Finance Improvement Project Lead (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds & London)

Company Description

Genomics England partners with the NHS to provide whole genome sequencing diagnostics. We also equip researchers to find the causes of disease and develop new treatments – with patients and participants at the heart of it all.

Our mission is to continue refining, scaling, and evolving our ability to enable others to deliver genomic healthcare and conduct genomic research.

We are accelerating our impact and working with patients, doctors, scientists, government and industry to improve genomic testing, and help researchers access the health data and technology they need to make new medical discoveries and create more effective, targeted medicines for everybody.

Job Description

We are seeking a Finance Improvement Project Lead based on a 12-month fixed term contract to support Genomics England’s Finance Team in advancing financial improvement initiatives and strengthening sound financial management and control aligned with broader business objectives.  

This exciting role will work collaboratively with senior leaders to drive forward areas for improvement, and implement best practices and technologies. This will help embed core principles of financial management, enhancing operational efficiency, productivity, and governance throughout the organisation. 

Everyday responsibilities include: 

Develop and execute a finance improvement strategy that aligns with Genomics England broader business goals, which includes a deliverable plan for the ensuing 12-18 months.   
Build strong relationships with Finance and business teams to drive positive improvements across Genomics England – leading and delivering finance improvement projects from inception to completion.  
Work with cross-functional teams to implement best practices that increase operational efficiency and reduce manual effort. Identify opportunities for process optimisation, automation, and technology enhancements to improve productivity in a fully compliant manner.  
Ensure all improvement activities comply with UK GAAP financial regulations, internal controls, and risk management frameworks.   
Use data-driven insights to measure the success of improvement initiatives and drive continuous improvement.   
Communicate progress and results to stakeholders at all levels of the organisation. 
 Support our people so they are equipped to embrace new organisational technology (specifically AI in finance) and fulfil their financial responsibilities in more productive ways.   Skills and experience for success: 

In-depth knowledge of UK GAAP. 
Experienced in designing and delivering high-level finance improvement strategies aligned with broader business goals. 
Track record of identifying and implementing process improvements that drive efficiency and operational effectiveness. 
Proven ability to understand complex organisations and internal team structures to develop impactful strategies. 
Strong knowledge of financial management principles and control frameworks, with the ability to embed these across diverse teams. 
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset. 
Demonstrated experience utilising AI in a finance setting to drive efficiencies and innovation (Desirable).  

Qualifications

Professionally qualified accountant (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA). 

Additional Information

Salary from: £58,892

Being an integral part of such a meaningful mission is extremely rewarding in itself, but in order to support our people, we’re continually improving our benefits package. We pride ourselves on investing in our people and supporting them to achieve their career goals, as well as offering a benefits package including: 

Generous Leave: 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, additional leave for long service, and the option to apply for up to 30 days of remote working abroad annually (approval required).
Family-Friendly: Blended working arrangements, flexible working, enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave benefits.
Pension & Financial: Defined contribution pension (Genomics England double-matches up to 10%, however you can contribute more if you wish), Life Assurance (3x salary), and a Give As You Earn scheme.
Learning & Development: Individual learning budgets, support for training and certifications, and reimbursement for one annual professional subscription (approval required).
Recognition & Rewards: Employee recognition programme and referral scheme.
Health & Wellbeing: Subsidised gym membership, a free Headspace account, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, eye tests, flu jabs.Equal opportunities and our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace 

Genomics England is actively committed to providing and supporting an inclusive environment that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion best practice both within our community and in any other area where we have influence. We are proud of our diverse community where everyone can come to work and feel welcomed and treated with respect regardless of any disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or social background. 

Genomics England’s policies of non-discrimination and equity and will be applied fairly to all people, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, being pregnant or recently becoming a parent, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation, length of service, whether full or part-time or employed under a permanent or a fixed-term contract or any other relevant factor.  

Genomics England does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying at work. Such behaviour is contrary to