Research Finance Business Partner

Hays PLC; London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading London-based think tank as a Research Finance Business Partner. This full-time role supports research teams with financial management, including budget preparation, project costing, and auditing, in a professional and intellectually stimulating environment. Ideal candidates are ACA/CA/ACCA/CIMA qualified accountants with strong communication and relationship-building skills. The role offers competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

29 days annual leave plus public holidays

Pension salary exchange

Employee assistance programme

Parental leave

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in business partnering and financial project management.
• Knowledge of the charity/not-for-profit sector is advantageous.
• Ability to present financial information clearly and work accurately.

Responsibilities

• Produce regular quarterly forecasts and annual budget.
• Oversee financial management of research projects and variance analysis.
• Support project costing and contribute to statutory accounts preparation.

Skills

Business partnering

Financial project management

Budgeting and forecasting

Excellent communication skills

Relationship building

Education

ACA/CA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Job description

Join a leading London-based think tank as a Research Finance Business Partner.

The Organisation

An independent think-tank based in London. Their income is derived from donations, grants, and memberships.

The Job

We are recruiting Finance Business Partners to support research teams and collaborate closely with the central finance team. In this role, you will be part of a research centre, working with budget holders and research leads to provide an effective and efficient financial service. Responsibilities include producing regular quarterly forecasts and the annual budget, supporting project costing, overseeing financial management of research projects, and providing variance analysis. You will also collaborate on the production of management accounts, support financial accruals and income recognition, and contribute to the preparation of annual statutory accounts. Additionally, you will oversee auditing processes, ensure project reporting meets funding requirements, and support the implementation of a new finance system.

The Person

We are looking for an ACA/CA/ACCA/CIMA qualified accountant with experience in business partnering, financial project management, and setting budgets and forecasts. Experience in the charity/not-for-profit sector is advantageous, as is knowledge of different funders, philanthropic foundations, government departments, international organisations, businesses, and NGOs. The ideal candidate will be able to present financial information clearly, work with accuracy and consistency, balance multiple deadlines, and have a proactive, self-motivating, and collaborative approach. Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships at all levels are essential.

What's in it for you?

The organisation offers approximately 29 days annual leave (plus public holidays, pension salary exchange, employee assistance programme, parental leave, flexible working, and other benefits designed to suit your lifestyle. All of this is provided in a professional, engaging, and intellectually stimulating environment. The salary for this role is £55,000 - £62,000 per year, dependent on experience. This is a full-time, 2-year fixed-term contract (likelihood of extension depending on funding) with a hybrid working arrangement, requiring a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. The organisation is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity.

Please apply now to be considered!

• Accounting for International Development
• Accounting for International Development