Finance Business Partner - Wallingford, United Kingdom - Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Verified Company

Wallingford, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Salary - £45,065 to £47,823 (prorated for part time hours) Depending on experience

Permanent and Part Time (22.2 hours per week/3 days)

Hybrid 50/50

UKCEH is looking for an experienced Finance Business Partner to join our 600-strong team, contributing to scientific discovery and generating the data, insights and solutions that researchers, businesses and governments need to solve complex environmental challenges.

Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society.

We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

As a valued member of our team, you'll get:

27 days annual leave, rising to 29 days after five years
10% employer pension contribution
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
24 hour, 365-day access to support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues
Flexible working opportunities
And much more.

We are seeking to appoint a new part-time role of Finance Business Partner to support the planning and implementation of a major capital investment for hydrological research.

The

Floods & Droughts Research Infrastructure

(FDRI) project is led by UKCEH, as part of a 4-year collaboration with research partners.

The Business Partner will provide an essential link between FDRI project management and project delivery functions with UKCEH finance.

It will be a varied and dynamic role, providing the opportunity to work with different groups on a range of activities, spanning project finance and procurement.

It would suit someone who can switch between managing the detail and able to provide a broad perspective.

You'll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that's committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH.

Your main responsibilities will include:

Liaison with project teams and key internal stakeholders
Work with the Project Management team to develop a project finance strategy for implementation and operational phases
Cost monitoring, tracking actuals against budgets, variance analysis and internal budget reporting for project teams. Advocating cost efficiency and upholding sustainability criteria across the project
Establish key metrics and criteria for financial reporting within UKCEH and to funders
Coordinate large scale procurement processes including management of subcontractors. Ensuring smooth financial transactions costs tracking, invoices, and payment review. Build good working relationships with the procurement team
Provide commercial insight and advice on preparation of contracts
Lead on capital reporting and asset treatment, providing input to the development of a new asset database
Participate in internal and external assurance reviews

For the role of Finance Business Partner - Major Projects, we're looking for somebody who:

Is a qualified accountant/part qualified/QBE (ICAEW/CIMA/ACA/ACCA/CIPFA)
Has business partner or equivalent experience
Has knowledge of project and people management approaches, project controls process and tools, and commercial awareness of contractual implications
Can demonstrate clear communication both verbal and written (able to explain financial concepts and figures to a non-finance audience)
Can support decision making, influence, and challenge when necessary
Has a collaborative approach to problem solving and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels
Has an understanding of the key stages in large-scale procurement
Has experience of one or more of the following: commercial risk, capital costs, operation & maintenance costs, and contract management

Desirable Experience:

Knowledge of public sector funding requirements and processes
ERP experience, preferably in Workday
Experience or knowledge of financial management of scientific research projects
Experience of providing financial support to large projects in an engineering/science environment (either research/applied)