At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with scientists to manage research grants and ensure financial success.
- Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a leading scientific research organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global challenges through innovative finance solutions.
- Qualifications: Professional accounting qualifications and 5 years of relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 44340 - 44340 £ per year.
Are you a commercially minded finance professional looking to make a meaningful impact in a world-leading scientific environment? At the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), part of European Molecular Biology Laboratory, we advance scientific discovery through bioinformatics and enable solutions for global challenges such as infectious diseases, food insecurity and loss of biodiversity. With over 1,900 colleagues across six international sites, EMBL is one of the most influential research organisations in the world. We are seeking two experienced Finance Business Partners to join our collaborative Budget Office team, based at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge.
Your role
In this role, you won’t just report numbers; you’ll partner directly with world-class scientists, and help to shape the financial success of pioneering research projects. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring that our grant funding is managed effectively, enabling breakthroughs that can transform science and healthcare globally. As a Finance Business Partner you will report to the EBI Budget Office Manager taking ownership for:
- Leading the financial management of a portfolio of research grants, from post-award through to reporting
- Collaborate closely with our Group Leaders, supporting their strategic objectives
- Monitor and control project expenditure, ensuring alignment with funding requirements
- Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for grant-awarding bodies
- Conduct quality reviews to ensure compliance with funding rules and internal processes
- Proactively identify financial risks and provide clear, actionable insights
- Support payment distribution across research partners and projects
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing financial processes and service delivery
- Play a key role in financial systems development, including Workday enhancements and user training
- Build strong relationships across scientific and operational teams, influencing decision-making at multiple levels
You have:
- Professional Accounting Qualifications (ACCA, ICAEW, ACA, CIMA or equivalent)
- University degree in Finance
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a well-regarded medium/large organisation
- Experience of financial/budgetary control and management
- Excellent analytical and organisational skills
- Flexible approach to work and ability to plan, organise and prioritise own workload
- Ability to use own initiative to work proactively and independently often working to deadlines set by others
- Excellent general interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and negotiating skills, with the ability to hold difficult conversations with a variety of different colleagues.
You may also have:
- Experience of working in an international organisation
Apply now!
Benefits and Contract Information
- Financial incentives: depending on circumstances, monthly family/marriage allowance of £278, monthly child allowance of £336 per child. Non-resident allowance up to £569 (changes if grade 8+) per month. Annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
- Hybrid working arrangements
- Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
- Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to eight bank holidays
- Relocation package including installation grant (as applicable)
- Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
- Family benefits: On-site nursery, child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances
- Contract duration: This position is a 3 year contract
- Salary: Monthly salary starting at £3695 after tax but excluding pension & insurances + benefits (Total package will be dependent on family circumstances)
- International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions.
- Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.
Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.
To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV via our online system. Applications will close on 10/05/2026.
Locations
Finance Business Partner in Chelmsford, Essex employer: EMBL-EBI
At the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative work culture that empowers finance professionals to make a significant impact in the scientific community. Located at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge, our employees enjoy generous benefits including hybrid working arrangements, extensive leave, and a supportive environment for personal and professional growth, all while contributing to groundbreaking research that addresses global challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner in Chelmsford, Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at EMBL-EBI on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching recent projects at EMBL-EBI. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for their mission in bioinformatics and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial insights! Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed budgets and controlled expenditures in past roles. We want to see your analytical skills in action, so come prepared with examples.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at EMBL-EBI.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner in Chelmsford, Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your professional accounting qualifications and relevant experience in financial management to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about finance in a scientific environment and how you can contribute to our mission at EMBL-EBI. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:As a Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate strong analytical abilities. In your application, provide examples of how you've successfully managed budgets or identified financial risks in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you're serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at EMBL-EBI
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you've influenced financial decisions in a collaborative environment.
✨Understand the Science
Since you'll be partnering with scientists, it's crucial to have a grasp of the research projects you'll be supporting. Familiarise yourself with EMBL-EBI's mission and recent breakthroughs. This will help you speak their language and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
You'll be working closely with various teams, so highlight your interpersonal skills during the interview. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully navigated difficult conversations or influenced decision-making. This will demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships across departments.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Given the importance of compliance in managing grant funding, be ready to discuss your experience with financial regulations and internal processes. Think of specific instances where you've ensured compliance and how you proactively identified financial risks in past roles.
