£300/day 15 days/year
About the role
Introduction from the Secretary of State
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in the role of Independent Non-Executive Director (NED) to the UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) Board.
This is an exciting, interesting, and challenging time for UK SBS as the Company implements its transformation strategy to become a cloud-enabled organisation that delivers greater value and user experience for multiple clients. We are especially looking for candidates with senior experience of leading significant change and transformation across people, processes and technologies.
My Ministerial colleagues and I are committed to fair and open recruitment processes across all public appointments that we make. We proactively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from under-represented groups.
Should you need any further assistance, my officials would be happy to talk to you about this significant role and the impact it can have.
If you believe you have the experience and qualities we are seeking to help define the future of UK SBS and provide strategic challenge, we very much look forward to hearing from you.
Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Introduction from the Chair
Can you help us seize the opportunity of the changing landscape of shared services across Government? In 2021 Ministers launched a new Shared Services Strategy for Government asking Departments to align their ERP system and shared services arrangements into five shared services centres. UK SBS already supports three Departments who are working with a number of other Departments through the Matrix Programme, to deliver shared corporate services technology and related business processes to over c.40,000 Civil Servants.
This is a bold and exciting strategy, driving collaboration, standardisation of processes, better user experience and providing economies of scale for the Departments. With UK Research and Innovation, our founding owner, UK SBS is already implementing a new cloud-based ERP and is aiming to leverage this experience to ensure the Company is the partner of choice for the Matrix Programme propelling UK SBS to the forefront of delivering shared services across UK Government. ?
As a Board we are committed to support the executive leadership of UK SBS to achieve this goal and more, focusing on developing the Board to be an exemplar of strong and effective governance and delivering a transformative shared service digital experience. ?
We welcome applicants who would like to support the UK Government’s ambitious strategic shared service goals, adding value to the UK economy and society. We pride ourselves on having a Board that is open and inclusive and able to bring out the best in each other.?
John Clarke
Non-Executive Chair, UK SBS
Role description
UK SBS is seeking a Non-Executive Director with experience supporting a board and the executive leadership in transforming operations and services, with a particular focus on stakeholder engagement and taking owners and customers on a transformational journey. Understanding how to leverage people, processes, and technology within the current ownership structure and previous experience within a multi-organisation shared service environment would be a considerable advantage, particularly where technological and operational changes have delivered significant benefits. Understanding cloud systems and their impact on governance and audit would also be desirable. This role will include appointment to the UK SBS Audit Committee. ?
As a Non-Executive Board Director of UK SBS, you will be responsible for ensuring that the Company is successful – in terms of its effectiveness as a service provider and employer. Non-Executive Directors play a key role in setting the organisation’s strategic direction and plan, as well as ensuring continuous organisational improvement, high-performance management, excellent customer focus, service delivery, accountability and effective corporate governance. You will provide constructive challenges and scrutinise the performance of the Chief Executive and other executives in meeting the Company’s objectives, in addition to providing appropriate guidance and support. ?
UK SBS is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and is an equal opportunities employer, which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of age, sex, race or ethnic background, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status.?
Please see the attached candidate pack for further details.
Organisation description
UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS), a private company limited by shares, was established in 2007 by the UK Research Councils as part of the drive for greater efficiency. ?
UK SBS currently provides HR & Payroll, Finance, Procurement and IT services to its public sector owners and clients including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, UK Research and Innovation, the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and a number of partner organisations.
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It is recognised by the Cabinet Office as a government shared service provider and forms part of the Shared Services Strategy for Government.?
The unique owner / client relationship allows for a partnered approach to maximise the benefit of shared services. To enable this potential, two multi-year programmes are underway to implement new transactional shared service solutions for existing and future new clients, requiring significant end-to-end process and organisational transformation over the next few years. ?
This is an exciting and challenging time for UK SBS; the newly appointed Independent Non-Executive Director will provide significant Board level guidance and oversight to ensure delivery of leading-edge shared services to multiple clients in the most effective and efficient way, providing end-users with the high-quality experience they’ve become accustomed to in the digital age. ?
Board composition
Information on the UK SBS board members can be found here.
Person specification
Essential criteria
· Strong business acumen gained within a large corporate environment at Executive or Board level.
· Proven experience in adapting at pace, with experience in managing significant change and transformation and the ability to take all stakeholders on the journey.
· A good working knowledge and digital and technological awareness at an Executive or Director level of shared services, the associated challenges and opportunities and the ability to use the experience to solve associated problems.
· Exhibit strong interpersonal, emotional IQ and relationship-building abilities.
· Demonstrate tact and diplomacy with effective communication and influencing skills, including an ability to maintain a sense of perspective and to listen sensitively, value diverse opinions, and debate constructively with the ability to listen and engage effectively.
· Politically astute, able to grasp relevant issues and understand relationships between interested parties.
· Ability to understand complex strategic issues quickly and analyse and resolve difficult problems.
· Sound, independent judgement, objectivity and diplomacy.
· Demonstrate a commitment to the Company’s values and behaviours.
Desirable criteria
· The ability to maximise key networks whilst being an advocate of the Company.
· Experience working with or within the public sector.
· Operational transformation of a shared service company.