At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide finance expertise and partner with stakeholders to enhance decision-making.
- Company: Join a leading research organisation in a collaborative environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, London allowance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career advancement in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial management in a dynamic research setting.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with strong finance and reporting experience.
The predicted salary is between 46164 - 53418 £ per year.
Salary £46,164 – £53,418 plus London Allowance (£5,560). 1 Year fixed‑term (Sabbatical Cover). Full Time. Location: Hammersmith, London. Closing Date: 28 June.
Purpose of the Post
Provide dedicated finance expertise, insight and business partnering to UKRI-MRC, working closely with stakeholders to add financial awareness to decision making and deliver outcomes that are in line with Council and UKRI priorities.
Key Skills
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Provide insight and advice to promote and support the effective financial management of programmes.
- Support effective longer‑term decision‑making and deliver outcomes in line with Council/UKRI priorities.
- Understand the dependencies, challenges and opportunities across the different funding streams available to LMS.
- Identify and realise opportunities for improvement, change and efficiency within Finance, strengthening internal controls & financial analysis and streamlining processes.
- Promote a culture of teamwork, supporting Finance colleagues to deliver effectively for stakeholders.
- Work with colleagues to ensure the Finance team provides relevant and accurate financial information, advice and constructive challenge.
- Deputise for Head of Finance as required.
- Support the Finance team to deliver effective financial support and partnering.
- Work with direct reports to focus on ‘value‑add’ activity.
- Understand the regulations, opportunities and limits of all relevant funding streams and ensure income and expenditure is accounted for & reported accurately and appropriately.
- Ensure compliance with UKRI, BEIS and HMG financial controls.
- Be responsible for internal & external reporting, from monthly management accounts to UKRI corporate returns.
- Have oversight of grant applications and reporting, working collaboratively with Imperial College London colleagues.
- Review and approve / sign‑off monthly reporting activities/processes, including journals, expenses, requisitions and recharge calculations.
- Lead on asset verification, capitalisation and reporting.
- Work with senior stakeholders to prepare and maintain business plans and business cases.
Person Requirements
Education / Qualifications / Training required
Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA).
Knowledge and Experience (will be assessed from the application form and at the interview)
Essential Knowledge and Experience
- Strong understanding of accounting and finance and demonstrable experience of delivering effective financial management & reporting.
- Extensive experience of financial modelling & controls.
- Demonstrable experience of month‑and‑year‑end financial processes.
- Demonstrable experience of working as a valued business partner, enabling the delivery of organisational objectives through supporting others.
- Experience in providing high‑quality written / oral advice, appropriate to senior level decision‑makers.
- Proven experience in the preparation of complex budgets, forecasts and financial plans.
- Familiarity with the role of governance, risk management and assurance in project delivery.
Desirable Knowledge and Experience
- Knowledge of UK Government / Research Council / University sector financial management, including grant management.
- Experience with Oracle IT system.
- Experience of processes involved in IT system implementations.
- An understanding of FEC or TRAC costing methodology.
Personal Skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview)
Essential Personal Skills
- Ability to quickly build relationships with senior stakeholders and influence them with impact.
- Ability to become a credible partner, with confidence to challenge any level of decision‑maker.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Good IT skills, including excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
- Personal resilience and a confident approach, able to proactively engage with stakeholders to resolve issues.
- Ability to respond calmly under pressure and make impartial, well‑considered judgements in complex situations.
- Good organisational skills: able to manage and prioritise own and others’ workloads.
- Able to meet deadlines, but also respond to ad hoc queries in a timely manner.
Desirable Personal Skills
- Ability to lead with authenticity and support a team effectively, whilst driving & embedding change.
Finance Business Partner employer: UKRI
As a Finance Business Partner at UKRI-MRC in Hammersmith, London, you will join a dynamic and collaborative work culture that prioritises teamwork and professional growth. The organisation offers competitive salaries, including a London allowance, and fosters an environment where your financial expertise can directly influence decision-making and drive impactful outcomes. With opportunities for career development and a commitment to supporting employees, UKRI-MRC stands out as an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding work in the finance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who might know about opportunities at UKRI or similar organisations. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job openings that aren't even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for Finance Business Partner roles and practice your responses. We want you to showcase your financial expertise and ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you ace your application and connect with potential employers. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new job postings tailored to your skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Finance Business Partner role. We want to see how you can add value to our team, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Financial Expertise:Since this role requires a strong understanding of finance, be sure to include specific examples of your financial management and reporting experience. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges and delivered results in previous roles.
Communicate Clearly:Your written communication skills are key for this position, so keep your application clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can provide high-quality advice to senior decision-makers!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of all applications.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you’ll need to demonstrate your strong understanding of accounting and finance. Brush up on key financial metrics, reporting processes, and be ready to discuss your experience with financial modelling and controls. This will show that you can deliver effective financial management.
✨Build Relationships
You’ll be working closely with various stakeholders, so it’s crucial to showcase your ability to build strong working relationships. Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with others in the past, and be ready to discuss how you can influence decision-making at a senior level.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential for this role. Be prepared to provide high-quality advice to senior decision-makers. Practice articulating complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner, as this will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
The interviewers will want to see how you handle pressure and complex situations. Think of examples where you’ve had to make well-considered judgements or resolve issues proactively. Highlight your resilience and organisational skills to show that you can manage workloads and meet deadlines.
