Senior Finance Business Partner

Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Job Info

• Job Category Finance
• Apply Before 03/22/2026, 11:55 PM
• Job Identification 2054
• Posting Date 03/06/2026, 02:12 PM
• Job Shift Day
• Hours Full Time/ Part Time

Job Description

Salary: £58,589 per annum

Band: UKRI Band F

Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)

Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available (Min 2 days per week in the office).

Closing Date: 22nd March 2026

About the role

Provide dedicated finance expertise, insight and business collaboration to STFC Programmes Directorate, working closely with stakeholders to add financial awareness to decision making, and deliver outcomes that are in line with Council and UKRI priorities.

Key Areas of Accountability

• Lead, develop and motivate a team to deliver high standards of service across several complex business areas or programmes
• Member of STFC FSLT.
• Develop exceptional collective relationships with senior managers and key collaborators.
• Support Executive Director Programmes Directorate with in-year reporting, forecasting and multi-year planning.
• Recognised authority on accounting and finance for programmes directorate.

Your responsibilities:

• Responsible for consolidation and reporting of PD actuals, forecasts and budgets.
• Link the business to budgets, delivery plans and business cases to underpin reliability of financial data and projections. Represent STFC/UKRI Finance on relevant project boards and oversight committees
• Present insightful information and analysis to support effective strategic decision-making.
• Develop the Programme 10-year plan to inform strategic decisions, using strong business awareness to support effective longer-term decision-making and deliver outcomes in line with strategic priorities.
• Ownership and accountability for annual and multi-year budget setting cycles.
• Accountability and direction in the development of the finance case within reasons, and input and shape the direction of the other cases.
• Accountable for ensuring compliance with internal financial, DSIT and HMG controls within assigned business areas, cases.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

• Qualified accountant or QBE (S).
• Well-developed team management, organizational and motivational skills (I).
• Effective interpersonal & influencing skills. Able to build unquestioning relationships internally and externally at all levels (I).
• Experience of working strategically to balance the conflicting demands of multiple stakeholders whilst protecting the integrity and ownership of financial processes (S&I).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to present financial information effectively to non-finance staff (S&I).
• High level competency of IT systems and applications including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, with a focus on strong Excel skills (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 (I).
• Strong experience of working as part of a wider-business, consulting with senior stakeholders, utilising an in-depth understanding of business priorities, and effectively collaborating with stakeholders to meet organisational and financial objectives (S&I).
• Proven experience in the preparation of multi-year financial plans and associated budgets and forecasts (S&I).

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. UKRI are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• 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.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit or contact .

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.