Finance Business Partner

innovateuk; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovate UK, Swindon-based, is hiring a Finance Business Partner on a fixed-term basis. The role offers a salary of £46,743 gross per year with hybrid working and 2 days per week in the office.

You will partner with Programme Managers and senior teams, delivering timely financial information to support decision-making and driving efficiency across UKRI and Innovate UK priorities.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant with ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA, or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of accounting and finance.
• Very good IT skills, including advanced spreadsheet proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues and partners and provide input and advice.
• Support Programme Managers and Senior Leadership Teams to effectively manage their programmes through the provision of timely, accurate and complete financial information, advice, and constructive challenge.
• To deputise for the Senior Finance Business Partner on a range of issues, if and when required.
• Understand the linkages and dependencies across UKRI Councils and UKRI's sponsor department, working collaboratively with Finance Business Partners and colleagues across UKRI to identify opportunities for improvement, transformation and efficiency within Finance.
• Position Finance to link budgets to delivery plans and business cases, and strengthen internal controls and financial reporting.

Skills

ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA

Accounting & Finance

IT skills

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA)

Job description

Title: Finance Business Partner

Band: UKRI Band E (UKRI Ts & Cs)

Salary: £46,743 gross per annum

Reports to: Senior Finance Business Partner

Location: Swindon (Min 2-days per week in the office)

Contract: Fixed Term (12 Months)

Vacancy will close on the 11th October 2026 at 23:59pm.

Context:

This role is in Tier 2, with 40-60% of working time typically spent either at a UKRI site or engaging with external businesses and stakeholders across the UK. Outside of this requirement, you can work from home. Whilst this role will be formally based at one of the following UKRI sites, it is externally facing, and we expect that there will be requirement to travel around the UK for 2/3 days each week on average.

Job Purpose:

Provide dedicated finance expertise, insight, reporting and business partnering to Innovate UK, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to inform decision-making, enhance financial awareness, and deliver outcomes aligned with Innovate UK and UKRI priorities.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues and partners and provide input and advice.
• Support Programme Managers and Senior Leadership Teams to effectively manage their programmes through the provision of timely, accurate and complete financial information, advice, and constructive challenge.
• To deputise for the Senior Finance Business Partner on a range of issues, if and when required.
• Understand the linkages and dependencies across UKRI Councils and UKRI's sponsor department, working collaboratively with Finance Business Partners and colleagues across UKRI to identify opportunities for improvement, transformation and efficiency within Finance. Support the strengthening of internal controls, financial reporting and analysis, and the effective management of programmes, while promoting a culture of collaboration and teamwork.

Role deliverables

• Perform a range of reporting and control functions, positioning Finance to work with the business and link budgets to delivery plans and business cases.
• 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 Innovate UK and 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.
• Manage applications for additional budget cover.

This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training.

Shortlisting criteria

• (S) - Assessed at shortlisting
• (I) - Assessed at interview
• (S&I) - Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

Person Specification:

Experience & Qualifications:

• - Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA), actively working or willing to work towards qualification, or equivalent experience (QBE) (S).
• - Strong understanding of accounting and finance and demonstrable experience of working in a similar role (S).
• - Very good IT skills, including good knowl