About the job

Job summary

HM Treasury

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.  

Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.  

We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you! 

Job description

Public Spending Group

The Public Spending Group is a high-profile and rewarding place to work.  We help the Chancellor decide what to spend £1.2trillion a year on and ensure government delivers value for money for the taxpayer. We are responsible for reporting to Parliament and the public on how taxpayers’ money is spent. We drive forward improved outcomes and efficiency in public services and make sure value for money is at the centre of decision-making through better evaluation, data and analysis. 

We advise on overall government policy on public sector pay and pensions, the biggest single driver of public spending. We collaborate with and directly support departments to deliver the Government Finance Function strategy, building finance, debt and risk capability across government and developing the management information, tools and frameworks to better understand and ensure value for money.

The Group is committed to being an excellent place to work, with a relentless focus on good management, learning and development and continuous improvement in everything we do. 

About the Team:

The Finance Performance & Improvement Team is one of the central Government Finance Function (GFF) teams, responsible for driving finance performance, standards (GovS006: Finance) & leading practice to achieve a vision of a modern digital finance function that delivers quality services more effectively & efficiently.

For the last 3 years the team has also been responsible for the Functional Convergence Programme—a cross-government programme that has brought together Finance (GFF), Civil Service HR, Government Grants Management Function (GGMF) & Government Commercial Function (GCF) to deliver a single interoperable functional design—the NOVA Functional Reference Model—for adoption by departments, ALBs and wider civil service organisations—particularly through the deployment of systems, ERPs and shared services. The design is currently hosted on an enterprise process modelling tool (ARIS by Software AG)

Over the next 3 years, we are passionate about driving up finance performance through supporting adoption of the NOVA Finance design & standards and rolling out new analytical and digital capabilities (process mining) to improve cross-government insight into the efficiency and effectiveness of the function.

The twelve-person team works across a wide range of partners, providing the individual with the opportunity to be part of creating positive and long-lasting change across functional communities. The role offers exposure across Whitehall, including the chance to work and influence at the highest levels of the Civil Service. The team prides itself on providing an encouraging working environment, which role models flexible working and inclusivity, with opportunities to build networks within the finance, HR, grants, & commercial functions and beyond.

About the job:

The Senior Product Manager is a critical post in the team, acting as both a strategic and tactical lead on the digital business process modelling tool (ARIS) and the technical owner of the overall taxonomy for process mapping for finance, HR, grants, and commercial functions held within the software.

This role regularly engages with teams across government departments, functions, and shared services clusters, promoting the tool and building a roadmap of service improvements and areas for further development. Key to this role is leading the ongoing service development of new functionality in partnership with the 3rd party software supplier and SME delivery partner.

The specific responsibilities are:

1. Leadership of the cloud-based modelling tool (ARIS) in conjunction with the third-party software vendor, including day to day service management and ownership of the global process modelling taxonomy in the software, updating and improving this as required.
2. Supplier & Performance management of the third-party software vendor ensuring their performance is to time, budget, and quality.
3. Create, improve, and update the product vision and design: engaging departmental users, to ensure their needs and values are central; and new product features are piloted and released.
4. Overall product and service lead for the core NOVA Services as set out and updated within the NOVA Service Manual, including providing training to new users of the system and ensure appropriate training documentation is in place and regularly reviewed.
5. Proficiency in use of the software and engagement with technical experts, partners, and teams to handle product inter-dependencies and mitigate barriers to delivery.
6. Proactively lead stakeholder communications to nurture relationships and engagements with senior customers, users, and delivery partners, translating technical requirements into practical application and tailoring briefings, updates, and general communications.

Desirable Qualifications:

Agile Project Management Foundation & Practitioner OR-APM Project Management Qualification / Prince2 Foundation & Practitioner or equivalent.

Business Process Modelling, Technical Architecture or Service Management qualifications, such as [BPM Qual – Insert] ITILv4 Edition; TOGAF; or equivalent.

Applicants who are part-qualified or with sufficient relevant experience against the Required Qualifications, who are willing to study towards these qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Candidate Drop-In Session

We will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and the recruitment process. If you would like to join us, then use the appropriate link below to join the call at the right time. 

Thursday 4 July 1:30- 1:55pm - Join the meeting now

Wednesday 10 July 11:00 - 11:25am - Join the meeting now

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Lorraine Dick: lorraine.dick@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Person specification

We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form. 

• A strong track record of operating as a software product owner, with expert product management skills and experience of system implementation in government functions. [Experience]
• Excellent at delivering in large and complex environments and providing high-quality leadership and management of agile projects and products [Managing a Quality Service]
• Excellent communication skills and experience of translating, in an accessible way, technical and complex information, with a track record of influencing a broad range of partners and audiences, often at senior levels. [Communicating and influencing]
• Anticipate & understand internal and external trends and practices and encourage & share innovative ideas from diverse range of colleagues and partners to generate continuous improvement. [Changing and improving] 

The lead criterion is: Experience

If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only. 

Candidate Guidance Support Session 
 
We will be running an overview of Success Profiles and the STAR approach; top tips for the application and interview process and an opportunity to ask general questions around our recruitment practices. If you would like to join us, then use the link below to join the call at the right time. 

Thursday 4th July @ 12:30: Join the meeting now

At interview stage, you will be assessed on the below criteria:

• Experience
• Strengths
• Behaviours:
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Changing and Improving

Interview Task/Presentation

Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a task/presentation that the interview panel would like you to complete as part of the assessment. The exact details will be communicated to you nearer the time. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,960, HM Treasury contributes £14,299 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Recruitment Timeline 

Closing date: 21 July 2024

Shortlisting: w/c 22 July 2024

Interviews:  w/c 29 July / 5 August 2024

Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a task/presentation that the interview panel would like you to complete as part of the assessment. The exact details will be communicated to you nearer the time. 

This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline. 

If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile. 

Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.

Location-Based Reserve Lists 

You will be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot offer you a post immediately. Where more than one location has been advertised, candidates will be approached for roles in merit order according to the first preferred location stated on your application form. 

Please note that a place on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer. We would still encourage you to apply for other HM Treasury opportunities that you are interested in. If you are offered a role in your first preferred location and you decline the offer or you are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe, you will be removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances. 

Eligibility Statement  

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information. 

Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, individuals appointed to the Treasury group will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Security Check (SC) 

To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis once the advert closing date has passed. 

Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you.  Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive.  

These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting.  If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact HMTSecurityVetting@hmtreasury.gov.uk

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 2020
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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.