View Vacancy – Head of Corporate Services ( BGR21.542)

The British Embassy in Sofia is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Head of Corporate Services to join the Corporate Services Team in Sofia.

Main purpose of job:

Provide strategic direction to corporate services; leading an efficient, cost effective and professional team to deliver all services to the partners (from across the UK government) on the platform provided by the British Embassy Sofia.

As the driving force for corporate delivery, the jobholder will be a core member of the senior leadership team and management board providing corporate, financial and local insight to inform decision making. Key advisor on all corporate issues to the Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission.

This role will lead and develop a diverse team of 13 corporate staff, with oversight of outsourced service providers, and report to the Deputy Head of Mission.

Roles and responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Leadership (30%)

• Provide strategic leadership and planning in support of the corporate agenda including the country plan and risk management.
• Actively build and deepen relationships with key stakeholders internally, within regional and global hubs and with external partners (at other diplomatic missions, government departments and suppliers) to maintain informed and current corporate knowledge.
• Communicating key corporate decisions and developments to internal and external customers.
• Ensure local policies are reviewed and aligned to global and local requirement and adopted by all partners on the platform.
• Lead and monitor the delivery of high-level services against the local corporate services charter and
• Manage the corporate platform (currently supporting the FCDO and four partner departments) and support regional teams, influencing at a senior level to maintain and strengthen inclusiveness.

Finance and Delivery (45%)

• Oversee all corporate delivery across finance, HR, estates, protocol, IT, transport and security, while working closely with the regional HR, finance and procurement hubs and the Global Processing Transaction Centre (GTPC).
• Manage the local delegated budget in accordance with corporate policies to ensure on-budget expenditure and value for money. Review and update regularly the allocated budget and the annual/monthly forecasts. Report monthly to the Senior Budget Holder on current position and forecasts.
• Together with the Corporate Services Manager, ensure that UK standards of owned and leased estates are met through planned and reactive maintenance and in compliance with corporate procedures, including local and UK health and safety regulations and policy.
• Work with a cross-functional team to ensure compliance and mitigate workplace risks related to the Covid-19 situation.
• Oversee management of external contracts with local suppliers and vendors as necessary. Run or support tendering procedures for new contracts in accordance with the FCDO guidelines.
• In conjunction with Post Security Officer and Security Manager, ensure security of buildings, staff and information.
• Instil a continuous improvement attitude within the team, leading on corporate projects and the change management required to deliver them.

Leadership on People Issues (20%)

• Lead on the overall offer to employees, including terms and conditions of service and pay and benefits for country-based staff (CBS), ensuring compliance with local labour law.
• Provide guidance and act as an escalation point on sensitive staff matters for diplomatic and country-based staff, including management issues and dispute resolution, engaging with specialist HR functions where necessary.
• Champion and embed a collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Oversee hiring processes for new staff and work with a payroll company on HR and pay-related administration.

Resilience (5%)

• Respond to operational crisis, providing leadership and flexing team prioritisation as required.
• Ensure wellbeing and engagement are maintained within the corporate services team, seeking regular feedback and embedding the values of resilience and respect.
• Contribute to Post crisis plan and take part in regular crisis meetings.

• Minimum three years of management experience working for an international organisation, preferably with direct involvement in HR and/or Finance policy implementation;
• Fluency in English and Bulgarian languages, both verbal and written ( minimum C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages*);
• Knowledge of key budget principles and ability to analyse and interpret financial information;
• Able to challenge and influence senior stakeholders;
• Clear communicator with strong interpersonal skills;
• High levels of discretion, with a resilient, flexible and ‘can do’ attitude;
• Excellent IT literacy (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, Power Point).
• University degree in international business, finances, administration or a related field.