Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity's greatest challenges. We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and strategic Finance Director. If you are an experienced finance leader with the potential to grow into a key leadership position, and are passionate about making a lasting impact, this role could be the next step in your career. As Finance Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our Institute's financial future. You will be a trusted senior leader, responsible for steering our financial strategy and ensuring we operate with transparency, efficiency, and alignment with our scientific and operational goals. This is a unique chance to influence our financial direction at a crucial time while providing the leadership and financial insights required to drive long-term success. In this role, you will work closely with senior leaders, collaborating with teams across the Institute to guide strategic financial decisions, manage reporting and compliance, and ensure financial sustainability. Your emotional intelligence, exceptional communication, and influencing skills will be crucial in this leadership role as you work with a diverse set of stakeholders. Key Responsibilities: Lead our efficiency and value initiative Lead and mentor the Finance team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared purpose. Shape and execute long-term financial strategies that align with our scientific and operational goals. Provide strategic financial guidance to senior leadership and the Board, enabling informed decision-making that drives growth and impact. Act as Senior Responsible Officer for the design and implementation of a new ERP system. Oversee financial reporting and compliance, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and alignment with best practices. Optimize financial outcomes in grant management and external funding processes. Serve as a key advisor, supporting the leadership team through change management and driving financial process improvements. Qualifications and Experience: Fully qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or CIPFA) with significant post-qualification experience. Extensive experience in a senior financial management role within a complex organization. Strong track record of strategic financial planning and implementing financial strategies. Experience in leading audit processes, ensuring financial controls are robust and financial statements are of high quality. Ability to analyse complex financial data, identify trends, and provide actionable insights to support decision-making. Experience of working with, advising, and influencing at Board level. Experience in leading and managing change, particularly in financial processes and systems Knowledge of financial management in a registered charity and experience with grant-maintained funds (desirable) Skills and Attributes: Outstanding leadership and communication skills Ability to translate complex financial information for non-financial audiences Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate complex financial challenges and develop effective solutions. Adaptable and innovative approach to financial management Ability to build and maintain relationships across diverse networks and sectors Ability to promote and maintain an inclusive, diverse, and multicultural environment, ensuring financial practices reflect these values. Other Information: Join us in a flexible hybrid-working environment that values work-life balance and empowers you to take control of your professional and personal time. We recognise the many benefits of hybrid working, including improved focus, better work-life integration, and the ability to organise your time in a way that ensures productive collaboration and team discussions on campus. Due to the nature of the role, we anticipate you being on-site 2-3 days per week. Full details or the job description and information about Sanger and our Science can be found here. Application Process: Please submit your CV, along with a brief cover letter that details your experience, how you meet the essential criteria listed, and why you are suited for this role For any informal queries, please contact Sam Burns, sb54sanger.ac.uk Closing date: 12th February Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger: We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others. We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That's why we're committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive. Our Benefits: We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute. Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.