Construction Finance Business Partner

Ellison Institute of Technology; Oxford; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in Oxford seeks a Finance Business Partner to support major capital projects in the construction sector. The role includes financial leadership, strategic planning, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate has a strong background in finance and significant experience within the construction or real estate sector, with excellent analytical and communication skills.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Travel allowance

Enhanced holiday pay

Pension

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Private Medical Insurance

Hospital Cash Plan

Therapy Services

Perk Box

Electric Car Scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior finance role within the construction or real estate sector.
• Proven track record in financial control, budgeting, and project accounting.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of monthly management accounts and financial statements for construction projects.
• Drive budgeting and forecasting processes aligned with project timelines and business goals.
• Ensure adherence to financial regulations, internal controls, and audit requirements.

Skills

Financial control

Budgeting

Analytical skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Advanced Excel

Education

ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified accountant

Tools

Oracle Fusion

Job description

About EIT:

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity’s most challenging problems.

EIT will ensure scientific discoveries and pioneering science are turned into products for the benefit of society that can have high-impact worldwide and, over time, be commercialised to ensure long-term sustainability.

Led by a faculty of world experts, EIT seeks to solve the world’s most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: health and medical science; food security and sustainable agriculture; climate change and clean energy; and artificial intelligence & robotics.

EIT is investing significant resources in a new world-class research and development facility in the Oxford Science Park. Set for completion in 2027, the state-of-the-art campus includes 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and educational and meeting spaces. Together, they create the perfect environment for EIT experts to take ground-breaking ideas from research to broad implementation. The new facility will further EIT’s current partnership with the University of Oxford and become the new home for Ellison Scholars.

EIT is committed to cultivating a community where excellence is achieved through collaboration, trust, innovation and tenacity. We foster an environment where everyone’s experience and expertise are valued. We are curious and resilient in our efforts to drive long-term, sustainable innovation to meet humanity’s most enduring challenges.

EIT is seeking a commercially astute and detail-orientedFinance Business Partnerwith significant experience in theconstruction sectorto be the finance lead supporting our major capital projects. This role will provide financial control, planning, reporting and compliance for construction activities, ensuring robust project cost management and strategic financial insight. The successful candidate will act as a key liaison between finance, project teams, outsourced partners and senior leadership, controlling financial performance and supporting decision-making across the construction portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Control

• Lead the preparation of monthly management accounts and financial statements for construction projects
• Ensure accurate cost tracking, variance analysis, and timely reporting to senior stakeholders
• Oversee cash flow forecasting and working capital management for construction activities

Strategic Planning & Analysis

• Drive budgeting and forecasting processes aligned with project timelines and business goals
• Provide financial modelling and scenario analysis to support strategic decisions
• Partner with project managers to evaluate financial performance and optimise outcomes

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to financial regulations, internal controls, and audit requirements
• Lead preparation for internal and external audits related to construction finance
• Identify and mitigate financial risks across the construction portfolio

Process Improvement & Systems

• Champion continuous improvement in financial systems, processes, and reporting tools
• Support the implementation and optimisation of ERP and planning platforms (e.g., Oracle Fusion)

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and project teams
• Manage relationships and information flows with 3rd party outsource partners
• Communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align financial strategies with operational goals

Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified accountant
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior finance role within theconstruction or real estate sector
• Proven track record in financial control, budgeting, and project accounting
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial systems (Oracle Fusion preferred)

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Experience in life sciences, healthcare, or R&D environments
• Familiarity with capital project accounting and large-scale infrastructure programmes

We offer the following salary and benefits:

• Competitive salary depending on experience + travel allowance + benefits
• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Terms of Appointment:

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
• During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.