Battersea
The Finance team provides finance and budgeting support to staff, managers and members of PCS. The department is about to embark on a digital transformation that will modernise how the Finance department operates for the Union. We are looking for a Head of Finance that will drive and lead this project whilst maintaining continuity of service operation to the union, members and staff and, to join a progressive union that values collaboration, integrity, and social impact. Salary and Location Band 5, London Spine points 21-17 or Regional Spine points 23-19 Starting salary: London £63,279 p.a. rising to £72,098 p.a. or Regional £58,877 p.a. rising to £67,689, in annual increments (pay award pending) PCS Clapham or Regional office Successful candidates for the post of Head of FInance will be able to demonstrate: You are a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, ACMA, CIPFA) and or have an MBA with: 5 years proven experience of managing a successful finance team Proven experience in strategic financial leadership Strong knowledge of financial systems, compliance, and reporting Project management and delivery in a financial setting Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills Management of internal and external audit processes A commitment to equality, inclusion, and the values of the trade union movement The main duties of the Head of Finance role include: Strong leadership and effective management of the finance team Lead and manage the implementation and optimisation of a new finance system to ensure cost-efficiency through service reviews and technology adoption Deliver strategic financial advice to senior stakeholders Lead the unions financial services, focusing on complex and high-impact areas Support medium and long-term financial planning for the Director of Central Services and Senior Management Team Oversee management accounts, year-end financial reports, and budget cycles Ensure compliance with VAT, Corporation Tax, PAYE, and regulatory reporting (e.g., AR21) Provide accurate financial data and strategic insights to decision-makers Strengthen audit processes and investment oversight Ensure integrity in transaction processing and ledger management Maintain compliance with data protection and service level agreements Support supplier relationship management Excellent people and leadership skills combined with strong analytical skills, and problem solving ability, and an understanding of up-to-date finance technology will all be essential requirements for a successful Head of Finance. Closing date: at 12 midday on Thursday 12 March 2026 Interviews will be held in person at PCS Clapham: Wednesday 25 March 2026 About PCS PCS is the Public and Commercial Services Union, representing many thousands of members working in the civil service and related areas. Employer Benefits You will have access to a generous package of staff benefits including flexible working (including hybrid working) childcare and family support generous maternity/paternity leave 32 days leave and Christmas closure pension scheme employee assistance programme Learning and Development The union offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. We will work with you to support your continued professional development. PCS Recruiting Process We use CVMinder to manage all recruitment activities. It helps us to maintain our commitment to equality and diversity by ensuring that we are fair and compliant with our recruiting practices. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified. Candidates invited for interview are required to make themselves available on the date/s specified. Interview dates cannot be changed to accommodate candidates who are unavailable to attend on the specified date. CVs will not be accepted. Please see the job description/person specification and follow the application process. PCS is working towards equal opportunities and is positive about disabled people. All posts can be considered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis. Please view our guidance for applicants. JOB DESCRIPTION: HEAD OF FINANCE Ref: 0326 Grade: Band 5, London or Region Salary: London Spine points 21-17 London Starting salary £63,279 p.a. rising to £72,098 p.a. Regional Spine points 23-19 Regional Starting salary £58,877 p.a. rising to £67,689 Location: PCS Clapham (London) or PCS regional offices Purpose of the job: Management and leadership of the PCS Finance Team and the provison of strategic financial advice to the National Executive Committee and other bodies. Responsible for the management of the compilation and production of all management accounts, PCS annual audit, budgets, cash-flow and financial planning reports and annual reports. Responsible for the integrity and completeness of the accounting records, ensuring taxation compliance. To manage the modernisation of PCS finance system and to work with our providers to introduce digital products to support PCS primary financial accounting management system. To engage stakeholders and drive strategic change to optimise the efficiency of the financial operations and contribute towards PCS overall strategic direction of the PCS Union. Responsible to: Director of Central Services Responsible for: Internal Audit & Funding Manager and Finance & Budget Manager Contacts External: PCS members, elected officials and potential members. Employers, Legal, pension and other advisors. TUC, Members of other trade unions and related bodies. Senior Government Officials, Ministers, MPs, pressure groups, campaigning bodies and media, Auditors, financial institutions and Investment Managers. Internal: PCS staff and managers across Regions and Departments Main duties and responsibilities 1.People Management Manage work allocation and workflow, future planning and support for Finance Team and Director of Central Services Motivate and manage individuals and the team as a whole to provide a high standard of service to develop and improve the skills and efficiency of the Finance team Check work standards and maintain consistent quality of delegated tasks Seek to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the team Through induction, the appraisal system and one-to-ones, identify staff training and development needs, train or organise formal/informal training for the Finance Team Proactively promote diversity and inclusion in line with the wider PCS approach Apply the staff conduct policies as and when required e.g. discipline, grievance, capability, dignity at work and IT security policies Provide advice and deal with complex issues related to staff management including disciplinary or grievance in consultation with line manager Ensure that the health, safety and welfare of staff is maintained and improved, in accordance with PCS and statutory policies Work effectively with lay officials. Provide advice to and lead relevant committees including the preparation and presentation of reports Deputise for line manager when required 2.Strategy and Advice Ensure the provision of strategic financial advice and guidance to a wide range of stakeholders Provide leadership in delivering the unions Financial Services, having direct involvement in more complex or strategic areas to support the delivery of the unions objectives Prepare and manage delegated budgets in accordance with the Unions overall financial policies and procedures ensuring services are delivered within the agreed budgets Provide medium and long term financial planning support to the Director of Central Services and Senior Management team Oversee reviews of service prices and providers, making proposals for savings and change, seeking to exploit changing technologies and methods to reduce costs, wherever possible, in line with budgetary and policy constraints Oversee statistical systems to produce reports and analyse information within the Finance department Monitor and report on issues and initiatives as requested 3 . Strategy and Advice Ensure the provision of strategic financial advice and guidance to a wide range of stakeholders Provide leadership in delivering the unions Financial Services, having direct involvement in more complex or strategic areas to support the delivery of the unions objectives Prepare and manage delegated budgets in accordance with the Unions overall financial policies and procedures ensuring services are delivered within the agreed budgets Provide medium and long term financial planning support to the Director of Central Services and Senior Management team Oversee reviews of service prices and providers, making proposals for savings and change, seeking to exploit changing technologies and methods to reduce costs, wherever possible, in line with budgetary and policy constraints Oversee statistical systems to produce reports and analyse information within the Finance department Monitor and report on issues and initiatives as requested 4.Finance Systems Manage the introduction, implementation and continuous monitoring of a new finance system to provide effective budget management at every level of the union Provide detailed financial data and reporting, including management accounts and strategic advice, to the National Executive Committee/Senior Management Team Provide straightforward access to budgets for all budget holders to facilitate better planning and cash flow management Ensure resources are optimised to enable good decision-making across each command area Review and update where necessary current audit processes to ensure compliance with the Trade Union Certification Officer Provide investment oversight, forecasting, and asset management to the Director of Central Services, and produce relevant information to support spending and investment decisions Ensure controls are in place and adhered to, to manage management override risks Maintain professional financial relationships with suppliers and customers 5.Operational Management Oversee and ensure the integrity of the unions transaction processing at all times Ensure all liabilities are recorded, payments made, receipts banked and ledgers managed in line with best practice Ensure all service level agreements are adhered to by the Finance department, and developed where necessary Ensure data protection adherence and finance systems are secure Assist the Director of Central Services in managing relationships with suppliers 6. Group and Branch Funding Oversee PCS work with Special Member Auditors to ensure the completion of union group and branch audit procedures in line with rules and Finance Committee requirements Provide assistance to group and branch treasurers, including training courses Provide reports as required for the Finance Committee Ensure expenses are paid in line with Service Level Agreement requirements 7. Finance Training and good practice Participate in the dissemination of financial knowledge across the union. Organise and participate in periodic financial training programmes for budget-holders, treasurers and members 8. Communication Draft complex communications including briefs, reports, business cases, for internal and external stakeholders Draft papers, policies and regulations in relation to financial management Communicate with members by producing circulars and briefings, and by addressing meetings and conferences etc Represent PCS where necessary and liaise with outside professional bodies such as auditors Provide financial information as required by other areas of the Union, in particular treasurers, or other bodies 9. Team Working Proactively promote team working and collaboration Initiate, organise, lead and participate in team meetings as appropriate Maintain high levels of confidentiality of sensitive issues at all times Provide assistance to team members Manage and co-ordinate staff on issues arising from new working practises, one off projects, or annual projects such as conference 10.Equality Contribute to PCS policies on equal opportunities by developing innovative workplace strategies to tackle inequality and discrimination 11.General Contribute to the strategic development of the Unions policy objectives including the PCS planning process At all times implement and promote the PCSs equal opportunities policy adhering to the PCS Values Take due and reasonable care of self and others in respect of health and safety at work Participate in appraisal, training and development systems Act in a manner that enhances the work of the PCS and its overall public image In all work activities, comply with data protection legislation and PCSs requirements for the protection of personal information and the privacy of individuals Such other duties that may reasonably be required and that are within the level of the responsibility of this post Willing to work outside normal office hours and location on occasion. (e.g. attendance at Annual Delegate Conference) Person Specification: HEAD OF FINANCE Ref: 0326 Date: January 2026 Location: London or Region ESSENTIAL FACTORS QUALIFICATION Qualification in Finance and/or Business Management (ACA,ACCA,ACMA,CIPFA,) and/or MBA with minimum of 5 years' proven management experience in finance EXPERIENCE People management including induction, work allocation, appraisal and conduct Experience of working at strategic management level in finance Management accounts production and compilation of year end accounts, external reports and audit processes Management of payroll and pensions administration Project management and delivery in a financial setting TRAINING (including continuous professional development) Evidence of ongoing training and continuing professional development Commitment to undertake job-related training Commitment to participation in appraisal and development review process Commitment to staff development KNOWLEDGE Management Accountancy Financial management and taxation including VAT, Corporate tax and PAYE compliance Contract and regulatory compliance management Impact and use of Financial Digital and IT applications An understanding of and a commitment to trade unions SKILLS Ability to communicate effectively using written and oral channels, including reports and presentations, with a variety of audiences Ability to negotiate and form effective working relationships internally and externally Ability to provide strategic and policy implementation advice and guidance Proficient with Reporting, Data Analytics tools and performance metrics Ability to deliver and adapt financial training to audiences without financial knowledge/expertise OTHER Commitment to the application of Equal Opportunities policies and practices at work Understanding of own role in maintaining legal compliances within PCS (e.g. data protection; health and safety) Flexible approach to work and willing to work outside of normal office hours and location on occasions TPBN1_UKTJ
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