Head of Finance Innovate UK
Head of Finance Innovate UK
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Job Description
This is the Internal Only Recruitment Site for UK Research and Innovation Staff for roles within Innovate UK (UKRI).
Please apply for jobs via this site only if you are employed by UK Research and Innovation (employees with access to Innovate UKs Workday system may apply via the Careers application within the system).
If you are not a current UKRI employee you can view vacancies at the externally advertised stage at the links given in the About Us information on the right. If you wish to apply for the position below please ensure that you comply with the requirements of the recruitment process by submitting both a full CV and application letter. Ideally you should also advise your manager of your application.
Applications must be submitted by
Head of Finance Innovate UK
This is a critical Finance role that is accountable for delivery of finance business partnering support to Innovate UK domains and directorates. The role sits within the IUK Finance team and manages a team of Finance Business Partners within a defined portfolio of IUK activities.
*Please note this advert will close on the 28th of April 2025 at 23.59pm.
Watch our video Why Join Innovate UK here.
Title: Head of Finance Innovate UK
Band: UKRI Band G (UKRI Ts & Cs)
Salary: 68525 per annum
Reports to: Finance Director Innovate UK
Location: Swindon (Hybrid Working)
Contract: Permanent
Innovate UK recognises the importance of worklife balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements.
Job Purpose:
This is a critical Finance role that is accountable for delivery of finance business partnering support to Innovate UK domains and directorates. The role sits within the IUK Finance team and manages a team of Finance Business Partners within a defined portfolio of IUK activities.
The Head of Finance will deliver a comprehensive finance business partnering service to one or more IUK business areas and/or programmes providing financial information tools analysis and insight to executives challenging their thinking helping them make more informed decisions and driving outcomes in line with IUK strategy and UKRI priorities.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
Leadership/Teamwork:
- Lead develop and motivate a team to deliver high standards of service across a number of complex business areas or programmes.
- Take a collegiate approach to leading across the Finance function.
- Develop exceptional collaborative relationships with senior managers and key internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead in providing strategic finance advice driving value for money and offering challenges to relevant internal and external senior stakeholders based on strong business awareness and understanding to ensure robust financial processes.
- As a recognised expert work closely with senior stakeholders to bring insight and influence on financial matters to aid in establishing strategic priorities particularly in more complex or highrisk matters
- Represent the Finance function and/or UKRI at relevant Executive meetings Boards and Committees.
Delivery/Programmes/Project/Process:
- Responsibility for a range of complex reporting and control functions positioning Finance to work with the business and link budgets and business cases to delivery plans and outcomes.
- Present insightful information and analysis to support effective strategic decisionmaking building business awareness to present insightful information and analysis and to support effective longerterm decisionmaking and deliver outcomes in line with IUK priorities.
- Accountability and direction in the development of the finance case within business cases and input and shape the direction of the other cases.
- Responsibility for the management of applications for additional budget cover.
- Accountable for ensuring compliance with internal financial DSIT and HMT controls within assigned business areas.
- Accountable for the production of highquality reports for Executive meetings Boards and Committees
Other:
Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate (UKRI other Research Councils DSIT Other Government Departments HMT internal audit etc.
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 equivalent experience (QBE). (S)
- High level understanding of accounting and finance and demonstrable experience of working in senior finance roles and delivering effective financial management. (S)
- High level competency of IT systems and applications including MS Word Excel PowerPoint and Access with focus on exceptional Excel skills. (S)
- Strong experience of month and yearend processes accruals and prepayment calculation variance analysis etc. (S)
- Highly numerate with the 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 working strategically to balance the conflicting demands of multiple stakeholders whilst protecting the integrity and ownership of financial processes. (I)
- Strong experience of working as part of a widerbusiness consulting with senior stakeholders utilising an indepth understanding of business priorities and effectively partnering with stakeholders to meet organisational and financial objectives. (I)
- Significant experience in provision of high quality written and verbal advice for executive and senior level decision makers. (S&I)
- Proven experience in the preparation of budgets forecasts and financial plans. (S)
- Understanding of the role of governance risk management and assurance in operational and project delivery. (S)
Skills & Abilities:
- Proven ability to build exceptional collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders and influence them with impact and professional credibility
- Proven excellent experience of developing effective working partnerships and offering challenges where necessary to senior stakeholder groups
- Proven ability to lead and motivate a team to deliver high standards of service.
- Proven high level written and oral communication skills.
- Personal resilience and a confident approach willing to apply good judgement to solve issues and find solutions.
- Ability to respond calmly to pressure and to make impartial and wellconsidered judgments in complex situations.
- Very good organisational skills able to manage and prioritise own and others workload and meet deadlines in a very timely manner.
Competencies:
All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as:
Thinking and Problem Solving Stakeholder management Communication skills Influencing Selfawareness/selfmanagement Strategic awareness Working with others Project management
Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage in addition to the criterias listed in the person specification.
Travel Requirements:
Swindon based: There may be the occasional requirement for national 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 setout 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 inperson. 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 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 worklife balance and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants.
Preemployment Screening:
To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive preemployment 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 rerun 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 preemployment 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;
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
