Salary : £45,272
Hours: Full Time / Part Time (Min 30hrs per week)
Contract Type:Open Ended
Location: Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid Working)
Closing Date: Sunday 29 June 2025
Job Overview:
Reporting to the Cross Council Cluster Directorate’s Strategic Finance Business Partner, the role is to provide a comprehensive financial business partnering service to the UKRI’s Research & Development Missions Programme (RDMP), and Proof-of-Concept (PoC) funding programme.
This role involves performing a range of Financial Management reporting and control functions and encompasses management and support of both Programme and some OPEX activities.
Key Responsibilities:
* Build & maintain good working relationships with colleagues & partners across Finance (Finance Business Partners, central Financial Planning and Reporting) and non-Finance (Strategy, Policy, Operations, HR) areas, and subsequently provide suitable input and advice in a format targeted to the relevant audience
* Support Programme Managers and Senior Leadership Teams to effectively manage their budgets through the provision of timely, accurate and complete financial information, advice, and constructive challenge
* Understand the linkages and dependencies between the different Councils within UKRI by actively working with other Finance Business Partners and colleagues across UKRI to seek opportunities for improvement, change and efficiency within Finance, strengthening internal controls, financial analysis, and effective management of cross cutting programmes and promoting a culture of teamwork
* To deputise for the Senior Finance Business Partner, if and when required
* Perform a range of reporting and control functions, positioning Finance to work with the business and link budgets to delivery plans and business cases
* Help deliver the UKRI wide budgets for RDMP and PoC activities, working collaboratively across internal partners and stakeholders to align with the collective targets and deliverables
* Work with the budget holders to advise on OPEX budgets, delivering financial advice and support on finances during the year for those budget holders
* Communicate the importance of Finance to partners at all levels, and use strong business awareness to present insightful information and analysis to support effective longer-term decision-making and deliver outcomes in line with Council/UKRI priorities
* Presentation of quarterly written finance papers to senior stakeholders for RDMP and PoC
* Manage annual and multi-year budget setting and forecasting cycles
* Ensure compliance with internal financial, DSIT and HMG controls within assigned business areas
This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main duties and responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role in conjunction with their line manager. The post holder may be asked to carry out any other delegated duty or task that is in line with the post.
Person Specification:
(S) – Shortlisting Criteria (I) – Interview Criteria (S & I) - Shortlisting Criteria & Interview Criteria
Essential
* Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA), actively working towards qualification, or equivalent experience (QBE) (S)
* Strong understanding of accounting and finance and demonstrable experience of working in delivering effective financial management & reporting (S)
* Very good IT skills, including good knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Excel (S)
* Experience of financial modelling & control (I)
* Demonstrable experience of month and year-end processes - accruals and prepayment calculations, variance analyses etc (I)
* Demonstrable experience of working as part of a wider-business, consulting with senior stakeholders, utilising an in-depth understanding of business priorities and effectively working with partners to meet organisational and financial objectives (I)
* Experience in provision of high quality written and oral advice suitable for senior level decision makers (S & I)
* Proven experience in the preparation of complex budgets, forecasts and financial plans (I)
* Understanding of the role of governance, risk management and assurance in project deliver (I)
* Ability to build relationships with senior partners and influence them with impact and professional credibility (I)
* Strong experience of developing effective working partnerships and offering challenges where necessary to senior decision-making group (S & I)
* Line management and leadership skills (S)
* Excellent written and oral communication skills (S)
* Personal resilience and a confident approach, willing to apply good judgement to solve issues and find solutions independently (I)
* Highly developed team working skills, able to form effective working relationships quickly (I)
* Ability to respond calmly under pressure and to make impartial and well-considered judgments in complex situations (I)
* Good organisational skills, able to manage and prioritise own and others’ workloads and meet deadlines in a very timely manner (I)
* Flexible in nature and able to work on several differing priorities at once (I)
Application Guidance:
How to evidence the criteria:
You are encouraged to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in the cover letter to evidence your ability to meet the ‘person specification’ criteria in the job description. Cover letters should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum font size 11). For examples of the STAR method, please visit: The STAR method | National Careers Service ’.
About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found atwww.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visitBenefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
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.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
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