Finance Manager - Intelligence & Digital Operations

Job Posting Title: Finance Manager - Intelligence & Digital Operations About the Role:

Culmen is hiring a Finance Manager - Intelligence & Digital Operations to support our client in London, UK.

This is not a conventional finance role. Working at the intersection of public-sector finance, national security, and digital delivery, the Finance Manager will provide expert financial management and strategic insight to a high-performing team operating in a fast-paced, sensitive environment.

You will act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, bringing rigour and challenge to complex financial decisions while navigating the unique demands of digital and technology-enabled programmes. You will be comfortable working with ambiguity, building relationships across government and industry, and translating technical financial concepts for non-specialist audiences.

The role is based full-time in Central London and requires Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.

What You’ll Do in Your New Role:

The Finance Manager will demonstrate the ability to:

Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders — understanding complex and specialist problem sets, identifying solutions, and delivering results in support of organisational objectives.

Produce high-quality formal policy, procedure documentation, and submissions.

Act as a trusted adviser to senior leadership, providing independent insight and constructive challenge to support strategic decision-making.

Communicate complex financial topics clearly and compellingly to non-specialist audiences, both written and verbally.

Prioritise effectively across multiple competing workstreams, maintaining quality and composure under pressure and to tight deadlines.

Apply strong analytical and financial modelling skills to support evidence-based decision-making.

Self-starter who is equally effective working independently and as part of a team.

Resilient under pressure, with a strong personal commitment to confidentiality and professional ethics.

Motivated by purpose-led work with genuine national significance — this role sits at the heart of the UK’s national security and digital capability.

Based full-time in Central London, with flexibility around hours during periods of high operational de

Required Qualifications:

Capabilities:

Essential

Proven experience delivering core accounting functions including account reconciliation, planning, budgeting, and forecasting; or a track record in financial investigations.

Proficiency in financial software such as Oracle, Sage, or Xero.

Experience engaging effectively with senior stakeholders across public and private sector organisations.

Desirable

Finance & Compliance

Experience in UK public sector finance, not-for-profit organisations, or financial investigations including anti-money laundering practices.

Experience compiling individual offline account reconciliations into consolidated group financial accounts and delivering routine financial reports to senior audiences.

Experience ensuring adherence to financial policies, controls, and regulatory requirements under applicable financial management frameworks and national or international legislation.

Experience in financial risk management and the delivery of risk mitigation strategies.

Sector Background

Prior exposure to military, security, or defence organisations.

Digital Finance Literacy

Given the digital nature of this environment, the following exposure is highly valued:

Understanding of digital delivery models, including:

Agile and iterative delivery.

DevOps environments.

Product-based funding models.

Experience costing and managing technology spend, including:

Cloud services (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS).

Licensing and subscription models.

Live service versus project funding.

Appreciation of technical debt, service sustainment, and lifecycle costing.

Experience:

Essential

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA / CGMA / CIPFA or equivalent) with a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience; or Financial Investigator accreditation with equivalent professional standing.

Current Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.

Desirable

Degree-level qualification (Level 6) in finance, risk management, economics, military studies, international security, or strategy.