Senior Strategic Finance Analyst

Senior Strategic Finance Analyst

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

Location
:
Birmingham, Bristol, London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, York

Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day‑to‑day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. This vacancy is in our Strategic Finance Team.

Strategic Finance sits at the heart of Defra's decision making offering a unique opportunity to influence and shape how resources are allocated to protect the environment and support rural communities. We straddle the policy and finance communities. Our team advise the Secretary of State and Permanent Secretary on the department's financial position and the policy and operational choices open to them in order to manage it.

We own the institutional relationship with His Majesty's Treasury (HMT), engaging frequently with our HMT spending team. We lead fiscal events including Spending Reviews and the Budget. We work across the department in all stages of policy and delivery, and oversee annual and medium‑term financial and policy planning. We have a role in commercial assessment and investment approval and oversee mains and supplementary estimates.

We have specific policy responsibilities alongside the finance role, and a role in the formal policy development and decision‑making process at all levels. We produce and communicate, at senior levels, strategic level management information, supported by analysis functions.

This is a role for an analytical, proactive, and collaborative individual who thrives on complexity, enjoys problem‑solving, and can confidently engage with senior stakeholders. You’ll make a real difference by bringing fresh insight, improving strategic reporting, and strengthening Defra’s position with HM Treasury. The role offers significant autonomy within a supportive team environment, balancing responsibility with collaboration, and working at pace on high‑profile issues.

In return, you’ll receive tailored learning and development, mentoring, and support for professional qualifications, all within a culture that values inclusion, flexibility, and continuous growth.

• Developing a strategic understanding of the business, stakeholders, and deliverables.
• Leading the analysis of the monthly ringfenced budget position to inform ExCo and Defra Senior Leaders and to support strategic decision making.
• Ensuring input into key finance activities, such as Defra’s Annual Report and Accounts, is timely and accurate and that relevant interim and year‑end information is provided.
• Building strong relationships with colleagues from HMT Spending Team and Defra Finance teams to provide a joined‑up service.
• Analysing large datasets to produce meaningful outputs for finance and non‑finance colleagues and providing insight into financial data at a strategic level.
• Providing advice on compliance with financial policy and accountabilities as outlined in the Consolidated Budget Guidance to ensure departmental spending remains within specified control totals.
• Working with all relevant stakeholders to develop enhanced and automated strategic reporting via Qlik and SOP solutions.
• Shared management of Team mailbox, triage of emails and taking ownership for responses to ad‑hoc inquiries, including Parliamentary Questions (PQs)/Freedom of Information requests (FOIs).

• Strong financial background.
• Excellent analytical and data management skills and the capacity to get senior leaders to focus on critical issues.
• Proven ability to present to senior financial and non‑financial colleagues.
• Independent, proactive, and confident in handling high‑profile issues.
• Build positive relationships and personal credibility.
• Ability to influence key stakeholders through excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to present information…