Senior Research Finance Officer

About Research Finance (RF)

Research Finance manages around £268 million in annual research income from approximately 2,500 active grants and contracts across three faculties. The team oversees all post-award activities and our mission is to empower Researchers to excel on their groundbreaking work by providing professional guidance and exceptional support.

As part of the Directorate of Finance, we will be recognised for providing excellent customer service and accurate, targeted management information in an innovative, resourceful and collaborative manner. We will strive to embrace continuous improvement and partnership working across the university while embracing the values of the University of Manchester.

Role Overview

We are looking for an organised and proactive individual to supervise a small team and help deliver effective research finance services. Reporting to the Research Finance Manager, you will ensure efficient financial planning, management, and monitoring of research grants and contracts, supporting both academics and service users across organisational boundaries.

Key responsibilities:

• Deliver accurate financial reporting and performance analysis
• Oversee regular and precise processing tasks
• Provide high-quality business partnering to academics, including project financial reviews and compliance with funder requirements
• Ensure timely and compliant submission of final claims
• Identify and address financial risks such as budget variances
• Support management with financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for faculty research

By managing finances effectively and ensuring compliance, the Senior Research Finance Officer (SRFO) plays a vital role in enabling groundbreaking research that advances knowledge and benefits society.

Applicants should have:

• Experience of working in a fast-paced finance environment
• Strong communication skills with finance and non-finance colleagues
• A continuous improvement approach and adaptability
• Excellent organisational and numeracy skills
• Commitment to the principles and practice of high-quality customer service and be able to deliver a high-quality and professional service to all users

Employees enjoy:

• Generous annual leave entitlement (23–27 days based on length of continuous service), plus bank holidays
• Additional closure over Christmas/New Year
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Learning and development opportunities
• Season ticket loans, Cycle to Work, Nursery schemes
• Staff discounts and recognition schemes

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Flexible working options available; hybrid arrangements may be considered.

How to Apply:

Reference the job description and person specification when completing your application’s additional information section, as these will inform the shortlisting process.

Please note: We cannot respond to agency enquiries or accept CVs from recruitment agencies. Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

For enquiries on vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Malcolm Spencer

Email: Malcolm.Spencer@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Please quote reference PSX-030866

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.