Senior Finance Assistant

Dunhillmedical; Rotherham; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pensions scheme

Flexible working

Discounts

Job summary

University of Sheffield's AMRC team is seeking a proactive finance professional to support grant management and project financials within a busy finance department. You will work closely with the Assistant Finance Business Partner and provide financial guidance across research grants, commercial projects and core budgets.

You will analyse expenditure, forecast budgets, and ensure compliance with funder rules while delivering accurate reporting.

Qualifications

• A good general education, 5 GCSEs grades A-C, including Maths and English.
• Effective team player with a flexible approach.
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills and customer service skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships.
• The ability to analyse, interpret and effectively communicate financial information.
• Ability to gain trust, confidence and respect amongst colleagues.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP) and the financial and accounting processes that underpin these systems.
• Strong Excel skills with the ability to manipulate and interpret financial data.

Responsibilities

• Support the financial management of research grants, commercial projects and core budgets as required, maintaining appropriate and ensuring compliance with University policies and funder requirements.
• Provide financial analysis and reviews of externally funded projects to ensure expenditure is appropriately monitored, forecasted and controlled within approved budgets and sponsor regulations.
• Monitor project performance throughout the project lifecycle, identifying financial risks, compliance issues and funding shortfalls at an early stage, and contributing to solutions that minimise financial and operational risk.
• Work closely with research and professional services colleagues to provide financial advice and guidance.
• Act as a first point of contact for finance-related enquiries through the team's shared mailbox, triaging requests and providing timely, accurate and customer-focused advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist the team with a range of financial and administrative activities, including the creation and maintenance of cost centres, project accounts and supporting records within the University's finance systems.
• Assist with the provision of evidence and relevant information required by internal and external auditors and funding bodies.
• Plan and prioritise workloads to meet competing deadlines, including external sponsor requirements, grant submission deadlines, and monthly and annual University reporting timetables.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of finance processes, systems and procedures, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, accuracy and customer service.

Skills

SAP

Excel

Financial analysis

Communication

Teamwork

Education

GCSEs A-C including Maths & English

Tools

ERP systems (SAP)

Job description

School/Department: Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 05/11/2026

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The Department of Finance is seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated and customer-focused individual to join our team in supporting the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)

The AMRC is a world-leading research centre within the University of Sheffield, working on a diverse portfolio of government-funded grants and commercial projects in partnership with leading organisations across the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors.

We are looking for a proactive team player with a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills, and the ability to analyse, interpret and challenge complex financial information. You will be highly organised, adaptable, and capable of responding effectively to changing priorities while delivering a high standard of customer service.

In this role, you will work closely with colleagues across the Finance team, providing primary support to the Assistant Finance Business Partners. Your responsibilities will include project financial management, supporting the development and submission of complex grant applications, and delivering responsive financial guidance to stakeholders through the team's shared mailbox. You will play a key role in ensuring projects are financially robust, compliant and effectively managed throughout their lifecycle.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your finance business partnering skills within a dynamic and innovative environment that supports cutting-edge research and industry collaboration.

Main duties and responsibilities

Support the financial management of research grants, commercial projects and core budgets as required, maintaining appropriate and ensuring compliance with University policies and funder requirements.

Provide financial analysis and reviews of externally funded projects to ensure expenditure is appropriately monitored, forecasted and controlled within approved budgets and sponsor regulations. Identify potential under or overspends, escalating issues and recommending corrective actions where appropriate.

Monitor project performance throughout the project lifecycle, identifying financial risks, compliance issues and funding shortfalls at an early stage, and contributing to solutions that minimise financial and operational risk.

Work closely with research and professional services colleagues to provide financial advice and guidance.

Act as a first point of contact for finance-related enquiries through the team's shared mailbox, triaging requests and providing timely, accurate and customer-focused advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Assist the team with a range of financial and administrative activities, including the creation and maintenance of cost centres, project accounts and supporting records within the University's finance systems.

Assist with the provision of evidence and relevant information required by internal and external auditors and funding bodies.

Plan and prioritise workloads to meet competing deadlines, including external sponsor requirements, grant submission deadlines, and monthly and annual University reporting timetables.

Contribute to the continuous improvement of finance processes, systems and procedures, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, accuracy and customer service.

Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Stage(s) assessed at

A good general education, 5 GCSEs grades A-C, including Maths and English

Application

Effective team player with a flexible approach

Application/ Interview

Excellent written/verbal communication skills and customer service skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships

Application/ Interview

The ability to analyse, interpret and effectively communicate financial information

Application/ Interview

Ability to work proactively using own initiative, with minimum supervision and to multiple deadlines.

Application /Interview

Ability to gain trust, confidence and respect amongst colleagues

Application/ Interview

Confident with willingness to challenge and be challenged

Application/ Interview

Experience with ERP systems (SAP) and the financial and accounting processes that underpin these systems.

Application/ Interview

Strong Excel skills with the ability to manipulate and interpret financial data.

Application/ Interview

Further Information

Grade

G5

Work arrangement

Full-time

Line manager

Assistant Finance Business Partner

Direct reports

None

Right to work in the UK

This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship under the UK Visa & Immigration points-based system. Information on alternative visa options is available on www.gov.uk.

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place week commencing the 9th November and following this successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interviews are planned to take place on the week commencing the 16th November . If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail]

A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

A commitmen t to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework

A range of generous family-friendly policies

paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

access to menopause support in the workplace

paid time off and support for fertility treatment

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

You will also need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This is usually only available to British citizens who have been living in the UK for the past 5 years.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

• The University of Sheffield
• Western Bank
• Sheffield
• S10 2TN
• [phone]