Director of Finance

ONR is not a Civil Service department, however, we are an arms length body of Department of Work and Pensions., As part of its 2025 strategy ONR is committed to being a modern and transparent regulator, delivering trusted outcomes and value. We are making substantial investments in new digital technologies and skills to enhance our regulatory processes and management of information.
As a key member of the ONR Executive and senior leadership team, and working with and at Board level, the Finance Director will have responsibility for leading the Finance Directorate (finance, procurement, commercial, risk management, estates) functions to deliver strategic intent coherently, effectively, and efficiently.
Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive, the Finance Director will lead and contribute to a ‘One ONR’ culture which inspires all staff to be their best and deliver strategic objectives. With responsibility for leading the Finance Directorate this role will focus on providing advice and expert guidance to the Deputy Chief Executive (DCE), Chief Executive / Chief Nuclear Inspector (CE/CNI), wider director community and Board on financial management governance and control, risk, estates, commercial matters, and Accounting Officer responsibilities. With possible future opportunity to take on a broader role within the corporate portfolio.
You will be expected to lead by example and deliver all your duties in line with ONR Values., + Lead, manage and provide strategic direction to the ONR Executive and Senior Team, wider Organisation and ONR Board of Directors on matters related to the Finance Directorate which enable ONR to achieve its goals, vision, and mission.
+ Provide strong and effective leadership of the Finance Directorate and the wider organisation.
+ Lead efficient and effective delivery of the Finance Directorate business plan ensuring it is aligned with ONR priorities and optimises collaboration across ONR and with relevant external stakeholders.
+ Ensure meaningful, effective, and value-adding contribution to ONR’s strategy.
+ Promote and sustain effective financial probity, governance, accountability, and control throughout the organisation.
+ Ensure sound financial management and use of resources that demonstrate value for money and optimise efficiency.
+ Embed effective procurement and commercial strategies aligned to commercial best practice; enhance the organisations’ commercial acumen and business focus.
+ Set direction, lead and drive change and improvement, across the directorate and wider organisation, role modelling behaviours in line with ONR’s desired culture and values., + Deliver expert opinion, impartial robust advice and support on all commercial planning, risk, and financial matters to the ONR Board, CE/CNI and DCE so that accounting and audit requirements are met, in line with Managing Public Money.
+ Lead production of, and reporting on, budgets, business plans, annual report and accounts, statutory returns, and controls.
+ Lead ONR’s Integrated Audit and Assurance activity, including Regulatory Assurance.
+ Lead delivery of all estate’s functions, with emphasis on rigorous contract management and re-negotiation of leases.
+ Work with colleagues to improve certainty of industry charging and optimise our charging arrangements in line with the prevailing legal framework and charging strategy.
+ Liaise with DWP, DESNZ and industry stakeholders to sustain confidence in ONR’s charging and financial management.
+ Executive Director and lead officer for ARAC, and with ARAC Chair, setting agenda to ensure quality of assurance and engagement.
+ Empower, coach, and manage to develop organisational capability (for example setting direction, engaging people, delivering results at pace and effective decision making) and promote effective succession planning in the directorate.
+ Provide high quality support to the organisation through business partnering, collaboration and engagement, drive value for money, effective governance, and operational efficiency.
+ As a member of Corporate Services Leadership Team (CSLT), and an executive member of the Board provide strategic leadership and drive change and continuous improvement within your own directorate and across the wider organisation.
+ Take on Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) accountabilities for strategic change projects and deliver to time, cost, quality, and scope with full engagement.
Corporate Responsibilities
+ As an Executive Director, attend and support the Board and its committees as required, ensuring good governance and strong strategic direction, which is informed by insight and knowledge of ONR’s operating environment.
+ Be an active member of the Corporate Services Leadership Team (CSLT), leading and planning improvement of all directorate areas, actively seeking to align resource to operational demands.
+ Lead and support change projects to improve operations and value for money.
Functional Leadership
+ Ensure the team delivers to the agreed standards of functional and cross functional teamwork and service, aligned to ONR’s principles and culture.
+ Establish Finance Directorate team goals that are fully aligned with the business goals.
+ Lead and coach the team to retain high calibre staff that embrace ONR’s values and culture.
+ Drive sustained excellence and address poor performance effectively.
+ The successful candidate will be responsible for the effective management stewardship of the organisation’s budget of c. £115m, + A suitability statement (maximum of 1200 words) highlighting how you meet all the “essential skills and job-related expertise” required for the role, which will be used at shortlisting in conjunction with your CV.
+ Where applicable highlight if you have any experience under ‘desirable skills and experience’ within the application form.
Throughout our shortlisting process, we will make decisions about your capability to do the job, based on evidence you provide against the essential criteria (and the desirable if applicable).
Important guidance when providing CV’s – please upload text-based CVs with no graphics or pictures to ensure the anonymisation function works correctly.
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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.

ONR recognises it has a role to play in helping those leaving the Armed Forces (veterans) and have introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans. This is part of a Government initiative known as the ‘Great Place to Work for veterans. Veterans are officially defined as anyone who has served for at least one day in His Majesty’s Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve). All veterans who meet the minimum critera for a role will be invited to interview and they have the choice to opt into this scheme when completing their application. To be eligible to apply for roles under the initiative, veterans must meet certain eligibility criteria below;
+ have served for at least one year in His Majesty's Armed Forces (as a Regular or Reserve)
+ be in transition from, or ceased to be a member of, His Majesty’s Armed Forces; and, + Postgraduate degree in a relevant subject area (or equivalent)
+ Hold a professional CCAB Accountancy qualification or internationally recognised equivalent.
Essential Skills/Job Related Expertise
+ A proven track record of a significant period of demonstrably successful leadership experience in a finance function.
+ Demonstrable ability to contribute effectively to senior and executive leadership teams that provides organisational leadership, direction, and strategic focus.
+ Significant experience in strategic planning and successful execution of finance initiatives.
+ Provides authentic, inspiring, and visible leadership of the directorate and wider organisation.
+ Be fully experienced in managing corporate financial accounting and reporting.
+ Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships and strategic partnerships.
+ Demonstrable ability to lead and develop multi-disciplinary staff through continual improvement and transformational change.
+ Ability to communicate complex concepts concisely.
+ Senior leadership experience of leading and delivering complex and diverse work programmes and strategies successfully.
+ Demonstrable maturity, gravitas, and presence with high levels of emotional intelligence.
+ Proven ability to influence and build strong credible relationships with colleagues, external partners, and senior stakeholders.
+ Sound risk management approaches and judgement.
+ Evidence of delivering improved organisational performance against a backdrop of innovation and change.
+ Provide effective decision making and be able to identify and utilise subject matter expertise and use evidence to make effective decisions and recommendations to the DCE, CE, Board, and its committees.
+ Logical and purposeful approach with strong motivation, resilience, and a positive attitude.
+ Composed and having sound judgement when under pressure.
+ An honest and trusted advisor and team player, committed to serving the public interest.
+ Ability to manage and influence teams, providing both opportunity and challenge with a genuine commitment to leading and developing high performing teams.
+ An appetite and demonstrable ability to drive simplicity from complexity.
Desirable skills and experience
+ Experience working in both the Public and Private sectors.
+ Experience of operating at Board level.
+ Multi-functional responsibility across two or more of finance, procurement, commercial, planning, risk management, business intelligence, estates functions.

This post may be undertaken from a base at any one of ONR’s office locations (Bootle, Cheltenham or London).
+ The job involves some travel throughout the UK, including regular attendance at ONR's main office in Bootle, with time being spent away from the home base as necessary.
ONR operates hybrid working (working in the office and or at home) as part of our flexible working policy. There is an expectation that everyone will spend time in the office on a regular basis, recognising that some work is better done face to face. Managers will work with their teams on what works best to meet individual, team, business and organisational needs to enable collaboration, as well as balancing personal choice and wellbeing.

+ The successful candidate will need to hold or obtain SC clearance before appointment.
Terms and conditions
The salary for this role is circa £110,000 plus an attractive pension.
Future pay awards will normally be made in line with SCS (Senior Civil Service level) performance related pay arrangements. Increases depend on individual circumstances including your current salary level at the time of the award.
Bonuses
Performance bonuses are currently available. Bonuses are not determined until after the year end, so it is not possible to quote amounts in advance. Bonuses are awarded on the recommendation of line managers based on the level of success with which a Director has met their in-year corporate and business objectives and relative to all others in their pay band.
Pension Scheme
ONR offers an excellent occupational pension scheme. We offer the choice of either:
+ A high quality, index-linked defined benefit pension scheme. Members contribute a percentage of their earnings, but we also make contributions and meet the bulk of the cost of this scheme or
+ A stakeholder pension with a contribution from ourselves. Our basic contribution is based on your age, and we pay this regardless of whether you choose to contribute anything. You do not have to contribute if you do not wish to but, if you do, we will also match your contributions up to an additional 3% of pay.
Full details can be found on the Civil Service Pensions website at: Home - Civil Service Pension Scheme
Other benefits include:
+ Flexible working hour
+ 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays and 1 privilege day in a year
+ Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave allowance; carers leave.
+ Occupational Health Services including counselling.
+ Hybrid working, • Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%