At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis to support strategic decision-making at NOC.
- Company: Join the National Oceanography Centre, a leader in ocean research and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days leave, generous pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and social events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on marine science through insightful financial analysis.
- Qualifications: Experienced in finance with strong analytical and collaborative skills.
The predicted salary is between 55939 - 61530 £ per year.
Location: Southampton
Function: Strategic Finance
Salary: £55,939 - £61,530
Closing Date: 16/09/2026
Job Reference: NOC12322
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
Permanent Full time (37 hours per week)
Who are we?
We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK’s leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. Through our ground-breaking research, collaboration, and game-changing innovation we work to gain a deeper understanding of our ocean, helping every living thing on our planet flourish. We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community focused on solving challenging long-term marine science problems, underpinning international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.
About The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in strengthening FP&A capability across the National Oceanography Centre and supporting a more integrated, insight-led approach to financial planning and reporting. As Senior FP&A Business Partner, you’ll support annual budgeting, forecasting, longer-term financial planning, financial modelling and scenario analysis, helping senior stakeholders understand performance, risks, opportunities and future planning assumptions. Working closely with the Head of Reporting Transformation and teams across Strategic Finance, Strategic Business Development, science and operations, you’ll bring together financial, operational, pipeline and resource information to provide clear insight that supports costing, pricing, investment decisions and business planning. You’ll also play an important role in improving management reporting, planning processes and business intelligence outputs, helping to ensure information is consistent, reliable and focused on what stakeholders need to make informed decisions.
About You
You will be an experienced analyst, financial planning, management reporting and finance business partnering professional, with a strong track record of supporting forecasting, scenario analysis, matrix reporting and performance reporting. You’ll be confident producing clear financial analysis, insight and recommendations for senior stakeholders, turning complex financial, pipeline and resource information into meaningful management information. You’ll be comfortable providing constructive challenge, asking the right questions and using evidence to support better decision-making. You’ll be a collaborative and commercially minded finance professional, able to build strong relationships across finance, reporting, systems and operational teams. You’ll also have an interest in improving how financial planning and reporting is delivered, identifying opportunities to simplify, automate and make better use of data.
Why NOC? We Offer a Generous Set Of Benefits, Including:
- 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays
- a 10% employer contribution pension scheme
- Death in Service (3 times annual salary) provided by Aviva from day one of employment
- financial support for relocation
- a salary sacrifice scheme for electric / hybrid vehicles
- access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards
- a Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories
- a great working environment with a number of social events
- we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer
Location
This position will be based in Southampton. The centre is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car-parking with over 40 EV charging points. We have a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2 days per week.
We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position, as we strive to create a supportive and equitable environment where all voices are valued and heard.
Those seeking employment at NOC are considered solely on their qualifications, skills and experience, without regard to gender, gender identity, age, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, family status or any other protected characteristic.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the position and declare a disability.
Please note we are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this position.
Senior FP&A Business Partner in Southampton employer: National Oceanography Centre
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge scientific research vessels while contributing to vital oceanographic studies. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, NOC provides generous benefits including a robust pension scheme, death in service cover, and access to mental health support, all within a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values diversity. Based in Southampton, employees enjoy the chance to engage in meaningful work that has a global impact, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development in the marine science sector.
Contact Details:
National Oceanography Centre Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior FP&A Business Partner in Southampton
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior FP&A Business Partner in Southampton
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