UK Research and Innovation
Salary: £56,745 per annum (dependent on skills and experience)
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
About the role
We are seeking a highly motivated and proactive individual to join our team as a Senior Finance Business Partner. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to play a key role in supporting the BBSRC Strategic Delivery Plan. Additionally, they will drive transformational changes within the BBSRC Finance Business Partner team and wider UKRI Finance environment, leveraging new operating systems to support the overarching UKRI Strategy.
The main purpose of this role is to provide senior-level leadership and technical financial expertise to support the business. You will ensure that external stakeholders including Institute Management and Professional Partners receive high-quality service, oversee all assurance processes and support the Head of Finance on longer term financial planning and reporting.
This role will be pivotal in driving forward our change activity and supporting how BBSRC delivers its services to the wider UKRI business. The role also offers exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to contribute to multi-disciplinary projects of strategic significance.
About you
We are seeking candidates with proven experience of working within a complex operational environment, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including Senior Management and Professional Advisors.
The role involves close collaboration with many staff across the UKRI business, including strategically funded BBSRC Institutes, to provide robust support, advice and guidance on finance-related matters. We are looking for an individual with strong communication skills, both verbal and written, as the role requires regular engagement with a wide range of external stakeholders at senior and operational levels.
Essential
Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA), or equivalent experience (QBE). (S&I)
Well-developed leadership, team management, organisational and motivational skills. (S&I)
Effective interpersonal and influencing skills. (S&I)
Ability to take a strategic view of financial issues. (S&I)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present financial information effectively to non-finance staff. (S&I)
Ability to build trusting relationships with internal and external stakeholders, at all levels of an organisation and influence them with impact and professional credibility. (S&I)
Experience of working strategically to balance the conflicting demands of multiple stakeholders whilst protecting the integrity and ownership of financial processes. (S&I)
High level competency of IT systems and applications including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, with a focus on strong Excel skills. (S&I)
Ability to provide insightful analysis on complex issues, communicating the key elements to effectively deliver projects and influence decision making at a strategic level. (S&I)
Experience of writing financial papers or similar. (S&I)
Experience of financial management and management reporting for complex organisations. (S&I)
Desirable
Working knowledge across a wide spectrum of accounting software, e.g., Oracle. (S&I)
Experience of using Data and Analytical Software to interrogate large datasets. (S&I)
Knowledge of Government Accounting Standards and Managing Public Money rules. (S&I)
Strong focus on proactivity, positive solutions, and continuous improvement. (S&I)
If you experience any issues applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org. The closing date for receipt of applications is 5th January 2025. Interviews are expected to be held in mid-January 2025 in Swindon.
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 at
www.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, visit
Benefits 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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www.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, visit
Benefits 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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