Senior Finance Manager (Scientific Research & Innovation)
£68,000 - £72,000 (+ Benefits)
Reports to: Head of Finance (Core Purpose)
Department: Chief Operating Office
Contract: 12 month fixed-term contract
If you are on a permanent contract, we are open to exploring this role as an external secondment (a skills exchange programme where a permanent employee is seconded from their current organisation to work for Cancer Research UK. You would remain on your current company's payroll and Cancer Research UK would pay your company as a supplier so that you can return to your current organisation at the end of this contract)
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office).
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
This role will sit within our Core Purpose Finance team as the Senior Finance Manager for our Scientific Research & Innovation (R&I) and Policy, Information & Communications (PIC) directorates.
Cancer Research UK is the largest independent, non-commercial funder of cancer science worldwide. Our R&I directorate brings together our scientists, clinicians, Therapeutic Innovation, Centre of Drug Development (CDD), and network of global partners to develop ground-breaking ideas, research, and treatments to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer. In 2023/24, we committed £400m towards this life-saving research and are on track to spend over £1.5b on research over 5 years to deliver our Discover, Translate, and Partner strategies.
As a Senior Finance Manager, you will manage and lead the financial planning, management reporting, and analysis for these impactful business areas. You will connect closely with Cancer Research UK's cause by partnering and collaborating with managers and leaders from across R&I and PIC to deliver our ambitious strategy. This will involve supporting, advising, influencing, negotiating, and challenging the leadership teams to add valuable input towards financial decision-making, forecasting, budgeting, our 5-year plan, and strategic development. You will also line manage and lead our Core Purpose Finance Team (4 direct reports) by supporting and coaching them to meet the reporting, budgeting, and partnering needs of the R&I directorate.
What will I be doing?
* Leading the preparation and execution of all financial planning for the Scientific Research & Innovation (R&I) directorate.
* Producing and developing monthly and quarterly reporting for the R&I and Policy, Information & Communications (PIC) directorates:
* Providing analysis and scrutiny of financial outcomes and indicators of business performance to inform decision-making and direction.
* Building and developing knowledge and understanding of R&I and PIC's operations as well as external economic factors and their impact on these directorates.
* Building strong, credible stakeholder relationships with Directors and Heads in R&I and PIC:
* Line managing a team of 4 (x2 Finance Managers, x1 Senior Finance Analyst, and x1 Finance Analyst). This will involve supporting and developing the team in:
* Embodying Cancer Research UK's leadership behaviours by:
What skills will I need?
* Qualified or QBE Finance Manager or Finance Business Partner (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) who has led financial planning and decision-making within a large scientific research organisation (e.g., life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical, healthcare, charity etc).
* Significant experience leading on complex financial modelling, reporting, contract reviews, budgeting and forecasting; and contributing to year-end statements.
* A credible business partner who has built and managed strong, collaborative stakeholder relationships at all levels (including Heads and Directors).
* Proven ability to support, influence, and negotiate with senior managers and leaders in financial decision-making and planning while delivering strong financial controls.
* Line managed a team with experience setting objectives and KPIs, monitoring and tracking performance, recognising success, and supporting in improving underperformance.
* Clear communication with a demonstrable ability to present and explain financial information and guidance to non-financial stakeholders, colleagues, and management teams.
* Proactive in identifying opportunities to drive change and improvements to the team's operational effectiveness, processes, approaches, outputs, and financial controls.
* Can set and meet deadlines while maintaining strong attention to detail and effectively managing expectations.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
* Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
* Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
* Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
* Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
If you're interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we'd still love to hear from you.
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.
Additional Information
For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at .
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