Assistant Finance Business Partner — Research Grants

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave (38 days pro rata)

Flexible working opportunities

Generous pension scheme

Staff discounts

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is looking for an Assistant Finance Business Partner to provide financial support to Schools, ensuring external research and doctoral funding meets sponsor terms. The role involves analysis, reporting, accruals, and collaborating across multiple Schools.

You will work under a Finance Business Partner in the Faculty of Health, contributing to budgeting, forecasting and financial controls within a dynamic university setting.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of financial procedures gained through qualifications or work experience.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and communicate financial information to non-specialists.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with strong customer service.
• High level of computer literacy and experience with Excel/MS Office.
• Strong numerical skills and pattern recognition.
• Analytical, problem solving and attention to detail.
• Team player with flexible approach and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work proactively to multiple deadlines with initiative.
• Experience in responding to enquiries with a customer focus.
• Ability to gain trust and respect among colleagues.
• Confidence to challenge and adapt to new circumstances.
• Experience with adapting skills to new tasks.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial support and advice to Principal Investigators and staff for post‑award accounts.
• Liaise with internal and external sources to provide financial information via briefings and reports.
• Assist with staff approvals and cost distributions for funded posts.
• Analyze project accounts to identify variances and take remedial action.
• Prepare financial statements for externally funded projects with school/HR teams.
• Assist in accruals for month-end reporting.
• Review procedures and controls to minimise financial risk and ensure efficiency.
• Disseminate best practice and sponsor information to Faculty/Schools.
• Provide auditors with information for audits of externally funded projects.
• Plan tasks to deadlines including sponsor and university reporting requirements.
• Lead or contribute to project teams to achieve objectives.
• Demonstrate commitment to Sheffield Professional Framework in daily work.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade.

Skills

Financial procedures

Financial analysis

Excel

Communication

Numerical skills

Attention to detail

Team player

Time management

Customer service

Trust and ethics

Problem solving

Education

CCAB qualification (Desirable)

Tools

SAP

MS Office/Excel

Job description

The University of Sheffield is looking for an Assistant Finance Business Partner to provide financial support to Schools, ensuring external research and doctoral funding meets sponsor terms. The role involves analysis, reporting, accruals, and collaborating across multiple Schools.

You will work under a Finance Business Partner in the Faculty of Health, contributing to budgeting, forecasting and financial controls within a dynamic university setting.