Head of Finance - Vacancy Details

1. 1
Role Profile
Title: Head of Finance
Directorate: Finance and Governance
Band: 2
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer
Location: Swindon
Contract: 14 month fixed-term
The Organisation:
Innovate UKis the UK’s innovationagency. We know thattakinga new ideatomarket isa
challenge. We fund,supportandconnectinnovative businessesthroughaunique mix of peopleand
programmestoaccelerate sustainableeconomicgrowth.
For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk
Job Purpose:
The Head of Finance will be responsibleforthe accurate,reliable andtimely preparationof Innovate
UK’s accounts,financial forecastingandmodellingandmanagementof the Finance teamsat
Innovate UK coveringtransactional activity tobusinesspartnering.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
 Provide financialoversightforInnovate UK,developingandimplementingaprogramme of
activity,withthe associatedrevisionstoprocess,toensure thatthe organisationdischargesits
fundingremitandfinancial responsibilities effectively
 Lead budgetpreparation,managementand monitoring,undertakingvariance analysisasrequired
 Embedand reinforce aculture of financial prudence andaccountability acrossInnovateUK,
ensuringcompliance withCivilService/PublicService principles
 Manage the preparationof statutoryaccountsand reports
 Work alongside the CFOtoprepare financial submissions toBISasnecessary
 Oversee the activities of all financial processes, managing the respective functional team
leaders/managers
 Ensure delivery of an effective business-partnering model, where coaching and support are given
to budget holders to achieve best value for money and accountability

2. 2
 Manage relationshipswith internal and external stakeholders linked to the Finance function (BIS,
NAO, Treasury, internal audit etc.) ensuring alignment with the organisations strategic aims,
prepare and support implementation of processes which support this delivery
 Maintainresponsibilityforfinancial systemsandfinanceservicesprovidedbyanyexternalpartners
or organisations; specificallyoverall management of the implementationof a new finance system
and integration of the finance system into the Grant Funding System.
 Work withthe businesstomatchdeliverymechanismstothe goalsand objectivesof the
technological areaandInnovate UKas a whole withconsiderationof the Five PointPlanandthe
future of Innovate UK’sfundingproposition,includingsupportforthe CFOisdeliveringnew
modelsof funding
 Ensure compliance acrossthe Finance functionwith all relevantlegislation,reviewing,revising
and updatingfinancial regulations,policies,procedures,andcontrolsasappropriate and ensuring
that thisknowledgeisreflected acrossall teams
 RepresentInnovateUK at meetings,conferences,workshops,regionaleventsandsimilaractivities
to help develop and publicise the work of Innovate UK
 Direct,developandmodifyexistingprocessestomatchthe changingorganisationalneedstodeliver
improved efficiencies, clarity and ease of process utilising the developing IT infrastructures
This is an outline description of the key responsibilities and accountabilities involved in the
job. It is not exhaustive and may be revised from time to time.
Context:
This role will be central to providinga solidfoundationforthe financial managementof Innovate UK.
The post-holder will need to make decisions around the application of budget.
Person Specification:
Qualifications:
 CCAB/CIMA qualified accountant
Desirable –
 Continued professional development advantageous
 Recognised project management qualification
Experience:
Essential –
 Provenrecordof successful management of a finance function,coveringarange of activitiesfrom
transaction processing to strategic planning. In particular the:
- preparation of budgets and financial plans
- facilitation of the preparation of statutory accounts and reports

3. 3
- timely completion of the month end management accounts in line with strict accounting
deadlines
 Proven abilities to support the rest of the organisation in developing their understanding and
management of finance
 Evidence of having critically and continuously examinedhow to gain optimum value from finite
resources and developed innovative ways to improve performance
 Management of teams within a fast-paced service delivery/operational environment
 Direct management experience in a process intensive service-oriented/operational environment
(e.g. competitive procurement or service delivery)
 Proven ability to work within the constraints of time and cost to the required quality
 Directexperience of businessprocessimprovement/re-engineeringandassociatedsystemsdesign
and implementation
 A track-recordof deliverytoanexceptionalstandardagainstrigorousgovernance andduediligence
processes with a clear consideration of public accountability
Desirable –
 Financial managementexperience inbudgeting,forecastingandcostcontrol withinaPublic Sector
context
 Understanding of structure of and relationships with government and key Innovate UK partner
organisations such as the Research Councils and the Devolved Administrations
 A working knowledge of EU Framework processes and State Aid rules
 Systems development
Skills:
 Strong technical skills developed in the accounting profession and an in-depth understanding of
relevant extant financial reporting principles
 Proven team working and project management skills
 Proven people management skills – in particular, developing teams to achieve their full potential,
recognising the changing needs of the business
 Able to act and think strategically, developing practical, innovative and creative solutions to
strategic issues and complex problems
 Self-organisationskillsanda demonstrable abilitytomanage and prioritise aworkloadin orderto
meet tight deadlines
 Analytical andproblem-solvingskills,includingthe abilitytoquicklyunderstandnew and complex
issues and to develop/propose solutions
 Good presentation skills and a professional and engaging style
 Highly-effective communication (both written and oral) skills and the ability to produce clear,
concise and accurate presentations and written documents

4. 4
 Strong IT skills including process and control development, managing data and maintaining audit
trial and data integrity
 Abilitytomanage oftenconflictingdemandsof multiplestakeholderswhilstprotectingthe integrity
and ownership of the documented processes
 Ability and willingness to thrive in a changing environment, working proactively on new product
ideas and processes
 The abilitytorespondcalmlyunderpressureandtomake impartial andwell-consideredjudgments
in complex situations as and when required
 The capability and gravitas to engage effectively with senior representatives from business,
academia and government
 Developed negotiating and influencing skills
Competencies:
As withall rolesat Innovate UK applicantswill needtodemonstrate compatibilitywithandcapability
against our Core Competencies:
ThinkingandProblemSolving –Stakeholdermanagement –Communicationskills –Influencing–Self-
awareness/self-management – Strategic awareness – Working with others– Project management
Travel Requirements:
There will be the regularrequirementfornational travelandpotentiallysome international travel as
required.
ApplicationProcess:
If applyingviathe website youshouldcompletethe on-lineapplicationform.Thisisaccessible at:
https://www5.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_capita22.asp?newms=info1
Please includeaCV withyourapplication.
Your completedapplicationformmustbe submittednolaterthanthe date specifiedinthe advert.
You will automaticallyreceive anelectronicacknowledgementthatyourapplicationhasbeen
received.
The diversity questionnaire section is separate and does not form part of your application.
If youare an internal memberof staff,a directapplicant or a Civil Service applicantthenplease apply
directly to:
Mr. Sam Gingham:
sam.gingham@innovateuk.gov.uk with a CV and covering letter.