Institute Manager and Research Compliance Officer

University Of Oxford; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced InSIS Manager & Research Compliance Officer. This role involves managing financial processes, providing administrative support, and ensuring compliance with research regulations. Candidates should have a proven background in research grant administration, exceptional organizational skills, and familiarity with financial systems. The position offers the chance to work within a dynamic research environment supporting esteemed academics.

Qualifications

• Experience in research grant administration within a higher education environment.
• Effective financial administration skills.
• Familiarity with university financial or grant management systems is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage InSIS financial processes and produce forecasts.
• Provide administrative support to the Director and Institute members.
• Plan and deliver events, including seminars and conferences.
• Ensure research compliance and manage grant projects.
• Communicate with stakeholders about project conditions.

Skills

Research grant administration

Financial administration

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Tools

Oracle Financials

X5

IRAMS

Job description

About the role

We are seeking a highly organised, proactive, and detail-oriented InSIS Manager & Research Compliance Officer to play a central role in the financial, administrative, and compliance management of the Institute. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional who enjoys working in a dynamic research environment and supporting world-leading academics.

As InSIS Manager, you will oversee the Institute's financial processes, support research activities, provide high-level administrative coordination, and deliver effective research compliance oversight. You will work closely with the Director, researchers, professional services teams across the School and University, and external partners to ensure the smooth running of the Institute and its research portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Finance Support

• Manage InSIS financial processes, including input into budget setting and monitoring large research project budgets, in line with University and School regulations.
• Produce accurate financial forecasts and reports.
• Liaise with external funders and monitor internal communications to identify potential funding opportunities for the Director of InSIS.
• Work with the School's pre-award team to ensure research application costings comply with funding body requirements.
• Support the completion of funding applications and manage the Institute's research grant portfolio.
• Provide financial guidance to Principal Investigators (PIs), advising on grant expenditure and resolving resource allocation issues between research groups.

Administrative Support

• Provide administrative support to the Director and Institute members.
• Produce reports, service committees, and represent the Institute at School meetings as required.
• Coordinate office and space planning for InSIS.
• Manage special projects and oversee arrangements for academic visitors, including workspace, facilities access, and cost management.
• Act as Secretary to the termly InSIS Committee.

Event Management & Public Relations

• Maintain and update the Institute's external website.
• Plan and deliver meetings, seminars, and conferences, including registrations, venues, catering, accommodation, publicity, and speaker coordination.
• Provide high-quality support to delegates and visitors.

Research Compliance

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of University and Divisional guidance on post‑award management and help implement relevant procedures.
• Work closely with the Finance Manager and Deputy HAF to ensure effective lifecycle management of awards and contracts, using University systems such as X5, Oracle Financials, and IRAMS.
• Arrange and lead meetings with PIs to monitor project setup and progress, ensuring deliverables are on time and within budget.
• Communicate key terms, conditions, and responsibilities to PIs and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate funder reporting, supporting the collation and production of financial and scientific reports.
• Support accurate record‑keeping for audits and assist in departmental audit responses.

About You - Selection Criteria

• Proven experience of research grant administration within a higher education environment or comparable setting.
• Demonstrated experience in effective financial administration.
• Experience with university financial or grant management systems is desirable.