UK Ministry of Defence
Assistant Head Finance Systems, Change and Management Information
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Job Summary
Do you want to work on one of 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
The Assistant Head Finance Systems, Change and Management Information will lead and implement this change across the Finance function, while managing key interfaces with the wider DHS, Defence Business Services (DBS) and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). You will ensure the delivery of strategic change priorities and drive continuous improvement across the function and wider organisation.
Working across DHS in support of the Finance Director, the role will focus on improving efficiency, standardising ways of working, strengthening reporting and customer service, and maximising the effective use of MOD financial systems and the Infrastructure Management System (IMS), while leading Finance input into DHS's Future Systems Programme.
You will provide Finance Change Lead expertise across lean, digital and systems-enabled change, engaging across DHS, DBS and DIO to shape and deliver improvements.
Acting as the focal point for infrastructure and finance systems, you will define financial requirements, promote system optimisation, safeguard data integrity, and provide subject matter expertise to strengthen financial information, support decision-making and improve business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:
- Support the DHS Finance Senior Leadership Team in driving transformational change and continuous improvement across the Finance Function and wider enterprise.
- Review and evaluate existing processes, systems and ways of working to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, effectiveness, standardisation and digitalisation.
- Develop and maintain a prioritised programme of change requirements, working collaboratively with DIO, DBS, DHS and wider business change stakeholders.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the Finance Function, strengthening capability, talent and organisational performance.
- Conduct training needs analysis and implement targeted learning interventions to maximise the adoption and effective use of digital solutions and financial information.
- Lead the implementation and embedding of system, process and organisational changes, ensuring successful transition and sustainable benefits realisation.
- Contribute to corporate strategy and business planning activities, assessing the implications for Finance resources, capabilities and ways of working.
- Support the development of the Finance Function's vision and case for change, enhancing financial capability across DHS and the wider enterprise.
- Monitor, measure and report on the benefits realised from new technologies, digital tools and improved ways of working.
- Represent DHS Finance at governance forums and change programmes, including the DHS Future Systems Programme, ensuring Finance requirements are effectively articulated and championed.
- Lead the improvement of DHS Finance’s Management Information and Reporting, exploiting digital solution and ensuring integrity of data and results.
- Lead, motivate and develop team members through effective coaching, empowerment and leadership, fostering a culture of continuous learning and ensuring individuals are supported to achieve high performance, build capability and progress their personal and professional development.
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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:
- Proven experience of leading or supporting change, continuous improvement or transformation.
- Practitioner Level – In Year Financial Management (Finance Competence Framework)
- Good understanding of finance systems, data, reporting and management information.
- Ability to work with senior stakeholders and delivery partners to shape and implement improvements
- Practitioner Level – Financial Planning (Finance Competence Framework)
- Working Level – Financial Governance (Finance Competence Framework)
The professional framework used in this vacancy can be found here: Finance Competence Framework
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
- Seeing the Big Picture
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Finance Competence Framework – In Year Financial Management – Practitioner Level
- Finance Competence Framework – Financial Governance – Working Level
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Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides here.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus one day a year up to 30 days after five years, and eight bank holidays
- An extra day off to honour the sovereign’s birthday
- Flexible and hybrid working wherever possible to support your work-life balance - attending site a few days each week will be required and encouraged, depending on your role and team.
- Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 28.97%
- Enhanced parental leave schemes
- Recognition awards
- Access to specialist training and funded professional qualifications
- Support for progression
- Huge range of discounts – plus more!
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 here for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:
At sift Stage, Applicants Will Be Required To Provide:
- A CV in the Job History section, ensuring it clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification. We encourage you to use specific evidence from your experience to illustrate your suitability for the role.
- A personal statement (no more than 500 words) providing specific examples of how you meet the top two most critical criteria for the role. Further guidance is given within the Personal Statement section of the application.
Applications will be assessed against the essential criteria, with each criterion scored on a scale of 1 to 7. An overall score will then be calculated using the average of all criterion scores. To progress beyond the sift stage, applicants must achieve a minimum score of 4 on every essential criterion. This means that even if your overall average score is 4 or higher, you will not progress if you score below 4 on any individual essential criterion.
Please note that, in the event of a high volume of applications, the selection panel reserves the right to increase the overall pass mark.
At interview, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours and Technical skills:
- Behaviour: Leadership
- Behaviour: Changing and Improving
- Behaviour: Working Together
- Behaviour: Seeing the Big Picture
- Technical skill: Finance Competence Framework – In Year Financial Management – Practitioner Level
- Technical skill: Finance Competence Framework – Financial Governance – Working Level
The professional framework used in this vacancy can be found here: Competence Framework Finance
In The Event Of a Tied Score At Interview, The Order Of Merit Will Be Distinguished Based On The Ranking Of The Assessed Behaviours And Technical Skills As Follows:
- Behaviour: Leadership
- Behaviour: Changing and Improving
- Technical skill: In Year Financial Management – Practitioner Level
- Behaviour: Working
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