Research Finance Manager

Overview

In this role you lead a team of Research Finance Administrators to oversee the financial administration of a wide portfolio of research and innovation awards. You will strengthen post-award operations, ensure compliance, and provide expert guidance on complex financial matters across diverse funders. You’ll partner with academic departments, funders and colleagues to maintain financial oversight, manage risks, and drive service improvements. This is a chance to help safeguard funding while supporting cutting-edge research and strategic growth.

Pay / Benefits

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
• CARE pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption pay? (explicit) and family leave benefits mentioned: maternity, paternity, adoption pay

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Research Finance Administrators
• Oversee reconciliations, claims, budgets and forecasts for multiple awards
• Ensure compliance with funder terms, institutional policies and regulatory requirements
• Provide expert advice on complex post-award matters to stakeholders
• Monitor awards throughout their lifecycle and address financial risks and operational issues
• Prepare financial reporting and support timely close of awards
• Drive service development and continuous improvement across post-award processes
• Build strong relationships with academic departments, funders and cross-unit colleagues

Key requirements

• Significant experience in post-award financial management within a research-intensive university
• Experience managing a broad portfolio of research and innovation awards from multiple funders
• International awards and foreign currency management experience
• Strong financial and analytical skills: reconciliation, forecasting, variance analysis, issue resolution
• Understanding of funder terms and conditions, institutional policies and regulatory requirements
• Proven people management abilities and teams development
• Ability to explain complex financial information clearly and provide specialist advice
• Strong organisational, digital skills and ability to manage competing priorities
• Proactive approach to process improvement and service delivery

• Strong communication
• Leadership and people management
• Problem-solving mindset
• Reconciliation
• Forecasting
• Variance analysis

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