Finance Analyst in Retford

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd, a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKFE is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype. Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid‑century. The UK, led by UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Fusion Energy Ltd will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground‑breaking journey.

Benefits

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family‑friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• Wide range of career development opportunities.
• Vibrant inclusive culture.
• Further details can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/

Salary

£51,317 + excellent benefits, including outstanding pension.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and commercially minded Finance Analyst to join our newly formed Financial Strategy Team. Reporting directly to the Head of Financial Strategy, this is a high‑profile Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) role, offering the opportunity to influence major strategic decisions and play a key role in the successful delivery of a nationally significant programme. This role is an exciting opportunity for an analytical finance professional who enjoys solving complex challenges, influencing stakeholders, and translating financial insight into strategic action.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Modelling & Analysis – Develop, maintain, and enhance complex financial models to support strategic decision‑making, investment planning, and long‑term programme delivery; produce integrated forecasts across profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash‑flow positions; conduct detailed scenario planning and sensitivity analysis to assess risks and opportunities; perform investment appraisals, including NPV and IRR analysis for major capital projects; analyse programme expenditure, budgets, forecasts and key performance metrics, identifying trends and providing actionable recommendations.
• Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting – Support and coordinate annual budget setting, long‑range planning, and forecasting processes; partner with stakeholders to ensure budgets align with strategic objectives and funding requirements; develop and improve driver‑based forecasting methodologies; challenge assumptions and provide robust financial scrutiny to support decision‑making.
• Strategic Business Partnering – Act as a trusted finance partner to the Head of Financial Strategy and senior programme leaders; provide forward‑looking financial insight and recommendations to mitigate risks and maximise opportunities; support the development and implementation of the financial strategy for both UKFE and the STEP Programme; translate complex financial information into clear and compelling narratives for senior audiences.
• Reporting & Governance – Prepare high‑quality management reports, presentations and financial papers for executive committees, boards, and external stakeholders; ensure compliance with financial governance frameworks, public sector reporting standards and funding requirements; support transparency, accountability and continuous improvement in financial processes.

Qualifications

• Relevant accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or a degree in Finance, Economics, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Proven experience (minimum 2 years) in a dedicated FP&A, Commercial Finance, or Strategy role.
• Exceptional financial modelling skills using Excel (or similar tools), with demonstrable experience building robust, dynamic, and complex models from scratch.
• Strong analytical capabilities, attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem‑solving.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex financial information to non‑financial stakeholders.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, able to build credibility with non‑financial colleagues and IPT leaders.
• Beneficial – Experience working within a large‑scale programme, infrastructure, or government environment.
• Familiarity with UK public sector financial standards and budgetary processes.
• Experience using finance and project management systems such as Unit4, ThinkProject, PowerBI or equivalent.
• Experience working in a matrix environment, balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders.

Additional Information

• We welcome applications from under‑represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities.
• Our Executive team, supported by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation.
• This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. An SC Clearance may be required in the future; if a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred.
• For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, information on criminal record checks can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants.
• STEP has six core behaviours: We champion safety, We all matter, We act as one, We embrace change, We are pioneering, We deliver.