Senior Finance Business Partner

Altum Consulting is working with a major UK charity to recruit a Senior Finance Business Partner within its research and commercialisation function. The role will initially be offered on an interim basis, although there is a strong possibility of a longer-term, permanent opportunity.

The organisation has a substantial research portfolio, supporting scientific innovation and the development of new treatments. Its commercialisation activities include licensing agreements, patents, venture investments and the creation of spin-out companies, helping to translate scientific discoveries into treatments and other practical applications.

This is a senior finance business partnering role, working closely with the leadership of the research commercialisation function to support financial planning, investment decisions and commercial activities.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the function's long-term financial model, lead financial planning and reporting, and provide financial analysis and advice on a range of complex commercial transactions. They will also manage a Finance Analyst and provide oversight and support to management accountants working across the function.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Acting as the senior finance business partner to the research and commercialisation leadership team, providing financial advice and challenge on strategic and operational decisions.
• Leading financial analysis and modelling for commercial activities, including spin-out companies, venture investments, licensing arrangements and the commercialisation of intellectual property.
• Taking ownership of the function's long-term financial model, including income and expenditure forecasts, scenario planning and the financial implications of commercial decisions.
• Leading budgeting, forecasting and financial planning, working closely with senior stakeholders to understand income streams, expenditure and future investment requirements.
• Overseeing monthly management reporting, working with management accountants to ensure financial information is accurate, timely and useful.
• Reviewing the financial performance of commercial activities and investment portfolios, identifying risks, opportunities and their implications for longer-term plans.
• Managing and developing a Finance Analyst, while providing guidance and oversight to management accountants supporting the function.
• Building relationships with senior leaders across research, commercialisation and finance, helping them understand the financial implications of their decisions.
• Identifying opportunities to improve financial planning, reporting and analysis across the function.

The successful candidate will have:

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), with significant post-qualification experience.
• Substantial finance experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, scientific research or research commercialisation environments.
• Experience supporting complex commercial activities, ideally including licensing agreements, spin-outs, venture investments or intellectual property commercialisation.
• Strong financial modelling, budgeting, forecasting and analytical skills, including experience developing and maintaining long-term financial models.
• Experience working closely with senior stakeholders, providing commercial advice and challenging financial assumptions.
• Previous experience managing and developing finance staff.
• The ability to understand complex commercial arrangements and explain their financial implications clearly to non-finance colleagues.

This role would suit an experienced Senior Finance Manager, Finance Business Partner or Commercial Finance Manager who has worked within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology or scientific research environment and understands the financial considerations involved in bringing research and intellectual property to market.

The position is initially interim, with the potential to become permanent, and the organisation is keen to appoint someone who can make an immediate contribution.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact Altum Consulting.