Head of Finance

UK Research & Innovation

Salary: 70752 per annum

Band: UKRI Band G

Contract Type: Fixed Term (Until April 2027)

Hours: Full-time (Secondment/Job Share Considered) (flexible working available)

Location: Polaris House Swindon Wiltshire - Hybrid working available

Closing Date: 4th February 2026

About the role

Providing a comprehensive financial business partnering service to assigned business area; providing high level insight challenge and support to a comprehensive range of stakeholders to deliver outcomes in line with UKRI priorities.

Interim role to April 2027; we are undertaking significant work on our operating model over 26-27.

Your responsibilities:

Leadership / teamwork:

Take a collegiate approach to leading across the UKRI Finance function

Develop exceptional collaborative relationships with senior managers and key internal and external stakeholders including the Executive Chair COO and Directors.

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 high-risk matters

Represent the Finance function and/or UKRI at relevant Executive meetings Boards and Committees.

Delivery / programmes / projects / process:

Responsibility for a range of complex reporting and control functions positioning Finance to work with the business and link budgets to delivery plans and business cases.

Present insightful information and analysis to support effective strategic decision-making using strong business awareness to present insightful information and analysis and to support effective longer-term decision-making and deliver outcomes in line with UKRI priorities.

Ownership and accountability for annual and multi-year budget setting cycles including close work with central strategic finance team and DSIT on dual support issues

Accountability and direction in the development of the finance case within business cases and input and shape the direction of the other cases.

Accountable for ensuring compliance with internal financial DSIT and HMG controls within assigned business areas.

Accountability and responsibility for the production of high-quality reports for Executive meetings Boards and Committees

Other:

Lead finance support to new strategic investment programme boards within your assigned business area; these are standing up as part of our move to a more programmatic and impact-focussed approach to our investments

Active contribution to finance transformation work which will be taking place over the course of 26-27

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) (S).

Experience and knowledge:

High level understanding of accounting and finance and demonstrable experience of working in senior finance roles and delivering effective financial management (S I).

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. (I).

Strategic understanding of the role of governance risk management and assurance in operational and project delivery and ability to reflect that understanding in advice to the business. (S I).

Skills and abilities:

Proven ability to build exceptional collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders and influence and challenge them with impact and professional credibility (S I).

Personal resilience and a confident approach willing to apply good judgement to solve issues and find solutions. (I).

Strong organisational skills able to manage and prioritise own and others workload and meet deadlines in a very timely manner. (S).

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.