Finance Business Partner - UKRI Critical Technologies in Swindon

Salary: £46,743 per annum

Band: UKRI Band E

Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)

Hours: Full-time / Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available (Min 2 days per week in the office)

Closing Date: 22nd April 2026

About the role

Reporting to the EPSRC Critical Technologies Strategic Finance Business Partner, the role is to provide a comprehensive financial business partnering service to the Industrial Strategy Critical Technology programme. This role involves performing a range of Financial Management reporting and control functions and encompasses management and support of Programme and some Opex activities.

Your responsibilities

• Leadership / teamwork / collaboration
  • Build & maintain good working relationships with colleagues & partners across Finance (Finance Business Partners, central Financial Planning and Reporting) and non-Finance (Strategy, Policy, Operations, HR) areas, and subsequently provide suitable input and advice in a format targeted to the relevant audience.
  • Support Programme Managers and Senior Leadership Teams to effectively manage their budgets through the provision of timely, accurate and complete financial information, advice, support and constructive challenge.
  • Understand the linkages and dependencies between the different Operating Units 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 Industrial Strategy programmes and promoting a culture of teamwork.
  • To deputise for the Strategic Finance Business Partner, if and when required.
• Delivery / programmes / projects / process
  • Ensuring delivery of robust and informative reporting to the Programme Board and Senior Responsible Officer.
  • Support on the writing of, and reviewing of, Business Cases for the new Critical Technology workstreams.
  • Perform a range of reporting and control functions, positioning Finance to work with the business and link budgets to delivery plans and business cases.
  • Help deliver the Critical Technology programme budgets, working collaboratively across internal partners and stakeholders to align with the collective targets and deliverables.
  • Work with the budget holders to advise on Opex budgets, delivering financial advice and support on finances during the year for those budget holders.
  • 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 Operating Unit/UKRI priorities.
  • Manage annual and multi-year budget setting and forecasting cycles.
  • Ensure compliance with internal financial, DSIT and HMG controls within assigned business areas.

Other

This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main duties and responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role in conjunction with their line manager. The post holder may be asked to carry out any other delegated duty or task that is in line with the post.

Personal Specification

Essential Qualifications

Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA), actively working towards qualification, or equivalent experience (QBE).

Experience & knowledge

• Strong understanding of accounting and finance and demonstrable experience of working in delivering effective financial management & reporting.
• 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.

Skills & abilities

• Ability to build relationships with senior partners and influence them with impact and professional credibility.
• Strong experience of developing effective working partnerships and offering challenges where necessary to senior decision‑making groups.
• Line management and leadership skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Personal resilience and a confident approach, willing to apply good judgement to solve issues and find solutions independently.
• Highly developed team working skills, able to form effective working relationships quickly.
• Ability to respond calmly under pressure and to make impartial and well‑considered judgments in complex situations.
• Good organisational skills, able to manage and prioritise own and others' workloads and meet deadlines in a very timely manner.
• Flexible in nature and able to work on several differing priorities at once.

Benefits

• 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.

Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.