Finance & Commercial Director
£121,400 per annum
2-year Fixed Term Contract
(with possibility of extension dependant on PTP)
About Gov Facility Services Ltd
GFSL delivers Total Facilities Management Services for the Southern HMPPS Prisons Estate turning over £150m a year with over 1300 members of staff.
GFSL has been set up as a not-for-profit company with the sole purpose of delivering services to the prison estate, with a clear focus on safety, customer experience, assurance, and quality. Working alongside our customer, HMPPS, we recognise the key role we play in maintaining the living and welfare conditions of prisoners as well as programmes that support the rehabilitation of prisoners.
Our vision is to "Support a world class justice system by being the best value provider for facilities services". The business is a limited company wholly owned by the Ministry of Justice, our employees are public servants and we operate within the HM Treasury guidelines on Managing Public Money.
Core Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Finance & Commercial Director will be a member of the main Board and lead the Finance, Commercial and Supply Chain Teams, upholding an ethos of integrity, objectivity, and honesty.
The key strategic goals are Safety and Value. The Finance and Commercial directorate keeps the business safe and delivers value through managing change in the scope of our services, controlling the quality of our supply chain, and providing high quality financial information, effective systems and proportionate controls. We work collaboratively with budget holders, the MOJ and supply chain partners.
The post holder will be expected to play a key role in preparing the business for its handover as an outcome of the Property Transformation Programme.
Main responsibilities
Strategic leadership and development of the Finance and Commercial directorate, setting an inclusive and supportive culture with an emphasis on continuous improvement.
Advising the Chief Executive/Accounting Officer and the Board on finance and commercial matters.
Development and delivery of FM services through a qualified, competent and secure external supply chain and clearly defined specifications, ensuring GFSL's and MOJ's business objectives are met.
Working collaboratively with our MOJ customers and GFSL colleagues to:-
Agree and operate effective change control processes.
Agree the maintenance specification.
Improve the accuracy of asset records.
Deliver effective financial and commercial management of the company including accurate, reliable and timely management information, linking to performance information, providing the business with the data needed to support decision making.
Provide business partnering to support budget holders with their finance and commercial responsibilities, develop their capability and promote a collaborative approach.
Develop effective and proportionate policies and procedures and systems of internal control.
Ensure high quality external reporting and accountability.
Ensure compliance with public procurement regulations, Managing Public Money, the FReM and the Companies Act.
Build open and collaborative working relationships with MOJ colleagues, ensuring that GFSL receive the funding required to deliver our business objectives.
Eligibility
There must be no employment restrictions, or time limit on your permitted stay in the UK. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for at least three years prior to your application.
Essential Criteria
Fully qualified accountant with at least 7 - 10 years post qualified experience
Experience of leading a Finance team in a comparable organisation.
Experience of managing a function outside of your own professional background.
Expert financial planning, analysis and reporting skills - with the ability to successfully manage budgets and improve VFM.
Excellent client relationship management and interpersonal skills.
Desirable Criteria
Knowledge of HM Treasury guidance including Managing Public Money and the Financial Reporting Manual.
Knowledge of public procurement legislation.
Other attributes and other requirements
Parts of the Finance and Supply Chain teams are based in Sheffield so the post holder will be expected to visit the Sheffield office at least once a month. There are regular meetings with MOJ held face to face in MOJ's offices in London. Board and Committee and executive team meetings are also often face to face in the MOJ's offices in London. The post holder will also be required to visit our Operations teams on sites in the Southern Prisons Estate. The organisation is supportive of and encourages flexible working.
GFSL embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace.
We are able to offer an interview to candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of positions.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you need additional help completing the application, please contact the recruitment team by emailing
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve.
It is our ongoing aspiration to be an employer of choice.
We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and provides a sense of belonging.
The Appointment Process
The selection process will be:
Online application and Statement of suitability (for initial sift). Pre-qualification calls
1st interview
Psychometrics (for personality type and emotional intelligence)
2nd interview
The panel will be:
Neil Edmond (CEO)
MOJ Representative (TBC)
Fiona Potter (People Director)