AMS PSR

On behalf of UKRI, we are looking for a Finance Business Partner (Inside IR35) for a 9 month (potential extension) contract based  in Swindon 2 days per week in the office.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the national funding agency investing in science and research in the UK.

UKRI invests £8 billion of taxpayers’ money each year into research and innovation and the people who make it happen. They work across a huge range of fields – from biodiversity conservation to quantum computing, and from space telescopes to innovative health care. They give everyone the opportunity to contribute and to benefit, bringing together people and organisations nationally and globally to create, develop and deploy new ideas and technologies.

Reporting to the EPSRC Critical Technologies Strategic Finance Business Partner, the role is to provide a comprehensive financial business partnering service to the Industrial Strategy Critical Technology programme.

This role involves performing a range of Financial Management reporting and control functions and encompasses management and support of Programme and some Opex activities.

As a Finance Business Partner, your main responsibilities will be:

• 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, support 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 Industrial Strategy programmes and promoting a culture of teamwork.
• To deputise for the Strategic Finance Business Partner, if and when required.
• Ensuring delivery of robust and informative reporting to the Programme Board and Senior Responsible Officer.
• Support on the writing of, and reviewing of, Business Cases for the new Critical Technology workstreams.
• 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 Critical Technology programme budgets, 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 Operating Unit/UKRI priorities.
• Manage annual and multi-year budget setting and forecasting cycles.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial, DSIT and HMG controls within assigned business areas.

Essential:

• Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA), working towards qualification, or equivalent QBE experience, with strong accounting, financial management and reporting expertise.
• Proven experience in financial modelling, controls, budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and month/year-end processes including accruals, prepayments and variance analysis.
• Advanced IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, with the ability to analyse complex financial data and support decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience partnering senior leaders, influencing decision-making, and providing high-quality financial advice and insight.
• Demonstrated leadership and relationship-building capability, including developing effective partnerships, and constructively challenging senior stakeholders where required.
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the resilience and flexibility to manage competing priorities, work under pressure, and deliver to tight deadlines.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, UKRI guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant 

UKRI guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".