Location
London Borough of Croydon

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£59,167 per annum

About the Role
The Government Legal Department (GLD) provides legal advice to government departments on a wide range of critical issues, supporting the Government to govern well within the rule of law. The Bona Vacantia Division (BVD) manages ownerless assets, ensuring they are handled effectively for the benefit of the general exchequer. The Governance, Operations and Finance (GOF) team sits at the heart of BVD, delivering essential business functions including budget management, invoicing, expenses, strategic planning, and programme delivery.

As a Grade 7 within GOF, you will provide senior operational leadership across financial management and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with divisional and organisational priorities. You will lead financial planning, performance management, and maintain oversight of the Division’s financial arrangements with GLD, applying strong financial discipline to ensure value for money and compliance with departmental standards.

You will deliver high-quality reporting and governance, advising senior leaders to support decision-making, and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including HM Treasury, auditors, and GLD colleagues. The role includes leading and developing people, supporting line managers, and strengthening capability across BVD through effective learning and development.

Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end budget management including planning, monitoring, forecasting and reporting
- Oversee day-to-day financial operations and forward planning
- Provide financial insight including variance analysis, risks and opportunities
- Develop and embed a quality assurance framework for bona vacantia casework
- Prepare briefings, reports and corporate returns for senior leadership
- Support financial aspects of strategic projects
- Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships
- Lead coordination of the annual Crown Nominee Accounts audit
- Set and communicate levels of delegated financial authority
- Line manage and develop the HEO GOF Manager and mentor new line managers
- Lead delivery of the Division’s Learning and Development plan
- Maintain oversight of BVD’s Risk Registers and support Audit & Risk Committee attendance
- Chair the Fraud Working Group to strengthen governance and compliance

Experience
- Strong financial management and forecasting with robust governance, risk and audit capability
- Experience managing operational risk and developing effective controls
- Experience quality assuring complex or high-risk work ensuring consistent, evidence-based decision-making
- Ability to analyse data or assurance activity to generate insight supporting senior decision-making
- Ability to deliver high-quality reporting and clear, accurate advice to senior stakeholders

About you
- Demonstrates excellent communication and influencing skills
- Works effectively with others and promotes collaboration
- Committed to developing self and others through mentoring and leadership
- Strong judgement and financial discipline with a focus on value for money and compliance

Qualifications
- Security Clearance: Must hold or be willing to obtain Security Check (SC) level clearance. Appointment is conditional upon obtaining required clearance.
- Knowledge of bona vacantia law and relevant legislation (Administration of Estates Act 1925, Company Law, Property Law) is desirable but not essential.