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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and provide insights to drive UKRI's priorities.
- Company: Join UK Research & Innovation, a leader in research funding and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a great pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on strategic financial decisions in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with senior finance experience and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and involvement in finance transformation projects.
The predicted salary is between 70752 - 78842 £ per year.
UK Research & Innovation
Salary: £70,752 per annum
Band: UKRI Band G
Contract Type: Fixed Term (Until April 2027)
Hours: Full-time (Secondment/Job Share Considered) (flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available
Closing Date: 4th February 2026
About The Role
Providing a comprehensive financial business partnering service to assigned business area; providing high level insight, challenge and support to a comprehensive range of stakeholders, to deliver outcomes in line with UKRI priorities. Interim role to April 2027; we are undertaking significant work on our operating model over 26‐27.
Your Responsibilities
- Leadership / teamwork
- Take a collegiate approach to leading across the UKRI Finance function.
- Develop exceptional collaborative relationships with senior managers and key internal and external stakeholders including the Executive Chair, COO, and Directors.
- Lead in providing strategic finance advice, driving value for money, and offering challenges to relevant internal and external senior stakeholders, based on strong business awareness and understanding, to ensure robust financial processes.
- As a recognised expert, work closely with senior stakeholders to bring insight and influence on financial matters to aid in establishing strategic priorities, particularly in more complex or high‐risk matters.
- Represent the Finance function and/or UKRI at relevant Executive meetings, Boards and Committees.
- Delivery / Programmes / Projects / Process
- Responsibility for a range of complex reporting and control functions, positioning Finance to work with the business and link budgets to delivery plans and business cases.
- Present insightful information and analysis to support effective strategic decision‐making, using strong business awareness to present insightful information and analysis and to support effective longer‐term decision‐making and deliver outcomes in line with UKRI priorities.
- Ownership and accountability for annual and multi‐year budget setting cycles including close work with central strategic finance team and DSIT on dual support issues.
- Accountability and direction in the development of the finance case within business cases, and input and shape the direction of the other cases.
- Accountable for ensuring compliance with internal financial, DSIT and HMG controls within assigned business areas.
- Accountability and responsibility for the production of high‐quality reports for Executive meetings, Boards and Committees.
- Other
- Lead finance support to new strategic investment programme boards within your assigned business area; these are standing up as part of our move to a more programmatic and impact‐focussed approach to our investments.
- Active contribution to finance transformation work which will be taking place over the course of 26‐27.
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
- Essential Qualifications
- Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA)
- Experience And Knowledge
- High level understanding of accounting and finance, and demonstrable experience of working in senior finance roles and delivering effective financial management (S, I).
- Highly numerate with the ability to provide insightful analysis on complex issues, communicating the key elements to effectively deliver projects and influence decision making at a strategic level. (I).
- Strategic understanding of the role of governance, risk management and assurance in operational and project delivery and ability to reflect that understanding in advice to the business. (S, I).
- Skills And Abilities
- Proven ability to build exceptional collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders and influence and challenge them with impact and professional credibility (S, I).
- Personal resilience and a confident approach, willing to apply good judgement to solve issues and find solutions. (I).
- Strong organisational skills, able to manage and prioritise own and others workload and meet deadlines in a very timely manner. (S).
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A List Of Benefits Below
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
- Plus, many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For Further Information On Our Benefits Please See Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact.
Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager.
For more information, please visit here.
Head of Finance in Swindon employer: Innovate UK
Contact Detail:
Innovate UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research UKRI's priorities and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to showcase your strategic thinking and how you can drive value for money.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to make a strong impression, so rehearse how you'll present your skills and experiences. Focus on your ability to build relationships and influence decision-making at a senior level.
✨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 team at UKRI.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the Head of Finance role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your achievements in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you've made and how you can bring that to UKRI.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read, so avoid jargon and focus on delivering your message effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Innovate UK
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence strategic decisions in the past. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to provide insightful analysis on complex issues.
✨Build Relationships
This role requires exceptional collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders. Think about how you can illustrate your experience in building these relationships. Be prepared to share specific instances where you’ve influenced decision-making or provided strategic finance advice to senior managers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Leadership is key in this position. Reflect on your leadership style and be ready to discuss how you lead teams and projects. Share examples of how you’ve fostered teamwork and collaboration within finance functions, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and judgement. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role, such as compliance issues or budget constraints, and prepare your approach to resolving them. This will show your strategic understanding of governance and risk management.
