Senior Research Finance Officer

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Senior Research Finance Officer

The Research Finance Post Awards department, within the Finance Division, is responsible for managing annual research income of around £120 million from a portfolio of around 2,000 live research grant and contract projects with delivery through our three Colleges, funded by organisations ranging from UK/Welsh Government, UK Research Councils, UK & Overseas Charities and UK & Overseas Industrials.

The Finance division has adopted a blended flexible working approach, with staff attending the office at least 2 days a week and remote working for the remaining days, subject to business need requirements.

Reporting to a Research Finance Manager (Line manager), as a Senior Research Finance Officer, you will form strong working relationships with other members of the wider Research team, other Finance colleagues, and academics. Your role’s key purpose is to:

• To supervise and provide training/mentorship to a team of Research Finance Officers.
• To deputise for the Research Finance Managers when required.
• To proactively manage a portfolio of externally funded research and research related projects from acceptance to closure including ensuring the completeness and accuracy of claims and invoices and identifying issues on projects. Post holders will be expected to work independently and without supervision for much of the time.
• To demonstrate a service ethos, building good working relationships with stakeholders (particularly those in academic departments) through close communication and information sharing, and collaborative working.
• To be knowledgeable on funder and University rules to ensure compliance so that all relevant and eligible costs are claimed, and financial clawback and sanctions are avoided. To effectively communicate rules to internal stakeholders

The post is full time, 35 hours per week, and fixed term until 30th November 2024 to cover for an existing member of staff's absence.

Salary: £32,332 to £34,980 per annum (Grade 5)

Standard shift pattern: Monday to Friday

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 37 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), pro rata for part time staff, local pension scheme, blended working (meaning you will be able to work from home for some of your time), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 14 February 2024

Closing date: Sunday, 3 March 2024

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities

• To deputise for the Research Finance Managers in their absence to include: checking and approving financial claims and reports on behalf of the University, managing the work of other staff within the Post-Awards Unit and delegating tasks as appropriate to their grade.
• To provide professional advice and guidance on Research Project Finance processes and procedures to internal and external customers, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring complex issues are understood.
• To supervise and motivate a team of staff, supporting them in the effective execution of their roles to accomplish key objectives.
• Develop and deliver training within Research Finance Post Awards and the wider Finance community.
• To supervise the periodic review of project accounts to ensure proper financial control and management.
• To manage the finance of complex research/service projects/programmes and establish working relationships with College/School/Institute administrators and managers. 
• To maintain an effective working knowledge of the rules and terms and conditions of funding organisations and to support colleagues and Academic staff in their contractual obligations in relation to financial management of grants and contracts.
• To assist in preparing reports for and participating in external and internal audits and reviews.
• To oversee the timely reconciliation and closure of expired projects.
• Collaborate with others in order to make recommendations for development of   established.
• To actively and positively represent the work of the Post-Awards Unit and the Department at internal networking and information-sharing events such as the Research Administrators’ Forum.
• To liaise with other Professional Services Departments on issues such as VAT, Legal  matters, etc.
• To contribute to the continuing development and improvement of the Department’s services and systems.

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Perform other duties on occasion which are not included above, but which are consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Your application will be assessed against the following essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please copy and paste this section into a new document and give clear examples of how you can evidence meeting each criteria by writing under each one. You can draw on elements from any aspect of your life (e.g. work, home, education/qualifications or community life) as long as you focus on their relevance to the role.

Please save your supporting statement in a separate document with the title [YOURNAME - 18240BR- JOB TITLE] and attach it to your application in the recruitment system.

Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test) where applicable.

Essential Criteria

Job Category

Accountancy & Finance, Management & Executive