Finance Business Partner
Finance Business Partner

Finance Business Partner

Full-Time 44340 - 44340 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Partner with scientists to manage research grants and ensure financial success.
  • Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a leading scientific research organisation making global impacts.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid work, generous leave, and family benefits.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in science and healthcare while advancing your finance career.
  • 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.

Finance Business Partner 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 scientific research. Located at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge, our team enjoys generous benefits including hybrid working arrangements, extensive family support, and a vibrant campus life with numerous social activities. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, EMBL-EBI provides ample opportunities for professional growth while contributing to groundbreaking solutions for global challenges.
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Contact Detail:

EMBL-EBI Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner

✨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 understanding the role inside out. Dive into the specifics of financial management in research grants, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want to show them we’re the perfect fit!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of how you’ve tackled financial challenges in the past. This will help us demonstrate our analytical skills and ability to influence decision-making.

✨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 we’re serious about joining the EMBL-EBI team!

We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner

Financial Management
Budgetary Control
Financial Reporting
Analytical Skills
Organisational Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Diplomacy
Negotiation Skills
Proactive Initiative
Compliance Knowledge
Risk Identification
Continuous Improvement
Financial Systems Development
Collaboration
Project Expenditure Monitoring

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: Since this role involves monitoring project expenditure and preparing financial reports, make sure to highlight your analytical abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully managed budgets or identified financial risks in previous roles.

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 involved in. 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 supporting their work.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle financial risks. Think of specific scenarios where you've identified financial issues and how you addressed them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

✨Build Rapport

Interpersonal skills are key in this role. During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Show your diplomatic side by discussing how you've navigated difficult conversations in the past. This will highlight your ability to influence decision-making across teams.

Finance Business Partner
EMBL-EBI

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