Person Specification
As Director of Finance you will be part of the Chief Officer Team and report directly to the Chief Constable. You will take responsibility for the strategic management of the Finance, Procurement and Estates & Facilities Directorates, working closely with 3 direct reports and being responsible for a further 131 staff. As such, the Selection Panel will be looking for evidence that you have the necessary balance of experience, knowledge and skills to meet the requirements of this demanding job.
These requirements are set out below. Your experience and knowledge will, in the first instance, be assessed on the basis of your written application. Your abilities and behaviours will be assessed at various stages throughout the process: some at interviews later in the process, some through the use of psychometric assessments.
Experience and Knowledge
It is essential that you have:
- a CCAB qualification combined with an outstanding track record of inspirational leadership of a finance function in an organisation in the public, private or voluntary sector; where you can demonstrate the ability to articulate and shape a vision for the future and generate confidence and trust amongst your colleagues, staff and external partners;
- experience of operating at Management Board level or reporting directly to a Board in a complex organisation operating in a customer or user-focused sector;
- considerable experience of promoting organisational development, having successfully implemented change - at management process level and at a cultural/behavioural level - to improve service delivery and performance;
- an excellent track record of engaging with a range of internal and external audiences, negotiating with and influencing key groups, understanding their agendas and winning their agreement for the organisation's benefit; and
- experience of working with others to achieve shared goals in a flexible style, creating partnerships both internally and externally to achieve these shared objectives successfully, particularly when dealing with difficult or challenging circumstances.
It is desirable that you have:
- An understanding of finance frameworks for the control of public expenditure and for the accounting of public funds.
Abilities and Behaviours
These will be assessed throughout the process and do not need to be addressed in your written application.
It is essential that you have:
- Commitment - demonstrates a clear commitment to the vision and values of Sussex Police and the wider Police Service, as well as being a strong corporate team player.
- Strategic perspective - understands external expectations and influences on the organisation. Identifies common goals, interests and perspectives with other agencies. Creates a vision for the future and a strategy for how it can be achieved.
- Openness to change - identifies ways in which the organisation needs to change. Personally champions innovation and change, as well as encouraging and supporting managers to make it happen.
- Negotiating and influencing - develops sophisticated strategies for influencing others at all levels in the organisation. Negotiates satisfactory solutions on broad or complicated issues with stakeholders.
- Maximising potential - puts systems and strategies in place that develop people at all levels of the organisation. Creates an environment where staff are motivated to achieve results and deliver greater efficiency and improve service.
- Respect for race and diversity - understands other people's views and takes them into account. Is tactful and diplomatic when dealing with people, treating them with dignity and respect at all times. Understands and is sensitive to social, cultural and racial differences.
- Effective communication - explains complex issues simply and intelligibly. Makes sure that important messages are being communicated and understood throughout the organisation.
- Problem solving and risk - applies a range of analytical techniques to understand complex information issues. Considers a range of options, their associated risks and effects. Makes strategic decisions by logically analysing all the relevant factors.
- Resilience - shows reliability and resilience in difficult circumstances. Remains calm and confident and responds logically and decisively in difficult situations.