Head of Finance Data and Systems

Head of Finance Data and Systems - (250000AI)

Description

 

UK Research and Innovation

Salary: £68,525 per annum. 
Hours: Full time 
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire or Caxton House (Hybrid Working Available)

Closing Date: 27th May 2025

Purpose of the role

The post holder will be responsible for leading work to enhance the use of financial data and systems, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Finance function and financial planning and management across UKRI. 

UKRI are in the process of moving from an on-premise Oracle ERP to cloud-based Oracle Fusion, and will be using new EPM functionality. At the same time we have recently scaled up use of our new grants management tool, TFS. This exciting role will prioritise and shape the transformational work to optimize our processes, identify continuous improvements to systems, and maximise value from our data and reporting across our various systems, bringing in colleagues from across finance.

Responsibilities include providing finance data stewardship, harmonizing and optimizing processes,  expanding data analytics capabilities, and delivering reporting improvements for end users and finance teams.

In the longer term, once our transition is complete, we envisage the role will continue to drive continuous improvement in our use of data and reporting, with a growing focus on the interface between finance and business users.

This is a new role and the post holder will have a unique opportunity to shape its scope and deliverables, as well as the resource requirements for a finance data team, in discussion with the line manager, Head of Strategic Financial Planning, and Finance Director.

 

Key Areas of Accountability:

 

Leadership / teamwork:                    

·       Develop exceptional collaborative relationships with senior managers and colleagues across finance, data and digital, and HR teams. Collaborate with other functions and teams (Digital, Data, HR, Strategy, Analysis) and external stakeholders (Department for Science Innovation and Technology, National Audit Office), including matrixed management of roles in those areas, where required to enable project delivery.

·       Plan and define workstreams and improvements needed, prioritise and influence to deliver changes using resources outside direct line management chain

·       Guide, target and support external resource over the medium term, and ensure skills transfer for longer term continuous improvement ability

·       Scope and prepare business case for, then recruit and lead, an expert longer term finance systems and data team.

 

Delivery / programmes / projects / process:

·       Lead improvements to the UKRI’s financial analysis and reporting capabilities to support a streamlined, “digital first,” and data-driven approach across UKRI including creating a long-term road map, initial implementation, and ongoing continuous improvement.

·       Lead the design and ongoing maintenance and control of UKRI chart of accounts involving dealing with competing needs and different ways of working in the organisation and finding a right balance between standardisation and flexibility.

·       Deliver continuous improvement initiatives in relation to use of data and systems in grants accounting.

·       Lead harmonisation and continuous improvement in financial reporting (e.g., self-service, Management Reporting packs, DSIT reporting)

·       Oversee and coordinate the delivery of financial data requests, ad-hoc reports, and analysis for internal and external stakeholders

·       May be called on to contribute to other Finance or UKRI wide projects, as needed

 

Skills, qualifications and experience:

 

(S) – Assessed at shortlisting
(I) – Assessed at interview
(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

 

Essential

·       Demonstrable success in innovative thinking, and the planning and implementation of change, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of financial systems and processes. (S&I)

·       Current expert knowledge of the use of technology in finance, and ability to translate that into a UKRI Finance data and systems roadmap aligned with UKRI goals and strategy, in collaboration with IT and Data teams. (S&I)

·       Expert data management and data analysis skills. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, ability to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities in data. (S&I)

·       Knowledge of Business Intelligence and data visualisation tools (e.g., PowerBI) and ability to design and implement dashboards and reporting solutions. (S&I)

·       Highly developed communication skills, ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Excellent stakeholder management with good negotiation skills. Ability to foster collaboration between technical and business teams, and work across departments (e.g., finance, Data, IT, HR, Councils) (S&I)

 

Desirable

·       Good understanding of UKRI systems and data architecture, or proven ability to quickly gain an understanding of a new organisations’ systems and architecture. 

·       Ability to provide advice and design training for finance and non-finance audience.

·       Excellent organisation skills, ability to prioritise role of governance, risk management and assurance in operational and project delivery.

 

 

 

 

Qualifications

 

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) 

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. 

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 UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce 

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’. 

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 
 
How to apply 

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application. 

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

 

Primary Location

: England-Wiltshire-Swindon

Job

: Finance

Organization

: UKRI - Finance DirectorateContract Type: Open Ended

Unposting Date

: 27-05-2025Hours: Full-time

Salary (Pay Basis)

: Pound Sterling (GBP)68,525.00Band UKRI: UKRI-Band G