Senior Finance Business Partner - Research & Innovation

University of Leeds; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Leeds seeks a Senior Finance Business Partner to enhance financial planning and strategic decision-making within its Research & Innovation Service. The role requires a CCAB qualification and strong business partnering skills to support leadership in financial matters impacting academic and research objectives.

Benefits

26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays

Generous pension scheme with 14.5% contribution

Discounted gym membership with additional health benefits

Access to personal development courses

On-site childcare and shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in business partnering and senior-level management accounting.
• Strong line management experience is required.
• Ability to develop networks and influence outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement detailed financial plans.
• Support effective planning and informed decision-making.
• Provide financial guidance to senior research and innovation leadership.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Education

CCAB qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)

Job description

Senior Finance Business Partner - Research & Innovation

This role will be based on the university campus with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Do you want to directly support the achievement of the University ’s strategic objectives, helping to balance academic and financial considerations? Are you passionate about being a strategic business partner? Can you deliver clear financial insights and strategic advice to inform investment decisions? Can you bring leadership with outstanding service and deliver in a fast paced, complex and challenging but rewarding environment?

The University of Leeds is one of the top 80 universities in the world. We have a truly global community, with more than 39,000 students from 170 different countries and over 9,000 staff of 100 different nationalities. Established in 1904, we have a strong tradition of academic excellence, reflected in first-class student education, along with world-leading research that has a real impact around the globe.

As an experienced business partner, you will develop and implement detailed and robust financial plans and be able to understand and interpret complex financial information. You will require excellent communication skills with a proactive and engaging manner, combined with experience to develop networks and influence outcomes.

Working closely with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation Service and the senior Research & Innovation leadership team, you will support effective planning, informed decision-making, and the identification of strategic opportunities. This includes contributing to the development and execution of research strategies across the organisation, ensuring alignment with the broader university priorities and planning frameworks.

In this role, working within the Research and Innovation Service, offering financial guidance and support to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Executive Director of Business Engagement & Enterprise, and the senior leadership team in strategically important areas, including Intellectual Property Commercialisation, regional and civic development initiatives that drive income/funding, and innovative programmes such as Innovative Entrepreneurs.

With a CCAB (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) qualification and/or extensive business partnering and senior level management accounting skills and experience, you will have strong line management experience, strong interpersonal skills, resilience, and the ability to build credibility and trust with a wide range of people.

This post is within the University Finance Service; it is located in the Research and Innovation Service. However, should the business need arise, and after full consultation with you, you may be deployed elsewhere within the Finance Service.

What we offer in return:

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Mark Gray, Director of Finance, Financial Planning & Analysis