Group Financial Controller

Key Responsibilities

• combine financial information with constructive commentaries and non-financial data to produce an easily accessible and complete picture of UKRI
• accountable for timely delivery of annual reports and accounts for UKRI, Research Councils’ Pension Scheme (RCPS), IUK Loans Ltd and legacy MRC, including project management of accounts timelines and audit processes, chairing the UKRI Annual Reports & Accounts Working Group and Management Letter responses
• manage UK SBS finance service provision through scrutiny of BAU service levels, challenging UK SBS to deliver beneficial change and continuous improvement of finance service offering, this includes chairing UKRI/UK SBS partnership meetings, finance representation on the UKRI Change Request and Partnership Service Management Boards, and acting as primary point of contact for finance services in UKRI
• provide professional advice on the financial implications of decisions and highlight risks and issues as they become visible to senior management
• assure that all budgeting and reporting is follows the latest requirements in HM Treasury’s Consolidated Budgeting Guidance, Managing Public Money and represents best practice
• be an active member of the finance senior leadership team, working with the finance director and other senior colleagues to set the future strategy and plans for finance
• engage with senior managers throughout the organisation, building credibility, trust and respect through demonstrating consistent professionalism and expert knowledge in all interactions
• maintain a strong working and challenge/oversight relationship with Shared Services and work with them to deliver end-to-end operational improvements
• lead and motivate a team of finance professionals ensuring it has the skills, flexibility and agility to deliver in a changing environment
• lead the engagement and relationship with the NAO and the GIAA, building excellent working relationships, credibility and respect
• be a professional advisor to UKRI’s Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee as required
• collaborate with Finance Business Partnering teams to deliver an industry-leading financial service which supports delivery, innovation and a culture of excellence
• review, identify and embed best practice policies, processes and protocols to improve internal controls, ensuring that the organisation is able to manage financial risk effectively

Key Dimensions

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

Qualification & Requirements

Shortlisting Criteria

Essential

• excellent leadership skills with an ability to inspire, motivate and develop capability within a team
• excellent interpersonal skills, able to build, influence and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of collaborators at all levels of seniority both internally and externally
• ability to communicate complex financial matters to non-financial staff at all levels and instil confidence
• ability to work across organisational boundaries
• strong technical financial skills gained in a complex organisation
• good understanding of integrated financial ledger systems and experience of their practical application within large organisations
• proven ability to influence and guide business decisions by utilising information to grasp issues, draw conclusions, and solve problems
• ACA / ACCA / CIMA / CIPFA qualified or equivalent

Desirable

• understanding of public sector finance requirements
• a strong understanding of international financial reporting standards and their application
• experience in change and system implementation

Interview Criteria

Essential

• ability to provide strategic insight into wider issues
• ability to deliver a range of financial services and drive simple solutions to complex problems
• significant experience leading a financial and management accounting function in complex organisations
• the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external partners to facilitate effective working relationships
• experience leading, developing and inspiring a team of financial professionals to deliver a quality service
• significant staff management and resourcing experience, ensuring that resourcing levels and skills are managed to meet the fluctuating workloads throughout the year

Desirable

• demonstrable track record of leading change in a financial team within a wider context of organisational change
• significant post-qualified experience working in large and sophisticated organisations

*should you experience any issues applying via Careers Portal, please email SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org*

Screening Requirements

• This role attracts a National Security Vetting clearance (SC) which will be conducted by UKRI if not already obtained, there are further eligibility requirements, for further details visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/united-kingdom-security-vetting
• To meet national security vetting requirements, you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 5 years for SC level

Benefits