ability to embed these within organisational structures and processes.
• Significant programme or project leadership experience, with the ability to manage complex, cross‑organisational change programmes.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving skills, with the confidence to challenge established ways of working and drive continuous improvement.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, with experience influencing senior leaders and navigating complex governance environments.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".