Head of Finance

Head of Finance

UKRI – NERC – BGS

This role will be based at the BGS headquarters in Keyworth, Nottingham

UKRI Pay Band G

GBP61,227 to GBP68,029 per annum (depending on qualifications and experience)

Full–time – 37 hours a week

A range of flexible working options may be available (including a small amount of hybrid/remote working which BGS is currently trialling)

Permanent

About us

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey whose core mission is to inform government of science related to the subsurface and to undertake applied research to solve earth and environmental issues, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI, as well as through research grants and private sector contracts.

We are committed to promoting equility and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational effectiveness. As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our commitment to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society.

We will actively seek to avoid discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race, sex or sexual orientation, being trans or a member of the non–binary community, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave or religion.

The British Geological Survey has achieved Bronze status for Athena SWAN – a scheme that recognises an organisation's commitment and progress in developing a diverse and inclusive workforce; we are also committed to the Disability Confident framework and, as part of UKRI, are members of Inclusive Employers.

BGS is looking for a highly motivated and experienced finance professional for the role of Head of Finance, joining the Operations function at its headquarters in Keyworth, Nottingham.

About the role

To lead and develop the BGS financial strategy and medium–term financial planning for BGS. You will drive and establish ways of working within BGS to meet the financial sustainability target for the medium term required by NERC/UKRI and the BGS Board.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will work with the BGS Senior Management Board (SMB), Science Strategy Group (SSG) and the Operations Leadership Team to manage a change process to develop the BGS target operating model and to support effective decision making.

You will also provide a seamless finance function working closely with UKRI, UK Shared Business Services and other support areas as well as lead and motivate the Finance and Project Support teams (20 staff) and all financial management and financial control processes for BGS. This includes responsibility for a GBP50m resource budget and GBP8m capital budget to ensure maximum benefit is delivered.

Another key responsibility will be to liaise with UKRI to agree and develop delivery methods for finance and to agree or review proposals e.g. funding methodology to achieve a result which meets the needs of BGS as well as the overriding Accounting guidance.

About you

It is essential that you are a current member of one of the UK CCAB accounting bodies or CIMA and be able to demonstrate strong continuous professional development for both the accounting body and other management activities. A good knowledge of VAT will be highly desirable for this role.

You will have several years of post–qualification experience, working in a complex financial environment as well as experience of working in the public sector, leading a finance function/team and working closely with a Shared Services Centre.

You must be comfortable with providing strategic finance advice to senior management and leading an effective operational finance function. You must be able to employ considerable independent decision–making and develop financial models and plans. You must also have a results driven outlook using your extensive experience and creative thinking to identify and solve financial and organisational issues.

There will be an occasional requirement to travel to other BGS/NERC/UKRI sites that may include overnight stays.

Please also refer to the specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post.

What we offer

A genrous benefits package is also offered, including a very competitive pension scheme, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and access to flexi–time.

We also offer the 'Bike to Work' scheme, free car parking, health and wellbeing support and sports/social clubs.

All staff have access to a platform of learning and development opportunities and where appropriate to the role, technical/specialist training.

BGS provides a range of flexible working options including flexible working patterns, compressed hours and home working so if you have a need for flexibility, please raise this in the recruitment process when your needs, balanced with the requirements of the role, will be fully considered.

Please note that any internal BGS staff applying for this post would, if successful, be appointed to new UKRI Terms and Conditions and pay.

How to apply

Applicants are required to include a cover letter outlining their suitability for this role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.

A well thought through application addressing the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 29th May 2022. Interviews are expected to be held in June 2022.