Senior Finance Business Partner - BBSRC

UK Research and Innovation; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK research organization is seeking a Senior Finance Business Partner to provide strategic financial leadership and support the BBSRC Strategic Delivery Plan. This role involves collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and requires strong accounting and leadership skills. The position offers a hybrid work environment with competitive benefits including a defined benefit pension scheme and generous leave policies.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension scheme

30 days annual leave

Employee discounts

Employee assistance programme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant or equivalent experience.
• Experience in leadership and team management.
• Strong communication skills for stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to analyze complex financial issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level financial leadership.
• Support financial planning and reporting.
• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Deliver high-quality service to external partners.

Skills

Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA)

Leadership skills

Interpersonal skills

Strategic financial thinking

IT competency including MS Excel

Financial management experience

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

PowerPoint

MS Access

Job description

Senior Finance Business Partner - BBSRC

£56,745 gross per annum

UKRI Band F

Full Time

Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid Working)

Closing date: 11th August 2025

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and proactive individual to join our team as a Senior Finance Business Partner. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to play a key role in supporting the BBSRC Strategic Delivery Plan. Additionally, they will drive transformational changes within the BBSRC Finance Business Partner team and wider UKRI Finance environment, leveraging new operating systems to support the overarching UKRI Strategy.

The main purpose of this role is to provide senior-level leadership and technical financial expertise to support the business. You will ensure that external stakeholders including Institute Management and Professional Partnersreceive high-quality service, oversee all assurance processes and support the Head of Finance on longer term financial planning and reporting.

About you

We are seeking candidates with proven experience of working within a complex operational environment, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including Senior Management and Professional Advisors.

The role involves close collaboration with many staff across the UKRI business, including strategically funded BBSRC Institutes, to provide robust support, advice and guidance on finance related matters. We are looking for an individual with strong communication skills, both verbal and written, as the role requires regular engagement with a wide range of external stakeholders at senior and operational levels.

The essential and additional desirable skills criteria required for this post will be assessed during both the Shortlisting (S) and Interview (I) stages.

(S) – Shortlisting Criteria (I) – Interview Criteria

Essential

·Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA), or equivalent experience (QBE). (S&I)

·Well-developed leadership, team management, organisational and motivational skills. (S&I)

·Effective interpersonal and influencing skills. (S&I)

·Ability to take a strategic view of financial issues. (S&I)

·Ability to build trusting relationships with internal and external stakeholders, at all levels of an organisation and influence them with impact and professional credibility.(S&I)

·Experience of working strategically to balance the conflicting demands of multiple stakeholders whilst protecting the integrity and ownership of financial processes. (S&I)

·High level competency of IT systems and applications including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, with a focus on strong Excel skills. (S&I)

·Ability to provide insightful analysis on complex issues, communicating the key elements to effectively deliver projects and influence decision making at a strategic level. (S&I)

·Experience of financial management and management reporting for complex organisations.(S&I)

To view the full job description please click apply and visit our careers page

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees’ development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below;

• 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

Please click here for more details on theBenefits of working for UKRI – UKRI

How to Apply

Applicants are required to provide an up-to-date CV and a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role. Further information on how to apply is listed on our careers page.