Finance Business Partner Missions & Proof of Concept

UK Research and Innovation
Salary: 45272 per annum

Band: UKRI Band E
Contract Type: Open ended

Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House Swindon Wiltshire - Hybrid working available

Closing Date: 12th October 2025

Interview Date: W/c 3rd November 2025

About the role

Reporting to the Cross Council Cluster Directorates Strategic Finance Business Partner the role is to provide a comprehensive financial business partnering service to the UKRIsResearch & Development Missions Programme (RDMP)andProof-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.

Your responsibilities:

Key Areas of Accountability

Leadership / teamwork / collaboration

• 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 operating units 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
• Provide support within the cross council cluster Finance team to ensure key deliverables are met across the operating unit.

Delivery / programmes / projects / process

• 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 forRDMP 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

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S) Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential

Qualifications:

• Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA) actively working towards qualification or equivalent experience (QBE). (S)

Experience & knowledge:

• 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 & controls (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 delivery (I)

Skills & abilities:

• Ability to build relationships with senior partners and influence them with impact and professional credibility
• Strong experience of developing effective working partnerships and offering challenges where necessary to senior decision-making groups
• Line management and leadership skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Personal resilience and a confident approach willing to apply good judgement to solve issues and find solutions independently
• Highly developed team working skills able to form effective working relationships quickly
• Ability to respond calmly under pressure and to make impartial and well-considered judgments in complex situations
• Good organisational skills able to manage and prioritise own and others workloads and meet deadlines in a very timely manner
• Flexible in nature and able to work on several differing priorities at once

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
• 30 days annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
• Employee assistance programme providing confidential help and advice
• Flexible working options

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Please apply online if you experience any issue applying please contact

Please note if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK as part of your sponsorship application you and any dependants travelling with you will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information please visit contact.