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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a finance team, providing insights and support to stakeholders for effective financial management.
- Company: Join UKRI, a leading organisation driving research and innovation across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team influencing strategic decisions and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with strong finance experience and exceptional Excel skills required.
- Other info: Open-ended role with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
The predicted salary is between 56745 - 56745 £ per year.
This role is part of the Senior Finance Management Team for AHRC and ESRC and is responsible for leading a team of Finance Business Partners/Management Accountants. The team provides comprehensive financial business partnering services and operational finance across the two Councils. The role offers effective insight, challenge, and support to stakeholders including Directorate leads, budget-holders, and senior finance and non-finance managers across Finance and UKRI, to achieve UKRI priorities.
Responsibilities
- Lead a team of Finance staff to deliver effective financial business partnering to designated Directorate areas.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders in Directorate areas and other teams, including budget holders, senior programme managers, Directors, financial planning and reporting teams, legal and commercial teams, and external stakeholders.
- Apply sound commercial and business awareness to provide decision support, offering insights and challenges to senior stakeholders to ensure robust financial processes.
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders to advise on funding and help establish strategic priorities using judgment, evidence, and professional knowledge.
About You
Essential
- Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA) or QBE.
- Strong understanding of accounting and finance, with experience in senior finance roles and delivering effective financial management.
- High proficiency in IT systems, particularly MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, with exceptional Excel skills.
- Understanding of contracts and commercial elements within projects.
- Experience with month and year-end processes, including accruals, prepayments, and variance analysis.
- Highly numerate with the ability to analyze complex issues and communicate key insights effectively.
- Experience in balancing stakeholder demands while maintaining financial process integrity.
- Proven ability to partner with stakeholders, understand business priorities, and meet organizational and financial objectives.
- Experience providing high-quality advice suitable for executive decision-makers.
- Proven track record in preparing complex budgets, forecasts, and financial plans.
Benefits
We value our employees and offer a competitive pay and rewards package. We support employee development and promote continuous learning. Benefits include:
- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
- 30 days annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days (full-time equivalent)
- Employee discounts on retail and leisure activities
- Employee assistance programme offering confidential support
- Flexible working options
How To Apply
Applicants should submit an up-to-date CV and a cover letter explaining their suitability for the role. Further application instructions are available on our careers page.
Strategic Finance Business Partner employer: Innovate UK
Contact Detail:
Innovate UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in strategic finance roles. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the specific challenges they face.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with UKRI's priorities and recent projects. Understanding their strategic goals will help you tailor your discussions and demonstrate how your skills can directly contribute to their objectives during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in financial management and stakeholder engagement. Think of specific examples where you've successfully partnered with stakeholders to achieve financial objectives, as this will be crucial in showcasing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your Excel skills, particularly advanced functions and data analysis techniques. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in handling complex financial data will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as a qualified accountant and showcases your experience in senior finance roles. Emphasise your proficiency in IT systems, particularly Excel, and any relevant financial management achievements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly explain how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities of the Strategic Finance Business Partner role. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to provide decision support and collaborate with stakeholders.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on experiences that showcase your understanding of accounting and finance, particularly in relation to month and year-end processes, budget preparation, and stakeholder management.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Include examples of how you've analysed complex financial issues and communicated insights effectively to senior stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to balance stakeholder demands while maintaining financial integrity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Innovate UK
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your qualifications as a qualified accountant and how your experience aligns with the financial management responsibilities of the role. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed budgets or provided strategic financial insights.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Since this role involves collaborating with various stakeholders, come equipped with examples of how you've built strong relationships in previous roles. Discuss how you balanced stakeholder demands while ensuring financial integrity.
✨Exhibit Proficiency in IT Systems
Given the emphasis on IT skills, particularly in Excel, be ready to showcase your technical abilities. You might want to mention any complex financial models or reports you've created using Excel that demonstrate your proficiency.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to apply sound commercial awareness in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you had to provide decision support or challenge assumptions, and be ready to articulate your thought process.
