Group Financial Controller

Swindon or London, however there is flexibility for hybrid working in line with business need

As the financial controller at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), you’ll be a senior leader reporting directly to the finance director. Your role involves overseeing financial reporting, maintaining a robust financial control framework, and managing UK Shared Business Services (UK SBS) finance service performance. You’ll ensure high standards of financial reporting and control throughout the organisation, including attending the UKRI Audit Committee and leading a dedicated Financial Accounting and Control Team. Your responsibilities also include producing accurate annual reports, collaborating with external partners, and supporting the accounting officer’s duties.

In this role, you’ll gather financial information and insights to build a clear picture of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Your duties will also include making sure reports for UKRI and related groups are prepared and delivered on time. This involves managing project schedules, overseeing audits, and leading key working groups. You’ll be responsible for overseeing the finance services provided by UK Shared Business Services (UK SBS), advocating for improvements and working closely with them. Your expertise in offering professional financial advice and identifying risks will be crucial for guiding senior management decisions. 

Following the latest guidelines and best practices, you’ll supervise budgeting and reporting processes. By collaborating with finance leaders, you’ll contribute to planning the organisation’s financial future. You’ll interact with senior managers across the organisation, building trust through consistent professionalism and expert knowledge. Building stronger connections with Shared Services to improve efficiency will also be part of your role. 

As a leader, you’ll motivate and guide a skilled finance team in a changing environment. Your involvement will extend to the National Audit Office (NAO) and Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA), fostering positive relationships with these entities. You’ll serve as an advisor to UKRI’s Audit, Risk, and Assurance Committee, offering your financial insights. Working with Finance Business Partnering teams, you’ll aim to deliver high-quality financial services. 

Additionally, you’ll help strengthen internal controls by identifying and implementing best practices to manage financial risk effectively. Your versatile role will significantly impact the organisation’s financial landscape and its ability to achieve strategic goals. 

Key Dimensions  

• Reports to the UKRI finance director 
• Line management of circa 22 financial control staff, with 4 direct reports 

We understand that individuals might hesitate to submit a job application if they don’t meet all the criteria. If you’re enthusiastic about joining our organisation and possess a majority of the skills or experience, we encourage you to proceed with your application. We’d love to hear from you!  

The successful candidate should demonstrate strong leadership skills to inspire and develop teams and excel in building relationships both within and outside the organisation. You should simplify complex financial matters for non-financial staff and instil confidence. Adaptability to work across various parts of the organisation is key. You should possess solid technical financial skills gained sophisticated environments, including experience with integrated financial ledger systems. Your ability to make informed business decisions based on information and problem-solving is well-established. Qualifications such as ACA / ACCA / CIMA / CIPFA or equivalent are required.  

Understanding public sector finance requirements and international financial reporting standards and experience in leading change and implementing systems are desirable. 

Additionally, at interview stage, you should demonstrate strategic insight, offer financial solutions for complex problems, and demonstrate extensive experience leading financial and management accounting functions in complex organisations. Building strong relationships internally and externally is crucial. Leading, developing, and motivating financial teams, efficiently handling resources, and adapting to changing workloads are critical skills required.  

For the full list of responsibilities and requirements, please visit the full role details on our Careers Portal.  

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.

This role has a minimum assignment duration of six months. An assignment duration
is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them
to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through
building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above.
This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions.
Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and
conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your
personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any
absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you
to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.
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Job contact :

• Name : Senior Recruitment Team
• Email : SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org