Job Description

Senior Finance Business Partner - BBSRC

Salary:

56,745 per annum

Hours:

Full time

Contract Type:

Open Ended

Location:

Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (Hybrid Working)

Closing Date: 11th August 2025

About the role

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 Partners receive high-quality service, oversee all assurance processes and support the Head of Finance on longer term financial planning and reporting.


Within our collaborative team environment, you will have the ideal platform to develop your leadership skills and deliver meaningful outcomes. The experience and expertise you gain in this role will be invaluable for advancing your career.


This role will be pivotal in driving forward our change activity and supporting how BBSRC delivers its services to the wider UKRI business. The role also offers exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to contribute to multi-disciplinary projects of strategic significance.

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.

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) Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present financial information effectively to non-finance staff. (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)

Desirable

Working knowledge across a wide spectrum of accounting software, e.g., Oracle. (S&I) Experience of using Data and Analytical Software to interrogate large datasets. (S&I) Knowledge of Government Accounting Standards and Managing Public Money rules. (S&I) Experience of writing, or participating in the development of, business cases, particularly the financial cases. (S&I) Strong focus on proactivity, positive solutions, and continuous improvement. (S&I)

About The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is a major funder of world-leading bioscience in the UK. Through our investments, we build and support a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive community which delivers ground-breaking discoveries and develops bio-based solutions that contribute to tackling global challenges, such as sustainable food production, climate change, and healthy ageing.


As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we not only play a pivotal role in fostering connections that enable the UK's world-class research and innovation system to flourish - we also have a responsibility to enable the creation of a research culture that is diverse, resilient, and engaged. BBSRC proudly forges interdisciplinary collaborations where excellent bioscience has a fundamental role


We strive to promote equality and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational efficiency. As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about science and who share our dedication to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society.

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

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Benefits of working for UKRI - UKRI