Cost Management Lead

Job information Cost Management Lead from the Company Department for Work and Pensions, this latest Cost Management Lead job vacancy is located in the city Hybrid work in Newcastle upon Tyne. This latest job opening is open to job seekers who have the latest education / graduate . Job Vacancies in this Accounting field have been opened and published up to the specified time.

Job Description :

Details

Reference number

403446

Salary

£55,557 – £66,058

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

DWP – Corporate Transformation

Type of role

Corporate Finance Estates

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Birmingham, Blackpool, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Pontypridd, Sheffield

About the job

Job summary

For jobs located in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

From the design and development of policies to the delivery of services supporting work, welfare, pensions and child maintenance, DWP is the Government’s largest department.

People are at the very heart of what we do. We ensure disabled people can live more independent lives; help tackle poverty and homelessness; provide a financial foundation for a secure old age; and support families ensuring children can fulfil their potential.

DWP has the largest commercial estate in government and our team is committed to being smaller, greener and better – helping people to work, grow and thrive. Our estate provides accommodation for colleagues who support millions of daily customer interactions in Jobcentres and Health Assessment centres, back of house offices delivering frontline services and hub sites housing expert functions such as Policy, Finance, Digital and HR.

The DWP Estates function ensures the smooth and efficient operation of this network on a day-to-day basis. We manage a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as security guarding, maintenance, property and leasehold, construction, cleaning and facilities management. Many of these services are business critical and we cannot safely open our offices without them.

This senior role will report to the Estates Cost Management lead and be responsible and accountable for the management and reporting of costs associated with the overall management of the Estates Services budget. The post holder will work closely with the Department’s Estates Service Delivery, Field, Project and Asset Management teams to ensure costs associated with the services are fully controlled and accurately reported and adhere to the Department’s finance policies, procedures and processes, including the management of change.

The role will be responsible for providing and supporting the Head of Estates Function with the collation of accurate cost / financial data and management information in the development of the annual operating plan / budgets and month end process, working closely with the Department’s Finance Business Partners to ensure robust and accurate financial management and reporting.

Job description

Key accountabilities

• Lead their Cost Management Team responsible for all aspects of the Estates supply chain cost management. Provide line management and guidance, promoting wellbeing and learning and development opportunities to support development of commercial and contract knowledge. Promote or defend own and team’s actions and decisions where required.
• Oversee and ensure robust validation in the end-to-end management of costs and application for payments associated with the Estates Services. Ensuring their team deliver financial compliance and adherence to the Department’s financial business rules, policies, processes and procedures, challenging where necessary to ensure value for money and assure accurate billing.
• Ensure compliance with the ASCMs contractual terms associated with the billing and payment processes and delivering the agreed standard of works within the contractual approval limits and terms, including the management of change. Responsible for the management of change (where there is a change to the contractual value) including the application and tracking of any contractual change.
• Provide Management information based upon any findings derived from the validation of estimates and application for payments. Highlighting any potential risks / opportunities that require mitigating / further exploration.
• Review and report on-going performance of the ASCMs against contractual obligations associated with the cost management areas working in partnership with Estates Supply Chain Managers (operational and supply chain performance to be led by others).
• Responsible for the end-to-end management of accurate costs and reporting associated with the ASCMs services including the monthly reporting of actual cost and supporting forecasting and variance analysis etc. working with the DWP Estates Finance Business Partners to support financial month-end management accounting and reporting. Ensue accurate accruals are held and managed against actual cost.
• Support the Head of Estates Function and Estates Finance Business Partners in the development of the Estates Services annual budget / Spending Review requirements through the provision of accurate cost data and management information and reporting, driving financial performance to meet in-year budget targets and identify and proactively address opportunities for cost reduction, managing financial risks associated with the Estates Services management processes identifying suitable planning, controls and mitigation.
• Oversee and ensure the correct and accurate application of the financial business rules and policies when raising requisitions for Estates Services, to the correct cost category codes and delegated financial authority (DFA) levels. Ensuring these requisitions are supported with the necessary data / information to enable approval.
• Responsible for overall tracking of the ASCM payment status and amounts. Including but not limited to the purchase order status / value including committed costs / work in progress to ensure PO values are not breached.
• Develop papers, presentations, reports and any other management information requiring insights and knowledge of all cost and budget related information, associated with the Estates Services.
• Encourage collaborative working between teams and directorates to drive innovation and improve the cost and finance management processes and services e.g. Work in partnership with the Finance Business Partners and key stakeholders to develop and continually improve month-end financial reports, forecasts and ad hoc cost and financial reports associated with the Estates Services, where required.

Person specification

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Lead Requirement – Extensive cost management experience in a Property/Estates setting
• Strong commercial / operational experience gained within a Property and / or Facilities Management function within a large, matrix organisation. Confidence in working with Real Estate and related Statutory, Regulatory and Professional requirements and ensuring compliance
• Experience in financial modelling and the application of good commercial principles to multi-service delivery. A detailed working knowledge of contracting strategies within an Estates environment
• Experience of leading a team of Cost / Finance managers and building professional capacity and capability. Proven ability to build a high performing team, create a collaborative environment and manage performance effectively so all staff can bring their best self to work
• Experience and understanding of the management of assets and planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedules within a diverse Property portfolio (corporate, multi occupied, frontline) and assessing the impact on revenue and capital expenditure
• Demonstrable cost / financial Management and reporting experience across an Estates function; Interpretation and analysis of data to inform decision making, deliver value for money & identify savings, including application of related policies, processes and procedures. Robust skills to support budget management and influence financial forecasts by providing cost reporting and assurance across low value / high volume Estates Supply Chain activity
• Commercial awareness and astuteness connected with contractual obligations and interpretation with Estates Supply Chain Partners. Experience of working in partnership with Supply Chain Managers to deliver continuous improvement e.g. high-level management of key suppliers, experience of supporting supplier negotiations, management or escalation of issues, and engagement in key decision making with strategic consequences
• Experience of working in partnership with an Estates Integrator to deliver robust Cost Management systems and processes

Qualifications/Experience/Professional Memberships

Desirable

• AAT Level 3 or equivalent (including demonstrable experience). Or
• Degree qualified or equivalent in relevant Property and/or financial discipline

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,557, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £16,094 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro-rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Location

Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.

Hybrid Working

This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

STAGE 1 – APPLICATION & SIFT As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement of no more than 1000 words against the essential criteria as outlined above. You will also be asked to provide a short CV.

Your CV should be fairly short and just evidence very brief details of your work history and Qualifications. (It will not be scored)

Please do not submit a speculative application where you do not meet at least 50% of the essential criteria as these applications will be unsuccessful. Do not include Behaviour examples within your application as these will not be assessed in the sift and will only be used at interview stage. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. There will be an initial sift of applications based on the Personal Statement only, so please ensure you evidence how you meet the Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience requirement contained in the vacancy in this section. This will form a short list for interview. STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single virtual video interview.

The interview will follow a blended approach which will help us assess candidates Behaviours and Strengths.

You may also be asked an additional question to validate your knowledge which will be measured against the essential criteria as specified in the vacancy.

Presentation

If invited to interview you will be required to do a 5 minute presentation at the start of your interview. Details of the presentation and what is required will be supplied as part of the invite to interview.

Currently the sift is scheduled to take place w/c 26th May and interview dates w/c 9th June . Interviews are scheduled to take place virtually and dates are subject to change.

Further Information

Find out more about Working for DWP

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP’s terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

The evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. If evidence of plagiarism, or sharing of questions, information or answers throughout any part of the selection process is found, your application will be withdrawn. Examples of plagiarism can include:

• Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own

• Copying content from an online/published source

• Using forms of Artificial Intelligence to produce application content which you present as your own.

Reasonable Adjustment

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Jan Glover
• Email : jan.glover@dwp.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.