Finance Team Leader - Grants and Payments

Gleeson Recruitment Ltd; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in Oxford seeks a Finance Team Leader to oversee grants and payments. This role demands financial acumen and leadership skills to manage a diverse portfolio of research projects. Join a dynamic team to support world-class researchers while advancing your finance expertise.

Benefits

30 days holiday

8 days bank holiday

Pension

Travel discounts

Flexible working

Training opportunities

Qualifications

• Recent UK finance experience is essential.
• Qualified by experience, or ACCA/CIMA part qualified/finalist or qualified accepted.
• Solid experience in financial/project management in complex organisations.

Responsibilities

• Leading and line-managing a team of Grants and Projects Officers.
• Overseeing monthly grant reporting processes and financial forecasting.
• Preparing for audits and ensuring full compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Proactive mindset

Attention to detail

Team management

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent experience

Tools

Advanced Excel

Financial systems

Oracle

Job description

Finance Team Leader - Grants and Payments

Oxford Centre - £40,000 - £47,000 + 30 days holiday + 8 days bank holiday + pension + travel discounts

4 days in the Office, 1 day working from home

Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and have a flair for financial management? Would you like to play a pivotal role in supporting world-leading researchers in cutting-edge technology? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

We're looking for a Finance Team Leader to join our client's brilliant finance team in their busy, finance office.

The Role

As a senior member of our busy and supportive Finance Team, which looks after Grants and Payments you'll be responsible for the post-award financial management of a diverse portfolio of research and trading projects - part of over 600 active projects in the department!

This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with world-class academics, support groundbreaking research, and help shape financial best practice within one of Oxfords leading education providers.

You'll lead a small team of Grants and Projects Officers, act as a trusted financial partner to researchers, and take the reins on everything from budget planning and forecasting to compliance, reporting, and process improvement.

You'll also have the chance to contribute at a strategic level, deputising for the Finance Manager when needed and representing the team.

What You'll Be Doing as the Finance Team Leader - Grants and Payments

• Leading and line-managing a team of Grants and Projects Officers
• Providing expert financial advice to academics and project managers
• Overseeing monthly grant reporting processes and financial forecasting
• Developing and delivering training on post-award finance processes
• Playing an active role in university-wide research finance networks
• Helping to shape departmental processes and influence policy
• Preparing for audits, closing out projects, and ensuring full compliance

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• UK resident - recent UK finance experience is essential
• Degree-level education or equivalent experience
• Previous man-management experience is essential and key for this role
• Qualified by experience, or ACCA/CIMA part qualified/finalist or qualified
• Solid experience in financial/project management in a complex organisation
• First-class analytical and problem-solving skills
• A confident communicator, able to engage and influence a range of stakeholders
• Strong leadership, mentoring and organisational skills
• A collaborative, proactive mindset with a keen eye for detail
• Advanced Excel and financial systems skills

Desirable:

• Experience in higher education or research grant finance
• Familiarity with Oracle
• Prior line management or formal supervisory experience
• Knowledge of UK research funding landscape

Why Join Our client?

This role offers a brilliant mix of challenge and reward. You'll be right at the heart of supporting vital research that's solving global challenges - from renewable energy to engineering- while developing your own leadership and financial expertise.

You'll enjoy being part of a friendly, forward-thinking department in the beautiful city of Oxford, with access to a range of benefits including flexible working, training opportunities, and a supportive university-wide finance community.

Location: Oxford

Apply now and bring your financial acumen to a role that really matters.

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