Finance Business Partner

Finance Business Partner

Full-Time 44000 - 52000 ÂŁ / 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: Tax-free salary, flexible working, generous leave, and comprehensive health insurance.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with strong support for international applicants and diverse backgrounds.
  • 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 44000 - 52000 ÂŁ 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 are advancing 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.

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.

  • 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

Qualifications 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

Additional desirable qualifications

Contract length: 3 years (limited)

Salary: Grade 6 monthly salary from ÂŁ3,695.61 after tax plus generous benefits and financial allowances depending on family circumstances. Excluding personal pension and insurance contributions.

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity‐driven, community‐oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture – one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation.

Enjoy lots of benefits

  • Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, Monthly family, child and non‐resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long‐term care, accident‐at‐work and unemployment insurances
  • Flexible 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 public holidays
  • Relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)
  • Campus life: Free shuttle bus (Heidelberg), library, subsidised on‐site cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
  • Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances
  • Benefits for international newcomers: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non‐resident allowance

For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here.

What else you need to know

  • International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page, to find out more.
  • EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.
  • Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

Closing Date: 10/05/2026

Finance Business Partner employer: European Molecular Biology Laboratory

At the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL‐EBI), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Finance Business Partner, you will not only contribute to groundbreaking research but also enjoy generous benefits such as a tax-free salary, flexible working arrangements, and extensive professional development opportunities. Join us in our mission to tackle global challenges while enjoying a supportive environment that values diversity and personal growth.
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Contact Detail:

European Molecular Biology Laboratory 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 you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching EMBL-EBI's recent projects and initiatives. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their mission.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your financial storytelling! Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and supported strategic objectives in past roles. Use specific examples that highlight your 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 by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the EMBL-EBI team.

We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner

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

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. 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 and organisational skills. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed budgets or identified financial risks in the past.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother 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 European Molecular Biology Laboratory

✨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 the past. Prepare examples of how you've influenced financial decisions in previous roles.

✨Understand the Science

Since you'll be partnering with scientists, it's crucial to have a basic understanding of the research projects you'll be involved in. Familiarise yourself with the current challenges in bioinformatics and how they relate to funding. This will help you engage more effectively during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills

This role requires strong interpersonal skills. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully collaborated with diverse teams. Highlight any experiences where you've navigated difficult conversations or influenced decision-making across different levels.

✨Prepare for Compliance Questions

Given the importance of compliance in managing grants, expect questions about your experience with funding rules and internal processes. Think of instances where you've ensured compliance and how you proactively identified financial risks. This will show your attention to detail and commitment to quality.

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