Chief Financial Officer, UKRI
Contract Term: This is a permanent, open-ended position.
Location: London or Swindon. This role includes regular travel to sites across the UK and some international travel.
Direct Reports: 7 direct reports, including Chief Information Officer, Finance Director, General Counsel & Head of Legal.
Availability: Successful candidates encouraged to take up appointment as soon as possible, following successful completion of pre‑appointment checks and security clearance.
Security Level: Must hold or be willing to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. UKRI reserves the right to initiate or repeat security screening as required during employment.
Closing Date: 23:55 on Sunday 7th June 2026.
About UKRI
UKRI is an independent, non‑departmental public body launched in 2018 which invests £10 billion per annum in research and innovation. It brings together nine executive council partners (the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England) with a shared vision to keep the UK at the leading edge of research and innovation. UKRI provides coordinated strategic advice to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on funding priorities.
UKRI supports a culture of high‑performance and innovation, and employs around 9,000 staff. It develops and operates world‑class scientific facilities, and works in partnership with industry, academia and government to drive the frontiers of human knowledge.
UKRI activities include:
* Funding excellent research and innovation across universities, research institutes, businesses and public sector bodies
* Supporting skills and talent from doctoral training to leadership in academia, industry and the public sector
* Building and sustaining national research infrastructure, including major facilities, data capabilities and digital platforms
* Driving place‑based growth and strengthening local innovation ecosystems
* Convening and connecting partners across government, academia, industry and international systems to tackle complex challenges such as climate change, health, security and productivity
About The Role
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a senior strategic leader and principal adviser to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board. The CFO is an executive member of the UKRI board, responsible for ensuring the organisation manages public money with strong governance and the highest standards of financial management, assurance and control.
The CFO provides strategic leadership across finance, legal, digital and data, risk and assurance.
The CFO leads the organisation’s engagement with Spending Reviews and fiscal planning, ensuring that financial decisions are robust, evidence‑based and aligned with government priorities and statutory responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide strategic leadership across UKRI, working closely with the CEO and executive colleagues to shape organisational direction.
* Guide the development and execution of UKRI’s long‑term strategy, balancing DSIT objectives, financial constraints and emerging national opportunities.
* Oversee day‑to‑day executive operations as a core member of the Executive Committee, with direct accountability for finance, digital, data, risk and legal across the portfolio.
* Represent the CEO and UKRI at high‑level engagements, building trust with industry, government and strategic partners.
* Provide executive leadership over strategic partnerships, enabling UKRI and UK companies to access critical technologies and capabilities.
* Act as a non‑executive director on UKRI spin‑out boards as required, bringing governance, commercial insight and independent judgment.
* Provide robust budget stewardship ensuring UKRI’s grant‑in‑aid is used effectively.
Your Skills and Experience
Essential Criteria:
* Proven experience leading and developing diverse, high‑performing teams; ability to set direction, delegate effectively and deliver results.
* Extensive experience holding enterprise‑wide responsibility for financial probity, governance and delivery of financial outcomes within a large, complex organisation.
* Strong understanding of drivers of UK economic growth, including policy, sectoral and market trends.
* Exceptional relationship‑building and stakeholder‑management skills, able to establish credibility quickly and build productive partnerships with industry, government, universities and external institutions.
* Highly effective communicator and influencer, capable of operating confidently at Board and senior Government levels.
* Strong personal resilience, sound judgment and ability to make decisions under pressure.
* Demonstrated commitment to personal growth, organisational learning and continuous improvement.
Benefits
* Flexible Working
* 30 days annual leave + public holidays
* Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme
* Other everyday discounts through our dedicated provider
For more information, visit our dedicated benefits webpage.
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