Research Strategy and Services

University of Birmingham; Highgate; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking a Research Grants Finance Officer to play a key role in post-award management. The role includes providing high-quality financial support across multiple research projects, building effective relationships with academic staff, and promoting an inclusive culture. Ideal candidates will hold a degree or equivalent experience, possess strong analytical skills, and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and high standards of service in financial administration. Excellent benefits package included.

Benefits

40 days' paid holiday per year

One paid volunteering day per year

Occupational sick pay

Pension scheme

Subsidised day nurseries

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Experience engaging and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact effectively.
• Proficiency in budget monitoring and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial support throughout the post-award lifecycle.
• Build relationships with academic colleagues for budget optimisation.
• Manage financial claims and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all activities.

Skills

Strong numeracy and literacy skills

Excellent analytical skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Proficient IT skills

Attention to detail

Budget monitoring experience

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Overview

Supporting a healthy work/life balance is important to both our employees and the success of the University. Depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements and welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. The Research Grants Finance Officer plays a key role within Post Award management in the Research Strategy & Services Division. The post holder will support academic colleagues to deliver successful, well‑managed research projects by providing high‑quality financial administration across a portfolio of externally funded awards. This role combines financial administration, problem‑solving, and relationship management. You will work closely with academic project leads, RSSD colleagues, and Professional Services partners, supported by strong training and regular opportunities to learn from experienced peers. You will contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by sharing good practice, streamlining processes, and supporting a consistent, high‑quality service for academics and external partners. The role sits within an established Post Award community that provides mentoring, guidance, and day‑to‑day support across the full post‑award lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, practical, and timely financial support throughout the post‑award lifecycle, including budget monitoring, claims, reporting, and project closure
• Build positive and proactive relationships with academic colleagues and project managers, supporting budget optimisation and funder compliance
• Manage financial claims, reporting, and monitoring to ensure accuracy and timeliness
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, simplify processes, and enhance service delivery
• Share good practice across Post Award teams and contribute to a collaborative working culture
• Monitor monthly KPIs and proactively resolve issues
• Support preparation for internal and external audits
• Liaise with external funders to provide financial assurance and clarify processes
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, acting as a role model
• Personally model the University's values, including those in the Strategic Framework and Birmingham Professional

Qualifications

• Undertake other duties as required by the Post Award leadership team
• Degree‑level education or equivalent relevant professional experience
• Strong numeracy and literacy skills, with the ability to analyse and present data clearly
• Experience engaging and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
• Experience improving processes, service quality, or efficiency
• Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail
• Budget monitoring and financial reporting experience
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Office; excellent Excel skills are essential
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• High levels of self‑motivation, accountability, and ability to meet deadlines under pressure
• Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 and commitment to fair and inclusive practice

Desirable

• Knowledge of the UK research funding ecosystem and key research funders

Core Competencies / Transferable Skills

• Prioritise and schedule work to meet deadlines
• Set quality standards across a wide range of tasks
• Contribute to written guidance and documentation
• Work independently within established procedures
• Anticipate and identify issues
• Suggest and implement improvements
• Facilitate and communicate change effectively
• Balance priorities to maximise quality and efficiency
• Develop an understanding of how your role contributes to University success
• Show interest in the wider organisation and share knowledge with others
• Build and maintain effective working relationships
• Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrate collaborative working at all times

Benefits

• 40 days' paid holiday per year
• One paid volunteering day per year
• Occupational sick pay
• A pension scheme
• Three high‑quality subsidised day nurseries

Background

The University of Birmingham has been part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years and is recognised as a leading global university. We aim to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.
We are committed to developing our staff through the sector‑leading Birmingham Professional Programme, which provides development opportunities for all professional services staff. With almost 5,000 professional services roles across a wide range of functions in Edgbaston and our Dubai campus, there are extensive career development opportunities. We believe diversity is a source of strength that underpins innovation, debate, and the exchange of ideas. We warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is central to who we are and how we work.

You will also receive a generous benefits package, including:
40 days' paid holiday per year
One paid volunteering day per year
Occupational sick pay
A pension scheme
Three high‑quality subsidised day nurseries

The University is located in leafy Edgbaston with excellent transport links, including main bus routes and an on‑site train station. Our campus offers a state‑of‑the‑art sports centre with a pool, shops, cafés, an art gallery, museum, and botanical gardens.

Background – The University has an ambitious vision to build on the success of REF2021 by continuing to transform its research performance across outputs, income, impact, and policy influence.