Finance Business Partner

Tokamak Energy is a global leader in fusion energy and high temperature superconducting (HTS) technologies. We work with governments and industry to develop and bring fusion and HTS solutions to market through innovation and strategic partnerships. A major part of this is our end to end capability in HTS systems, from design to manufacturing.

We are the Magnet Systems Partner for the UK Government's STEP Fusion programme, under a £70 million contract running to 2029, working with UK Fusion Energy to deliver HTS magnet systems for the STEP prototype power plant, while also contributing to tokamak systems and plasma integration.

Founded in 2009 as a spin-out from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Tokamak Energy is headquartered in Oxfordshire, with subsidiaries in the United States and Japan. Today, we employ over 300 people and have secured more than £280 million in investment.

We operate through three divisions:

Fusion

Fusion energy technologies, expertise and testbeds for government and private fusion programmes, including ST40, the world’s highest field spherical tokamak.

TE Magnetics

HTS systems for commercial applications including fusion energy, power distribution, life sciences, and propulsion.

Ridgway Machines

Manufacturing equipment for the superconducting, electrical and wider energy sectors, enabling the rapid industrialisation of HTS products.

Help shape the financial foundations of a major UK fusion programme

Contract: Fixed-term contract, until September 2027

We are looking for an experienced Finance Business Partner to lead the financial management of a significant government-funded contract and establish the frameworks, controls and processes that will support its long-term success.

This is a unique opportunity to join at a critical stage. As the organisation's Finance Business Partner for one of our major programmes, you will take ownership of complex contract accounting requirements, work closely with senior stakeholders across the business, and build the financial approach that will underpin future contract delivery.

The role is ideally suited to someone who enjoys creating structure from ambiguity, influencing non-finance stakeholders, and taking ownership of complex challenges in a fast-paced environment.

What you'll be doing

Contract Accounting & Financial Management

• Determine and implement the appropriate accounting treatment for contract income and R&D expenditure.
• Own the ongoing accounting for the contract, including revenue recognition, milestone billing, contract assets and liabilities.
• Ensure compliance with contractual financial reporting obligations.
• Monitor profitability, cost recovery and margin performance.
• Support external audits and assurance activities.
• Act as a key financial contact for contract stakeholders.

Finance Business Partnering

• Partner with programme leaders, budget holders and technical teams.
• Translate complex technical and programme activity into meaningful financial insight.
• Provide challenge, guidance and support to aid commercial decision-making.
• Drive greater engagement between finance and the wider business.
• Build trusted relationships across multiple functions.

Planning, Reporting & Analysis

• Support budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Produce management reporting, KPI packs and financial analysis.
• Support cash flow forecasting and working capital management.
• Deliver insights that improve business performance and decision-making.

Process Improvement & Controls

• Design and establish robust financial processes and controls.
• Create clear documentation, policies and operating procedures.
• Improve the organisation's capability to manage complex government-funded contracts.
• Leave a sustainable framework that can be adopted as business-as-usual.

 What success looks like

• Financial processes and controls are fully established and operating effectively.
• Contract accounting is robust, compliant and audit-ready.
• Revenue, billing and cash collection opportunities are maximised.
• Stakeholders actively engage with finance as a trusted business partner.
• Management has clear visibility of programme performance and financial risks.
• The organisation is well positioned for future growth in government-funded programmes.

Requirements

Essential

• ACA or ACCA qualified accountant.
• Strong experience in contract accounting and revenue recognition.
• Experience of grant accounting and government-funded or public sector contracts.
• Proven ability to work independently and take ownership of complex problems.
• Strong finance business partnering experience with non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience implementing processes, controls and ways of working from the ground up.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

 Desirable

• Experience within engineering, advanced manufacturing, R&D, technology or scale-up environments.
• Exposure to IFRS reporting.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups and financial modelling.
• Experience using AI and automation tools to improve reporting and analysis.

Benefits

• Salary up to £75,000 dependent on skills and experience and will be discussed from the outset
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays, plus discretionary festive shutdown (pro rata)
• Performance-led rewards including discretionary bonus, innovation and merit schemes
• Share options – a stake in our future success
• Pension and comprehensive financial protection package including death in service and critical illness cover
• Health and wellbeing support, including cash plan and 24/7 assistance
• Ongoing investment in your growth with training and career progression
• Be part of world-changing innovation in Fusion Energy

Important information for candidates

No terminology in the advert or job description is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person’s age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Pre-employment screening

Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work, proof of identity and references.

Data privacy

Please note that any personal data submitted to Tokamak Energy as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation, for more information regarding GDPR please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation

Equality of opportunity

Entry into employment with the Tokamak Energy and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.