Financial Controller

Salary for this Role: From 86000 with benefits subject to skills and experience.

Reports to: Gavin Mapstone

Closing Date: 02 / Nov / 2025 23.59 GMT

Working pattern: Hybrid working. Monday - Friday. This is a permanent role on Crick T&Cs. Whilst we ask that our teams spend the majority of their week on-site, we welcome applications from those who meet the role requirements but may wish to work on a less than full-time basis.

About us: The Francis Crick Institute is Europe's largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities and a creative and curious culture. We've removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role: Are you a financial controller who is a pioneer in your field? Have you improved your teams through a fusion of innovation, intelligence and transformative thinking? For our labs to accelerate discovery through a culture of scientific excellence and support the biomedical research endeavour across the UK and beyond, it's vital our operations aim for excellence and ingenuity too. We're looking for an inspiring leader to step into a pivotal role as Financial Controller. This exciting role is a senior position and will support the Group Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer in implementing the vision for Crick finance. We want to see your passion for getting the best from people and processes shape the future of our department where we look to embrace digital tools to move our finance department to the next level and provide outstanding partnership to our stakeholders. As an expert in your field, you will be responsible for the financial accounting and finance operations teams; however, this role goes beyond oversight, it's about strategic influence. Partnering with senior leaders, you will navigate financial reporting standards, the Charities SORP and tax regulations, balancing risk and return with confidence and clarity. You'll inspire excellence in financial controls, taking ownership of the Annual Report and Accounts and use modern finance systems to produce precise, insightful reporting that drives decision making. This is your chance to lead with impact in a role where finance meets innovation. As a senior leader, you'll have the autonomy to make key decisions, inspire your team and shape the future of our financial operations, all within a culture that actively encourages flexible working. It's a pivotal moment to bring fresh thinking to a purpose-driven organisation that's evolving fast. If you thrive on challenge, creativity and strategic influence, there's never been a more exciting time to join our team.

What you will be doing:

• Lead on the design and application of financial controls, policies and procedures within the organisation.
• Demonstrate significant subject matter expertise in financial reporting standards (FRS), charities SORP (statement of recommended practice), their application to the Crick and an ability to communicate this effectively.
• Ensure best use is made of the Crick's charitable and trading entities to maximise financial returns and minimise risk.
• Provide lead guidance and recommendation of accounting and taxation implications for new initiatives/business cases and commercial activity.
• Responsible for timely and accurate completion of month end and year close and preparatory work on the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA).
• Responsible for timely and accurate completion of statutory accounting, tax returns and year-end audit.
• Manage working capital including day-to-day relationship with bankers and management of foreign exchange risk in line with direction from Group FD/CFO.
• Support provision of management information to the Audit and Risk Committee, Executive and Finance Committee.
• Work with the Head of Finance Effectiveness to make best use of the latest technology and information systems to evolve decision-making and organisational performance.

About you: You will have:

• A qualified accountant (ideally ACCA or ICAEW) with significant experience as a finance leader or senior financial controller in a complex organisation.
• Experience of working with a group structure incorporating both charitable and trading entities.
• Exceptional technical financial accounting and tax skills with an aptitude for applying technical requirements and standards to practical business situations.
• Evidence of deploying technology and leading on automation and process improvement.
• A strong leader who has successfully led and developed a team.
• A clear thinker and problem solver able to consider issues from different perspectives and to plan and execute solutions effectively.
• Experience working strategically to realise organisational goals.

About Working at the Crick: Our values: Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick's mission and shaping our culture! We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We're not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We're highly collaborative and interactive and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to succeed regardless of their background, identity or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e. would like to apply by phone or post) please email: Find out more about life at the Crick.

What will you receive: At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• Health & Well-being: 24/7 GP consultation services, occupational health services and mental health support programmes, eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Back-up care for dependents, childcare support allowance, annual leave purchase options, Crick Networks offering diverse groups support community and inclusive social events.
• Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme and shopping discounts, subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.

Key Skills: Accounting Software, GAAP, QuickBooks, General Ledger Accounting, Accounting IFRS, Sage, Regulatory Reporting, Workers' Compensation Law, Budgeting, ERP Systems, Financial Management.

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1