UK Research and Innovation
Salary: £45,272 per annum (dependent on skills and experience).
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (Hybrid Working)
Closing Date: 28th April 2025
Purpose of the role
Provide financial business partnering to MRC, working closely with MRC Institutes and other stakeholders, delivering high quality and robust financial planning and management information, to aid decision making and outcomes in line with MRC and UKRI priorities.
Key Areas of Accountability
1. Leadership / teamwork / collaboration
o Build & maintain good working relationships with internal colleagues, partners and external stakeholders, providing input and advice.
o Primary finance contact for MRC Institutes, reviewing outturns and commentaries through constructive challenge, whilst providing insight and advice in line with MRC/UKRI policies and financial objectives.
o Work collaboratively across the finance team and MRC/UKRI, supporting Programme Managers, Directors and Reviews Team through the provision of timely and accurate financial information to aid financial planning and decision making.
o Understand the linkages and dependencies between the different Councils 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 programmes and promoting a culture of teamwork.
o Share wider team responsibilities on a range of issues, as and when required.
2. Delivery / programmes / projects / process
o Collate budgets and forecasts, with emphasis on mid to long term planning, providing financial insight and analysis through planning scenarios in line with UKRI’s allocation advice, to aid MRC’s decision making and long-term financial strategies.
o Provide insight and financial analysis of MRC’s Institutes & Units, through review of regular Institute/Unit data and commentary and annual finance returns and QQRs (Quinquennial Reviews).
o Represent Finance during Annual Reviews and Ad Hoc meetings as required.
o Communicate the importance of Finance to partners at all levels using business awareness to present insightful information and analysis to support effective longer-term decision-making and deliver outcomes in line with MRC/UKRI priorities.
o Ensure compliance with internal financial, DSIT and HMG controls within assigned business areas ensuring the integrity of UKRI accounts.
o Support the NAO audit for specific MRC Directorate at Full/Interim.
Other
This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main duties and responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role in conjunction with their line manager. The post holder may be asked to carry out any other delegated duty or task that is in line with the post.
Support to the various Business Change Programmes as required, SHARP, TFS, Databank.
Essential Skills/Qualifications/Experience
(S) – Assessed at shortlisting
(I) – Assessed at interview
(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview
Qualifications:
* Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA), actively working towards qualification, or equivalent experience (QBE) (S)
Experience & knowledge:
* Strong understanding of accounting and finance with experience of delivering effective financial management & reporting.
* Good IT skills, including good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel intermediate level minimum. (I)
* Experience of month and year-end processes - accruals and prepayment calculations, variance analyses etc. (I)
* Proven experience of working as part of a wider team, consulting with senior stakeholders, understanding of business priorities and the importance of collaborating with partners to meet organisational financial objectives. (S&I)
* Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, both verbally and in writing, providing advice suitable for senior level decision makers. (S&I)
* Proven experience in the preparation of complex budgets, forecasts and financial plans. (S&I)
* Understanding the role of governance, risk management and assurance in project delivery. (I)
* Experience of financial modelling or working with high volumes of data (Preferred) (S)
Skills & abilities:
* Ability to build relationships and influence with impact and professional credibility.
* Able to challenge or convey constructive feedback where necessary.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Personal resilience and a confident approach to problem solving.
* Ability to work both independently and effectively within a team environment.
* Good organisational skills, able to manage and prioritise own workload to meet strict deadlines.
About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
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