Finance Manager (Research and Development)

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Exeter; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a finance professional to oversee financial operations in their Research and Development department. The role involves managing R&D funding, providing financial advice to clinical teams, and ensuring compliance with internal and external standards. Ideal candidates will have relevant finance qualifications and experience in healthcare finance. This full-time position in Exeter offers a structured work pattern of 37.5 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Experience in finance management within a healthcare or similar environment.
• Ability to interpret complex financial information.
• Experience working with NHS funding and grants is ideal.

Responsibilities

• Oversee finance operations within the R&D Directorate.
• Manage R&D funding, ensuring processes are robust and compliant.
• Provide financial assistance to R&D teams and contribute to corporate reporting.
• Prepare internal and external financial accounts and returns.

Skills

Financial management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Relevant finance qualification

Job description

About Us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world‑class care to our local communities.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more

Role Summary

The Research and Development department at Royal Devon manages multi‑million pound research infrastructures and grant funding supporting the Trust’s cutting edge portfolio of clinical trials and studies across a breadth of health conditions. We are looking for an experienced finance professional to join our team to help to continually grow and manage our research portfolio, you will also work with the Trust’s clinical researchers providing finance advice and support, and will also support the Trust’s commercial research portfolio. This role will provide the post holder with varied experience across NHS, DHSC, University and life sciences finance with an opportunity to also work closely with the Trust’s management accounts team.

About the Role

The Research and Development (R&D) Directorate is entirely funded with external income which comes from multiple sources. This changes year on year and throughout the year related to direct patient activity, commercial and non‑commercial research grants, Department of Health and Social Care Excess Treatment Costs and National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) infrastructure and strategic funding.

The post holder will:

• Oversee the finance team within the Research and Development (R&D) Directorate ensuring financial information is processed in accordance with internal Trust procedures and standing financial instructions and external requirements of the NIHR, Charity and Life Sciences commercial partners.
• Provide comprehensive support for the management of R&D funding, which will include ensuring there are robust processes in place for the management of R&D finance including commercial and non‑commercial income projection, activity costing, cost recovery and funding distribution across the whole Trust and managing highly complex enquiries in relation to these.
• Work closely with the R&D Director and Associate Directors, Lead Research Nurse and Matron and Senior R&D Manager to provide financial assistance and advice as required to the R&D professional services and clinical teams and contribute to corporate reporting including to the Trust Board and external NIHR funders and providing strategic and business planning advice to the senior R&D team.
• Prepare and complete internal Trust and external accounts and returns, ensuring this meets internal and external timescales and legal requirements, interpreting these where necessary.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. 9-5

Interview Date: 24th November 2025

For further information please contact: Helen Quinn, Research and Development Director [e-mail] or Elizabeth Gordon, Lead Research Nurse [e-mail] for further information

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and ‘At Risk’ status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

TheRoyal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trustwas established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both theRoyal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation TrustandNorthern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.