TRAC Consultant

Burman Recruitment; Chilton Polden; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an experienced TRAC Consultant for a fully remote, short-term assignment with a UK university. The role involves leading preparations for the TRAC cycle, ensuring compliance, and improving internal processes. Ideal candidates have extensive TRAC experience in higher education and strong analytical skills to deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on TRAC experience within UK Higher Education.
• In-depth understanding of TRAC, TRAC(T), fEC and sector costing guidance.
• Ability to work independently and under tight time frames.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing TRAC methodologies and cost allocation structures.
• Ensuring all cost pools, drivers and TAS outputs are accurate and compliant.
• Providing expert guidance to finance teams and other stakeholders.

Skills

Extensive TRAC experience

Strong analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Excellent communication skills

Job description

We are looking for an experienced TRAC Consultant to support a UK university during a critical stage of its annual Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) cycle. This is a fully remote, short-term assignment ideal for someone with strong sector knowledge who can deliver high-quality outputs at pace.

In this role, you will lead and advise on all aspects of TRAC preparation, including cost pool validation, cost driver review, TAS data processing and model updates. You will work closely with finance teams to ensure the university's TRAC and TRAC(T) returns are robust, compliant, and supported by clear documentation and audit trails. You will also help strengthen internal processes, improve data integrity and provide guidance on best practice in line with OfS, UKRI and TRAC guidance.

Key responsibilities

• Reviewing TRAC methodologies and cost allocation structures
• Ensuring all cost pools, drivers and TAS outputs are accurate, documented and compliant
• Preparing or supporting final TRAC and TRAC(T) submissions
• Advising on improvements to the TRAC model or supporting spreadsheets
• Providing expert guidance to finance teams and other stakeholders
• Strengthening audit trails and responding to TRAC-related queries
• Ensuring deadlines are met and that outputs are clear, high-quality and fully audit-able

Requirements

• Extensive hands‑on TRAC experience within UK Higher Education
• In‑depth understanding of TRAC, TRAC(T), TRAC(R), fEC and sector costing guidance
• Strong analytical and Excel skills, including working with large data sets
• Ability to work independently and deliver high‑quality outputs under tight time frames
• Excellent communication skills and confidence engaging with stakeholders remotely