Senior Finance Business Partner

Company Description

STEP Fusion – [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], a subsidiary of the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], is at the forefront of developing fusion sustainable energy. Through the design and delivery of STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme we aim to build a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year.

Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, however, we actively support requests for Flexible Working. A full list of benefits can be found at https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/. For more information on [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], visit: UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf.

As an employee of [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] you will benefit from: Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, corporate bonus scheme up to 7%, relocation allowance (if eligible), flexible working options, Employee Assistance Programme, generous annual leave starting with 25 days plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, career development opportunities, and a vibrant culture committed to equality and inclusion.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Finance Business Partner to provide strategic financial leadership across multiple Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) and programme areas within [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]. 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 [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Planning & Forecasting: Lead preparation and consolidation of budgets and forecasts; identify risks and opportunities; provide high-quality financial insight.
• Financial Governance & Control: Ensure compliance with [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] financial policies; oversee inter-company transactions; maintain effective financial control frameworks.
• Business Partnering & Stakeholder Engagement: Act as senior finance partner to Programme Directors and IPT Leads; influence decision-making; build strong relationships with [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], Procurement, and corporate functions.
• Reporting & Insight: Lead production of timely financial reports and dashboards; provide actionable insight using ERP systems and Power BI.
• Audit & Assurance: Lead audit preparation and responses; coordinate implementation of audit recommendations.
• People & Capability Development: Provide oversight and mentoring to finance colleagues; promote best practice.
• Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement: Drive improvements to finance processes, systems, and reporting.
• Leadership & Culture: Embody strong leadership, foster inclusive environment, and support ad hoc projects.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree (or equivalent) in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business.
• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience.
• Working knowledge of IFRS and FReM rules and guidance.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, accounting standards, and government finance frameworks.
• Proven ability to provide authoritative financial challenge at senior-management level.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Experience managing multi-year, multi-million-pound government or commercial projects.
• Understanding of revenue recognition and lease accounting.
• Experience of audits relating to major contracts and projects.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, SUMIF formulas, etc.).
• Able to work to challenging timescales.

Beneficial:

• Experience working within or alongside a government-funded or Arm’s-Length Body environment.
• Advanced analytical and reporting skills using ERP systems and Power BI.
• Knowledge of HM Treasury Green Book and Better Business Cases methodology.
• Experience managing or mentoring finance professionals.
• Knowledge of NEC contract management and capital programme accounting.

Additional Information

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is committed to being accessible. Please email [contact hidden] if you have any questions or require adjustments. This role requires a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check including DBS. There is a possibility of SC Clearance in the future. For applicants from outside the UK, criminal records checks may be required. The closing date is 26th May 2026. Apply via the 'I'm interested' button on this page.