Senior Finance Business Partner

Company Description

STEP Fusion UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd, a subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is at the forefront of developing fusion sustainable energy. Through the design and delivery of the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme, we aim to build a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UKFE will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week; however, we actively support requests for Flexible Working.

As an employee of UKFE you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies.
• 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.
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.

The salary for this role is £58,320 plus excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Finance Business Partner to provide strategic financial leadership across multiple Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) and programme areas within UK Fusion Energy (UKFE). This role is critical to ensuring that robust financial management, governance, and insight underpin the successful delivery of the STEP Programme, one of the UK’s most ambitious and complex science and engineering programmes.

Operating in a dynamic, multi-year delivery environment, you will provide authoritative financial challenge and advice to Programme Directors, IPT Leads, and senior stakeholders, while maintaining financial control across multiple projects, programmes, and inter-company transactions between UKFE and UKAEA. With a high degree of autonomy, you will shape financial governance, influence senior decision-making, and embed finance as a core enabler of delivery, value for money, and organisational strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Planning & Forecasting
  • Lead the preparation, consolidation, and ongoing management of budgets and forecasts across multiple IPTs and programmes.
  • Ensure forecasts are robust, evidence-based, and aligned with delivery milestones and resourcing plans.
  • Identify financial risks and opportunities, implementing corrective actions where required.
  • Provide high-quality financial insight to support investment, resourcing, and prioritisation decisions at programme level.
• Financial Governance & Control
  • Ensure full compliance with UKFE and UKAEA Group financial policies, delegations, and sponsor requirements.
  • Oversee inter-company transactions and corporate allocations, maintaining transparency, reconciliation, and integrity.
  • Maintain effective financial control frameworks within assigned IPTs, aligned to accounting standards and government finance frameworks.
  • Provide assurance to the Head of Finance and Group Finance on financial accuracy and governance compliance.
• Business Partnering & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Act as a senior finance partner to Programme Directors, IPT Leads, and Control Account Managers.
  • Influence decision-making through authoritative advice on cost management, risk mitigation, and investment priorities.
  • Build strong relationships with UKAEA Group Finance, Procurement, and corporate functions to ensure joined-up delivery.
  • Represent Finance at programme boards, steering groups, and audit forums.
• Reporting & Insight
  • Lead the production of timely and accurate financial reports and dashboards, including clear narrative on variances, trends, and delivery impacts.
  • Provide actionable insight to senior stakeholders to support performance management and decision-making.
  • Oversee integrity of financial data flows between ERP systems, Power BI dashboards, and group reporting tools.
• Audit & Assurance
  • Lead audit preparation and responses across IPTs and programmes.
  • Coordinate implementation of audit recommendations and maintain continuous audit readiness.
  • Provide assurance to senior management and Group Finance on the strength of financial controls and reporting.
• People & Capability Development
  • Provide oversight, guidance, and mentoring to finance colleagues supporting IPT delivery.
  • Promote best practice in finance business partnering and continuous improvement.
  • Contribute to the development of the finance community across UKFE.
• Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement
  • Drive improvements to finance processes, systems, and reporting across assigned areas.
  • Ensure alignment with UKFE and UKAEA group standards, policies, and best practice.
  • Share lessons learned and insights to enhance financial capability and efficiency as UKIFS evolves.
• Leadership & Culture
  • Embody a strong leadership mindset, acting as a role model for UKFE’s values and behaviours.
  • Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful working environment.
  • Act with integrity, professionalism, and ethical judgement in all interactions.
  • Provide support on ad hoc projects aligned with UKFE priorities and governance standards.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree (or equivalent) in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business.
• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience.
• Working knowledge of IFRS and FReM rules and guidance.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, accounting standards, and government finance frameworks.
• Proven ability to provide authoritative financial challenge and advice at senior-management level.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility with senior stakeholders.
• Experience of managing multi-year, multi-million-pound government or commercial projects and associated accounting, costing, and forecasting activities, with an understanding of project controls and delivery processes.
• Understanding of the principles of revenue recognition and lease accounting for both capital and operational activities.
• Experience of audits relating to major contracts and projects/programmes.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, SUMIF formulas, etc.).
• Able to work to challenging timescales while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Beneficial:

• Experience of working within or alongside a government-funded or Arm’s-Length Body environment, managing complex inter-organisational financial relationships.
• Advanced analytical and reporting skills, including use of ERP systems and Power BI tools.
• Knowledge of HM Treasury Green Book and Better Business Cases methodology.
• Experience of managing or mentoring finance professionals.
• Knowledge of NEC contract management and capital programme accounting.

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British 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. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.