Finance Director (MRC & EPSRC)

UK Research and Innovation

Salary: £91,943 to £99,000 per annum (dependent on skills and experience). 
Hours: Full time (37 hours)
Contract Type: Two-year fixed term appointment, or secondment, with the potential to transition to a permanent role once the future finance operating model is confirmed following ongoing system and data changes.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - hybrid working available with semi-frequent travel to London and other sites.
Closing: Monday 5 May 2025 (23:59)
Interview: Expected to be held in person on Friday 23 May 2025. Please note that the interview may include a presentation as part of the assessment process. In addition, shortlisted candidates may be invited to a follow-up discussion with the UKRI Finance Director.

About the Role

This high-profile role offers the opportunity to provide expert financial management support to the Executive Chairs of the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). These Councils fund cutting-edge research to prevent illness, develop therapies, and improve human health (MRC), and create knowledge in engineering and physical sciences to benefit society and the economy (EPSRC). You will play a key role at the forefront of two of the nine Research Councils within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), supporting a combined budget of over £2bn.  

You will be responsible for enabling the strategic, efficient, and effective deployment of funding to meet the Councils’ objectives, ensuring sound governance, and compliance with financial standards, policies, and procedures. This will involve supporting the UKRI Chief Executive as Accounting Officer, safeguarding public funds, and protecting the Councils' financial integrity.  

The role requires substantial senior-level experience in accountancy or finance, along with exceptional diplomatic and influencing skills, and the ability to evaluate and communicate complex financial issues. As a member of the Councils' Senior Leadership Teams (SLTs) and an active participant in advisory Councils, you will contribute to high-level decision-making and strategy.  

You will also lead and inspire a team of 21 finance professionals through a period of significant change, including the transition to a new cloud system. This will involve guiding your team and the wider finance department through the changes, driving the development of a new operating model, and finding efficiencies in processes using the new tools available.  

Reporting to the UKRI Deputy Finance Director, you will be accountable to the UKRI Finance Director for ensuring effective financial management across Council finances. This includes, ensuring Councils deliver within budget, forecast accurately, and implement a robust Finance Business Partner model. As a key member of the Finance Senior Leadership Team, you will take the lead on managing key financial risks and safeguarding public money. You may also be tasked with corporate responsibilities, including serving as a subject matter expert in a specific technical area or contributing to the development of UKRI Corporate Services.  

You will provide strategic financial analysis and advice to the Executive Chairs of MRC and EPSRC, helping them manage their finances effectively and drive the execution of key Council programmes. 

Key Accountabilities

Leadership / Teamwork / Collaboration: 

• Collaborating closely with Exec Chairs and senior teams to ensure the effective management of the Council’s finances and advising on complex financial issues to maximise the effectiveness of Council funding.  
• Build robust and strong relationships with senior stakeholders within the Councils’ communities, such as institutes and centres, and wider UKRI functions and portfolio to ensure effective stewardship of UKRI funding  
• Demonstrating and modelling a personal commitment to UKRIs strategy and finance’s vision, mission, values and strategic objectives 
• Leading the effective delivery of a high performing Finance service, through the further development of the Finance Business Partnering function, ensuring that the high standards within the team are developed and maintained 
• Leading the team, and wider finance, through the embedding of our new systems and the introduction of revised ways of working and processes that those systems enable. Building a culture of one finance, across finance teams, including role-modelling close collaboration with the strategic finance, management reporting, and financial control teams.  
• Actively managing three direct reports, ensuring that PDRs, probationary meetings (where applicable) and regular one-to-one meetings take place to develop the skills and behaviours of the Finance team. Ensuring high line management standards within the whole team including active talent management, in collaboration with SLT colleagues, and succession planning. 
• Playing an active role in UKRI’s senior finance team, led by the UKRI Finance Director.  Being a highly visible ambassador for the function, and leading cross-cutting workstreams (e.g. within the finance function’s transformation programme) 

Delivery / Programmes / Projects / Process:

• Providing strategic financial analysis and advice in support of Council decision making, supporting performance and continuous improvement in support of Councils’ objectives, working closely with the Chief Operating Officers, Executive Chairs, and other Executive Board colleagues 
• Accountable for supporting budget holders in the delivery of a financial outturn consistent with Councils’ budget allocation, working closely with the Executive Team 
• Developing and maintaining a long-term planning view for Councils that is fully aligned with broader UKRI and DSIT priorities 
• Senior finance representative on major programme boards; providing advice and guidance on the creation and subsequent delivery of robust, achievable project and programme business cases, including financial sign-off of cases requiring UKRI investment committee approval 
• Ensuring sound governance and compliance with financial standards, policies and procedures; ensuring MPM and AO considerations are fully taken into account, working closely with Council and UKRI Governance, Risk and Assurance teams, UKRI Financial Controller, and senior Council colleagues 
• Supporting the UKRI Finance Director, by acting as the Finance lead on a range of different organisational projects and responsibilities  

Your skills, qualifications and experience  

We understand that individuals might hesitate to submit an application if they don't meet each of the criteria. Whilst there are lead criteria for this role, if you're enthusiastic about joining our organisation and meet most of the skills or experience required, we still encourage you to apply.  We value diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, and believe they enhance our work environment, and we actively welcome applications from a wide range of candidates. 

Candidates will be assessed against the following criteria throughout the recruitment process: 

Essential:  

• CCAB/CIMA Qualified Accountant with current membership (Lead Criteria)
• Proven ability to lead a significant portfolio, demonstrating strong teamwork, development, and collaboration skills (Lead Criteria)
• Excellent communication, relationship building and influencing skills, with the resilience to navigate complex challenges 
• Capable of operating at a strategic level, demonstrate clear strategic vision and making a substantial contribution to corporate plans and decision making 
• Experience in leading teams through change, focusing on achieving results, continuous improvement, and managing ambiguity  
• Strong capability to balance the conflicting demands from multiple stakeholders whilst protecting the integrity of key financial processes and the Accounting Officer position 

 Desirable:  

• Experience of public sector accounting, budgeting and controls (e.g. Managing public money requirements)  

Please visit the "How to apply" section below for further information.