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Project Finance Assurance Manager Net Zero Domain and Managed Programmes

Innovate UKSwindon, England, UK

10 days ago

Job type

Full-time

Permanent

Job description

This is the Internal Only Recruitment Site for UK Research and Innovation Staff for roles within Innovate UK (UKRI).

Please apply for jobs via this site only if you are employed by UK Research and Innovation (employees with access to Innovate UKs Workday system may apply via the Careers application within the system) .

If you are not a current UKRI employee you can view vacancies at the externally advertised stage at the links given in the About Us information on the right. If you wish to apply for the position below please ensure that you comply with the requirements of the recruitment process by submitting both a full CV and application letter. Ideally you should also advise your manager of your application.

Applications must be submitted by

Project Finance & Assurance Manager (Net Zero Domain and Managed Programmes)

The role holder will operate within the Innovate UK Project Finance & Assurance Team which is part of Operations Governance Operations Directorate working with the team Managers and Senior Manager.

Please note this advert will close on 21st of April 2025 at 23.59pm.

Watch our video Why Join Innovate UK here .

Title : Project Finance & Assurance Manager (Net Zero Domain and Managed Programmes)

Band : UKRI Band E (UKRI Ts & Cs)

Salary : 45272 gross per annum

Reports to : Project Finance Senior Manager

Location : Swindon (Hybrid Working)

Contract : Permanent

Innovate UK recognises the importance of worklife balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements.

Context :

The role holder will operate within the Innovate UK Project Finance & Assurance Team which is part of Operations Governance Operations Directorate working with the team Managers and Senior Manager.

Project Finance & Assurance is a team of management accountants who are individually responsible for checking and approving the financial viability and eligibility of successful grant applicants in adherence to the businesss risk appetite..

Each member has a strong background in management accounting and can scrutinise applicants businesses. Liaising with applicants and stakeholders to ensure that they are legitimate and eligible to receive public funding is their main goal. This is a key part of the application process and must be conducted in a timely manner so that participants can start their innovation projects on the required date.

Frequently working to deadlines management accountants must understand State Aid rules and Subsidy Control and use these to check eligibility of project participants. This may involve discussions and options with those organisations who do not meet the financial viability necessary to be legally able to accept the grant award. Experience in commercial accounting good practice is essential as is a strong investigative and inquisitive nature. The team must balance the need to adhere to policy and accounting standards transparency requirements in accordance with managing the public purse along with the need to provide a high level of customer service to project participants.

We particularly welcome female applicants as women are underrepresented within Innovate UK in this type of role.

Job Purpose :

Reporting to the Project Finance & Assurance Senior Manager you will be responsible for managing and delivering project financial reviews approvals and reporting on high profile and challenging Innovate UK competitions (including other interventions and Managed Programmes) where discussions with Senior Internal Stakeholders will be key to the design of the Competition. Ability to support team members and resolve complex issues promptly.

The financial reviews consist of several parts for each project participant :

State Aid and Subsidy Control eligibility checks including meeting the relevant requirements of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) and TCA ensuring Innovate UK meets the general responsibility of public authorities awarding grants.

The financial viability of the organisation must be checked and validated to ensure that the grant request is legitimate and that the organisation has the necessary financial resources to support the delivery of the project while maintaining business as usual activities.

The project cost eligibility review ensures that the organisations project costs provided as part of the application are eligible for State Aid or Subsidy Control. This requires you to have a level of understanding of the daytoday activities of a wellrun business. You may be required to contact the project participant to ask for further information or evidence on how costs have been calculated to ensure compliance and transparency.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities :

Experience in team management and workload oversight. Supporting the Senior Manager assisting with reporting to senior management on capacity and deliverables

Strong stakeholder management to liaise with High level positions or roles within applicants organisations and work with them to understand any implications with the eligibility viability checks supporting other team members where necessary. It is expected you will take the lead on these conversations with key stakeholders in large companies and research organisations

Strong stakeholder management skills to liaise with the UKRI CFIS Team and attend complex applicant and assurance visits

Deliver the financial review of project information in a fastpaced change environment including :

Comprehensive review and analysis of participant Management Accounts and financial statements to ensure compliance with Innovate UK Subsidy Control and State Aid regulations

Lead and manage highly sensitive / high profile competitions liaising with senior level internal and external stakeholders updating them on progress

Financial eligibility review of detailed project information in application to establish compliance with policy guidance Subsidy Control and State Aid regulations.

Liaison with applicants to resolve issues identified by financial review including timely documentation of supporting evidence

Ability to educate other Operational Teams on accounting policies regarding projects

Work with other team members and wider Operational team to integrate the results of participant project financial reviews with other requirements and processes

Work with the Senior Manager on team performance reporting and capacity planning.

During the life of a project support give advice on project changes and issues escalated by the Operations and Technology Domains.

Contribute to and deliver process improvements as part of ensuring an efficient effective financial review process whilst working with other teams to ensure optimum end to end processes for Innovate UK and our customers

Autonomy to manage workload and handle conflicting priorities in order to meet strict deadlines

Work with other team Managers to increase the awareness of the roles of your team and the stakeholders they support

Provide ongoing guidance and mentoring to new team members as necessary

Ability to support team members and resolve complex issues promptly.

Be capable of building and presenting the escalation for any situation requiring a more senior level consideration and sign off for financial issues raised

Supporting the Assurance Reviewers Team at the Process & Controls visits when required

Support other adhoc business requirements as necessary.

This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post for which the post holder has the key experience and / or training.

Shortlisting criteria

S) Assessed at shortlisting

I) Assessed at interview

S&I) Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

Person Specification :

Experience & Qualifications :

Essential

Educated to degreelevel or equivalent experience S

Hold a professional Accounting qualification e.g. AAT CIMA or CIPFA or equivalent relevant experience. (S)

Proven Management Accountant experience in a commercial environment

Experience and understanding of working with business accounts Management accounting processes and policies (S&I)

Ability to liaise with stakeholders at a Director and / or CFO level with a confident and articulate approach (I)

Financial management and analytical review experience e.g. as a Tax Advisor or Auditor with focus on quality and attention to detail balanced with costeffectiveness.

Proven experience of managing workloads to meet tight deadlines with the ability to prioritise using own initiative (S&I)

Excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with a range of stakeholders at all levels (I)

Desirable

Interest / background / experience in innovation or research business competitiveness and technology policy or delivery (S&I)

Understanding of structure of government and key Innovate UK partner organisations such as the Research Councils and Devolved Administrations (I)

An understanding of Subsidy Regime Control State Aid Rules (SAR) and the General Block Exemption Regulations (GEBR) Anti Moneylaundering rules and the Proceeds of Crime Act and other relevant legislation (I)

Competencies :

All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as :

Thinking and Problem Solving Stakeholder management Communication skills Influencing Selfawareness / selfmanagement Strategic awareness Working with others Project management

Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage in addition to the criterias listed in the person specification.

Travel Requirements :

Swindon based : There may be the occasional requirement for national travel.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion :

Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. Underpinning this is a belief that it is a fundamental right for everyone to be treated equally with fairness respect and dignity. We will act directly and use our influence to ensure that this right is promoted and upheld; we encourage applications from all those who meet the criteria setout in our role profiles.

Equal Opportunities :

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments some of which will be online and others may be inperson. If you have a disability heath condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia then you may be entitled to support with undertaking this type of assessment exercise. Where you feel that reasonable adjustments are required to support you we ask that you advise your recruitment point of contact in a timely fashion providing further information. In confidence Innovate UK will then review your application for adjustments and provide support as required.

UK Research and Innovation :

Innovate UK is partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation. If successful in securing the position your employer will be UK Research and Innovation. More information can be found online Benefits :

We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work / life balance. This includes 30 days annual leave 10.5 public and privilege days flexible working hours an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes.

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Flexible Working :

We understand the importance of worklife balance and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants.

Preemployment Screening :

To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive preemployment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening / vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or rerun security clearance as required during the course of employment.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health agriculture and food security and bioscience for health which includes research on animals genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research you should consider how this aligns with your personal values or beliefs. To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive preemployment check as a crucial part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.

Applications must be submitted by;

Required Experience :

Manager

Key Skills

Business Process,Risk Management,Key Stakeholders,Sigma,Financial Systems,Finance,Accounting,PMO,Project Management,ERP,Financial Project,Financial Statements,Ensure Compliance,Financial Management,Special projects

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1