NLS Finance Manager - 9 month FTC

LGC Assure & NLS is part of the LGC Group, united by our purpose: Science for a Safer World.

We provide assurance and scientific expertise across global food, healthcare, and regulated markets through:

• BRCGS – supply chain assurance solutions (London)
• INFORMED – testing and certification programmes (Cambridge)
• National Laboratories & Science (NLS) – scientific services supporting UK Government, industry, and academia (Guildford & Twickenham)

Job Description

The NLS Finance Manager will report to the Finance Director (Assure & NLS) and act as a key finance business partner to National Laboratories for the duration of the fixed term contract.

This is a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, ideal for someone who enjoys taking ownership, improving processes, and delivering meaningful insight to support better decision-making.

You’ll work closely with business and Group Finance teams to strengthen reporting, drive performance visibility, and support key planning cycles.

What the role involves

You’ll take ownership of core finance activity across NLS, including:

• Business partnering & insight – working closely with stakeholders to provide clear, actionable financial insight and support decision-making
• Performance reporting – owning weekly and monthly reporting, improving accuracy, quality and depth of analysis
• Planning cycles – supporting the strategic plan, annual budget, and quarterly forecasts end-to-end
• Project & resource tracking – overseeing project accounting, utilisation metrics, and cost performance
• Financial control – managing overhead cost centres, P&L reviews, and balance sheet processes
• Commercial & funding support – contributing to pricing, tenders, and R&D claims
• Driving improvement – enhancing reporting tools and dashboards (e.g. Tableau) to deliver better business insight

You’ll also support wider NLS and Group Finance initiatives where needed.

Qualifications

What you’ll bring

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) - Essential.
• Proven experience in financial reporting, FP&A or business partnering roles
• Strong commercial awareness; able to translate financial data into clear business insight
• Confident stakeholder management, able to work effectively across finance and operational teams
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and capable of managing multiple priorities
• Advanced Excel skills (e.g. modelling, reporting, data analysis)
• A proactive, self-starting approach with the ability to quickly get up to speed and deliver in a fast-paced environment

Nice to have

• Experience in project or cost accounting environments
• Exposure to systems such as IFS, SAP Business Objects or Tableau

You’ll be someone who can quickly embed into a new environment, build credibility with stakeholders, and deliver value from day one.

Additional Information

Why Join Us?

• Work in a mission-led organisation making a tangible impact on global food and consumer safety.
• Be part of a collaborative, purposeful team that recognises and celebrates contribution.
• Enjoy varied, high-visibility work with room to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Hybrid working, competitive salary and benefits, and opportunities for professional development across the wider LGC Group.

Equal opportunities

At LGC, we foster a culture of inclusion and collaboration. We believe that diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer and offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.

For more information about us, please visit

#scienceforasaferworld