We are seeking an experienced Senior Finance Business Partner to provide strategic financial leadership across multiple Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) and programme areas within UK Fusion Energy (UKFE). This role is critical to ensuring that robust financial management, governance, and insight underpin the successful delivery of the STEP Programme, one of the UK’s most ambitious and complex science and engineering programmes.
Operating in a dynamic, multi-year delivery environment, you will provide authoritative financial challenge and advice to Programme Directors, IPT Leads, and senior stakeholders, while maintaining financial control across multiple projects, programmes, and inter-company transactions between UKFE and UKAEA.
With a high degree of autonomy, you will shape financial governance, influence senior decision-making, and embed finance as a core enabler of delivery, value for money, and organisational strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Planning & Forecasting
- Lead the preparation, consolidation, and ongoing management of budgets and forecasts across multiple IPTs and programmes.
- Ensure forecasts are robust, evidence-based, and aligned with delivery milestones and resourcing plans.
- Identify financial risks and opportunities, implementing corrective actions where required.
- Provide high-quality financial insight to support investment, resourcing, and prioritisation decisions at programme level.
Financial Governance & Control
- Ensure full compliance with UKFE and UKAEA Group financial policies, delegations, and sponsor requirements.
- Oversee inter-company transactions and corporate allocations, maintaining transparency, reconciliation, and integrity.
- Maintain effective financial control frameworks within assigned IPTs, aligned to accounting standards and government finance frameworks.
- Provide assurance to the Head of Finance and Group Finance on financial accuracy and governance compliance.
Business Partnering & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a senior finance partner to Programme Directors, IPT Leads, and Control Account Managers.
- Influence decision-making through authoritative advice on cost management, risk mitigation, and investment priorities.
- Build strong relationships with UKAEA Group Finance, Procurement, and corporate functions to ensure joined-up delivery.
- Represent Finance at programme boards, steering groups, and audit forums.
Reporting & Insight
- Lead the production of timely and accurate financial reports and dashboards, including clear narrative on variances, trends, and delivery impacts.
- Provide actionable insight to senior stakeholders to support performance management and decision-making.
- Oversee integrity of financial data flows between ERP systems, Power BI dashboards, and group reporting tools.
Audit & Assurance
- Lead audit preparation and responses across IPTs and programmes.
- Coordinate implementation of audit recommendations and maintain continuous audit readiness.
- Provide assurance to senior management and Group Finance on the strength of financial controls and reporting.
People & Capability Development
- Provide oversight, guidance, and mentoring to finance colleagues supporting IPT delivery.
- Promote best practice in finance business partnering and continuous improvement.
- Contribute to the development of the finance community across UKFE.
Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement
- Drive improvements to finance processes, systems, and reporting across assigned areas.
- Ensure alignment with UKFE and UKAEA group standards, policies, and best practice.
- Share lessons learned and insights to enhance financial capability and efficiency as UKIFS evolves.
Leadership & Culture
- Embody a strong leadership mindset, acting as a role model for UKFE’s values and behaviours.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful working environment.
- Act with integrity, professionalism, and ethical judgement in all interactions.
- Provide support on ad hoc projects aligned with UKFE priorities and governance standards.