Innovate UK has the following secondment opportunity available for employees of Innovate UK Business Connect: Applications must be submitted by 03-06-2026 Senior Finance Business Partner The role is part of the Innovate UK (IUK) Finance team which performs a range of planning, reporting and business partnering activities. *Please note this advert will close on the 2nd of June 2026 at 23.59pm. Watch our video “Why Join Innovate UK?” here. Title: Senior Finance Business Partner Band: UKRI Band F (UKRI Ts & Cs) Salary: £58,589 gross per annum Reports to: Deputy Director – Risk & Governance Location: Swindon (Hybrid Working) Contract: Fixed Term Until (31/07/2028) Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place. Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements. Job Purpose: The role is part of the Innovate UK (IUK) Finance team which performs a range of planning, reporting and business partnering activities. The incumbent will work with the business linking activity to approved business cases, budgets and delivery plans, presenting insightful information to drive strategic decisions. This role will support the Innovation Finance Directorate and be specifically focused on Innovate UK’s Innovation Loans programme, Investor Partnerships and other Non-Grant Products. We are seeking an individual with the skills and experience to help us achieve a balance of financial insight and analysis, strategic financial advice and good governance in the context of an unregulated lending business. We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Creation of Financial and Business Performance Information in collaboration with the IUKL Data and Insights team and the financial accountant to report to the IUK Investment Finance management team, the IUKL Board and Board committees and the IUK Leadership team to inform decision making and ensure resources are managed on strategy and within budget allocations. Develop, manage and maintain exceptional working partnerships with senior managers, Directors and stakeholders across Innovate UK providing strategic financial advice. Assisting in the development of Innovate UK Investment strategy and spending review process by evaluating financial options/scenarios, impacts, potential risks and solutions. Liaise with IUK, across UKRI and with DSIT to ensure reports and forecasts are submitted on time and the financial risks of managing a loan book are understood. Ensure compliance with HMT Financial Transactions Framework, agree allocations across multiple budget categories and complete Main and Supplementary Estimates. Support IUK Reporting Team to ensure Innovation Finance forecasting, variance analysis and submission of risks and opportunities are aligned and understood. Work closely with budget holders to advise on available funding across all budget categories (Financial Transactions, OpEx, RDEL (ringfence and non-ringfenced, AME) Provide advice and support on budgeting and accounting treatment for the development of new innovation finance products Knowledge of accounting standards regulating financial instruments and ability to work closely with colleagues in the financial accounting team to analyse future budget implications based on current levels of credit provisions and fair value adjustments. Keep up to date and be familiar with the requirements in the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance and the relevant accounting standards to feed into the process This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training. Shortlisting criteria (S) – Assessed at shortlisting (I) – Assessed at interview (S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview Person Specification: Experience & Qualifications: Essential – Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA) or, by exception, qualified by Experience Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Excel (S) Good understanding of financial controls (S) Experience of month and year-end processes and reporting, such as accruals and prepayment calculations and variance analysis (S) Preparation of budgets, forecasts, and financial plans (S) Experience of working as part of a wider-business, consulting with many stakeholders, showing an understanding of business priorities and working with partners to meet organisational and financial objectives (S&I) Experience in provision of written and oral advice suitable for senior level decision makers (S&I) Understanding of Financial Instruments and IFRS 9 and 16. (S&I) Familiar with requirements in the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance for Financial Transactions. (S) Competencies: All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as: Thinking and Problem Solving – Stakeholder management – Communication skills – Influencing – Self-awareness/self-management – Strategic awareness – Working with others– Project management Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage, in addition to the criteria’s listed in the person specification. Travel Requirements: Field-based: There will a requirement to travel, mostly national, and there is some flexibility in this. Innovate UK staff make extensive use of telepresence tools for meetings to minimise unnecessary travel. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. Underpinning this is a belief that it is a fundamental right for everyone to be treated equally, with fairness, respect and dignity. We will act directly and use our influence to ensure that this right is promoted and upheld; we encourage applications from all those who meet the criteria set-out in our role profiles. Equal Opportunities: We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments, some of which will be online and others may be in-person. If you have a disability, heath condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia then you may be entitled to support with undertaking this type of assessment exercise. Where you feel that reasonable adjustments are required to support you, we ask that you advise your recruitment point of contact in a timely fashion, providing further information. In confidence, Innovate UK will then review your application for adjustments and provide support as required. UK Research and Innovation: Innovate UK is partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation. If successful in securing the position, your employer will be UK Research and Innovation. More information can be found online http://www.ukri.org/. Employee Benefits: We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes. Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Flexible Working: We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants. Pre-employment Screening: To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider how this aligns with your personal values or beliefs. To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as a crucial part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. Applications must be submitted by; 03-06-2026