UK Research & InnovationSalary: £46,743 per annum Band: UKRI Band EContract Type: Open ended Hours: Full-time (flexible working available)Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available (Min 2 days per week in the office)Closing Date: 26th April 2026About the roleTwo great opportunities have arisen to join UKRIs Strategic Financial Planning and Reporting Team responsible for strategic financial planning, analysis, financial management and reporting. The team works across the nine Councils and the Corporate Hub to deliver strategic insights and decision support tools to senior decision makers in the organisation.These are critical roles in a dynamic and fast paced environment suited to an ambitious and driven individual with a strong commitment to the provision of high-quality financial information and to continuous improvement.Working at the heart of this team you will have primary responsibility for supporting the Planning and Reporting Leads in: Delivery of multiyear planning and reporting Enhancing the current planning and reporting models and embedding the reporting cycle for UKRI Transitioning the Strategic Financial Planning and Reporting from current manual processes and collation of data to a single integrated system-based solution harnessing the opportunity presented by the introduction of Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications and complementary reporting systems and tools.This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual to help develop the role, assist with the introduction of new methods of data analysis utilising systems such as Oracle Fusion EPM, Power BI and Databank, and input into shaping the role and work of the team.The successful candidate will need to build and maintain strong relationships with Finance Business Partners and the UKRI Finance Data & Systems team and will involve working across the breath of UKRI including with the Strategy team, Analysts and DSIT who all use elements of UKRI financial reporting to inform policy development, operational decision making and setting organisational KPIs and metrics.You will have a pivotal role in maintaining a good relationship between UKRIs Strategic Financial Planning and Reporting Team and DSITs Finance Business Partnering team in what is a dynamic and fast paced environment.The right individual will also have the opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge of the technical aspects of government finance including budgeting rules, managing public money, delegations and understanding and responsibility for the allocations process.Your responsibilities:Primary: Manage the monthly production of the UKRI in-year management accounts Manage the production of the high-quality quarterly / bi-monthly UKRI future year forecast this will include setting out the guidance for data collection, teasing out assumptions used by finance business partners, quality-assuring the returns and summarising findings. Review and challenge the forecasts for in-year or multi-year submitted by the councils, analysing the risks and opportunities for UKRI identified throughout the individual business areas Having a strong understanding of the financial risks, pressures and opportunities both in year and in future years to ensure effective financial decision-making in these areas Be able to present and summarise information clearly, adapting the style and method of reporting used for different stakeholders as well as for different publications (e.g. the Annual Report and Accounts or the Operation Plan) Be a subject matter expert for the systems used to report data to DSIT, understanding and influencing the month end process Maintain and develop the UKRI consolidation reporting model, implementing improvements and controls to ensure the process is efficient and errors are minimised Work with key stakeholders in Strategy to identify reporting improvements, ensuring the UKRI reporting captures and focuses on the key spend activities Work with the finance business partner community to enhance monthly commentary, working with DSIT to embed a process to remove duplication and ensure effective communication Developing, managing and maintaining strong working relationships with key stakeholders in the finance business areas Ensure communication remains open and regular with the business partners, so that all parties are aware of their responsibilities relating to month end, budgets, forecasts and any papers Build a strong understanding of the various entities to provide effective challenge and support when reviewing the monthly forecasts received via the EPM submission made by each council.Other Responsibilities: Build and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, such as the NAO, DSIT and GIAA, developing and influencing a strong network to facilitate effective working relationships. Act as a key liaison point between DSIT and UKRI finance Manage budgets held within EPM, ensuring that they are aligned with the allocation letters, following any in year changes and managing the annual budget profile process Management and co-ordination of regular and ad hoc commissions from DSIT, including Future Year Forecasts, and HMT Mains & Supplementary Estimates. Gain a strong understanding of the delegation process, understanding the specific budgetary ringfences and controls UKRI is required to adhere to Ensure that there is adequate cover in the team, providing support in the allocation process Deputise for the Planning and Reporting Leads as and when required.Personal Specification The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).Essential Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA) or Equivalent experience (S) The ability to adapt to changing priorities, a \"can-do\" attitude, and a willingness to support colleagues across the Strategic Financial Planning and Reporting Team (I) The ability to take initiatives, plan and progress tasks independently (S&I) Strong management accounting, budgeting & forecasting experience and a particularly strong knowledge of MS Excel including modelling and controls (S&I) Clear, demonstrable relationship management and influencing skills, with ability to instil confidence within stakeholders (I) Personal resilience approach to solve issues in short timescales (I) Aptitude for and application of continuous improvement, ability to innovate and challenge and to offer insights and ideas with practical application (I) Good organisational skills, ability to deliver at pace and meeting changing priorities to time, whilst retaining accuracy (S&I)BenefitsWe 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.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:Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)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 visithttps://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact .JBRP1_UKTJ