SAP Finance Functional Lead

Job summary

We are MHCLG

Here at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people’s lives. Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we’re all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you’re thinking of joining us, there’s never been a more exciting time.

We are seeking an experienced SAP Finance Functional Lead, who is technically strong, adaptable, and user focussed to join the team to assist with the Finance developments and maintaining our recently implemented S/4 HANA and BW/4 HANA systems.

This role is a fixed term contract with the possibility of being made permanent.

Find out more about our Digital teams and what they are working on through our MHCLG Digital blog. Please note that MHCLG do not offer visa sponsorship and applicants will need a valid visa for the duration of your employment.

Job description

As a SAP Finance Functional Lead, you'll:

• Act as Digital Functional Lead for our SAP S4 FICO, BW and Workzone products
• Translate emerging business and user needs into clear, prioritised requirements that deliver key improvements whilst keeping abreast of SAP releases and innovations and evolving user needs
• Own the end-to-end product lifecycle for SAP Finance and Analytics products, from discovery and design through configuration to delivery, ensuring SAP solutions are secure, scalable, maintainable and aligned with best practise, making use of SAP standard functionality wherever possible
• Work in partnership with the business to define and maintain the product vision, roadmap and priorities, balancing user needs, technical constraints, risk and value for money
• Ensure alignment with wider Finance transformation goals and cross-government initiatives such as the Unity Programme
• Ensure that issues affecting Finance & Analytics processes are addressed appropriately, and that the team use root cause analysis to drive continuous improvement
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, engaging collaboratively to understand business and end user needs in the core Department and our arms-length body customers, working strategically with stakeholders and our suppliers
• Identify and manage risk, issues and improvements together with project and resource dependencies

Person specification

As a SAP Finance Functional Lead, you'll have:

• A minimum of 3 SAP Finance Project Lifecycles and hands on configuration and support experience of SAP S4/Hana (including experience with all or most of: Record to Report; Asset Accounting; Project Systems; Grants & Funds Management; Group Reporting; Business Warehouse/SAP Analytics; and Business Planning & Consolidation)
• Deep functional knowledge of data, processes and integration points with other SAP modules
• Ability to ensure alignment between the business requirements/needs and the application solutions/services
• IT Proficiency with the proven ability to work at pace within a technical environment with highly experienced IT professionals in either a leadership and/or supporting capacity
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills, able to work to tight deadlines, managing complex and conflicting priorities, while maintaining an excellent eye for detail and ensuring all outputs are accurate, comprehensive and consistent
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral with the ability to document detailed technical functional specifications, test scripts and test plans and monitor progress
• Flexibility as a team player with excellent communication, people and influencing abilities
• Enthusiasm as a self-starter, excited about change and committed to the improvement of the Finance system, processes and user experience

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £60,230, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £17,448 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Application and Selection
The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles:

Ability , Experience , Technical

Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information.

Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.

Stage 1: Sift (CV)

CV assessed on Experience & Technical

Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.

In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead sift question listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.

Lead sift question (Experience): Describe your most recent SAP project experience.

Stage 2: Interview

• Experience: Experience questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description.
• Abili