Finance Business Partner in Swindon

Applicants must submit applications by 24-03-2026. The advert will close on 23 March 2026 at 23.59pm.

Band: UKRI Band E (UKRI Ts & Cs)

Salary: £46,743 gross per annum

Reports to: Line Manager Job Title

Location: Swindon (Hybrid Working)

Contract: Fixed Term until 31/03/2028

Job Purpose

Provide dedicated finance expertise, insight and business partnering to AHRC and ESRC, working closely with stakeholders to add financial awareness to decision making, and deliver outcomes that are in line with Innovate UK and UKRI priorities and Managed Programmes.

We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Build & maintain good working relationships with colleagues & partners and provide input and advice.
• Support Programme Managers and Senior Leadership Teams to effectively manage their programmes through the provision of timely, accurate and complete financial information, advice, and constructive challenge.
• Understand the linkages and dependencies between the different Councils within UKRI by actively working with other Finance Business Partners and colleagues across UKRI to seek opportunities for improvement, change and efficiency within Finance, strengthening internal controls, financial analysis, and effective management of programmes and promoting a culture of teamwork.
• To deputise for the Senior Finance Business Partner on a range of issues, if and when required.

Role Deliverables

• Perform a range of reporting and control functions, positioning Finance to work with the business and link budgets to delivery plans and business cases.
• Communicate the importance of Finance to partners at all levels, and use strong business awareness to present insightful information and analysis to support effective longer-term decision-making and deliver outcomes in line with Innovate UK and UKRI priorities.
• Manage annual and multi-year budget setting and forecasting cycles.
• Develop the finance case within business cases.
• Manage applications for additional budget cover.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial, DSIT and HMG controls within assigned business areas.

Shortlisting Criteria

• Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA), actively working or willing to work towards qualification, or equivalent experience (QBE).
• Strong understanding of accounting and finance and demonstrable experience of working in a similar role.
• Very good IT skills, including good knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Excel.
• Experience of financial modelling & controls.
• Demonstrable experience of month and year-end processes - accruals and prepayment calculations, variance analyses etc.
• Demonstrable experience of working as part of a wider-business, consulting with senior stakeholders, utilising an in-depth understanding of business priorities and effectively working with partners to meet organisational and financial objectives.
• Experience in provision of high quality written and oral advice suitable for senior level decision makers.
• Proven experience in the preparation of complex budgets, forecasts and financial plans.
• Understanding of the role of governance, risk management and assurance in project delivery.

Competencies

All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as: Thinking and Problem Solving, Stakeholder Management, Communication Skills, Influencing, Self-awareness/Self-management, Strategic Awareness, Working with Others, Project Management. Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage, in addition to the criteria listed in the person specification.

Travel Requirements

Swindon-based: There may be the occasional requirement for national travel.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. Underpinning this is a belief that it is a fundamental right for everyone to be treated equally, with fairness, respect and dignity.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments, some of which will be online and others may be in-person.

Employee Benefits

We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days' annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes.

Flexible Working

We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants.

Pre-employment Screening

To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.