Circular Economy Innovation Finance Administrator

Irish Manufacturing Research Ltd.; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 47,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

5 weeks holidays

Employer pension contribution

Job summary

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is seeking a Circular Economy Innovation (CEI) Finance Administrator on a 23-month contract. The role supports IMR’s cascade funds, distributing grant funding to SMEs and managing the full funding cycle from funds receipt to grant distribution.

You will work with the Finance Manager and CEI team to ensure accuracy, compliance with funder terms, and timely reporting, including audits and procurement activities.

Qualifications

• Three years’ experience in a similar Financial Administration role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Power BI).
• Experience in grant administration is strongly desirable.
• Familiarity with State aid and de minimis rules is desirable.
• Experience dealing with SMEs or external grantees is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Administer the distribution of cascade grant funding to successful grantees.
• Guide grantees through the budget process and advise on eligible costs.
• Review grantee claims for accuracy and compliance with grant rules.
• Maintain a complete audit trail for each grantee file.
• Prepare and submit approved claims to funders for reimbursement.
• Manage the full funding cycle across multiple tranches.
• Prepare monthly expenditure analysis and monitor spend vs budget.
• Support financial forecasting and reconciliation for cascade funds.
• Act as primary contact for grantees and the CEI team on finance queries.
• Assist with internal and external audits.
• Manage procurement activities in line with public sector guidelines.
• Support CEI Project Managers with grant applications.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Organisational skills

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Sage 50

Job description

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is a leading Research and Technology Organisation providing a portfolio of operations research, training, and consultancy services to Industry across the following four thematic pillars:Digitisation, Sustainable Manufacturing, Design for Manufacturing, and Robotics and Automation. As a leading manufacturing Research & Technology Organisation (RTO) with labs and industrial pilot lines in Dublin and Mullingar, IMR works with leading global and indigenous brands todemystify andderisknew and emerging technologies and todeliverhigh-impact collaborative research and services to enable advanced manufacturing for a broad range of clients across Ireland’s manufacturing network.

What IMR offers:

• An opportunity to contribute to the national economic growth agenda
• A competitive salary and pension
• A friendly and flexible working environment with State-of-the-art Innovation Centres
• Lots of diversity in terms of people, technology, projects and ideas
• The opportunity to join a dynamic and committed team
• Interaction with a diverse range of industrial clients and state partners

The Role:

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is seeking a Circular Economy Innovation (CEI) Finance Administrator on a 23-month contract. This role will support the finance administration of IMR’s growing portfolio of circular economy cascade funds.

Cascade funding allows IMR to distribute grant funding to enterprises, mainly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), to deliver circular economy innovation projects. IMR administers the full funding cycle on behalf of its funders, including; receipt of funds, distribution to grantees, claims review, audit and reconciliation.

The CEI Finance Administrator will report to the Finance Manager. The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of Circular Economy Innovation and the wider CEI team. The CEI Finance Administrator will ensure all financial and reporting obligations are met in line with funder terms, grant rules and national guidelines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer the distribution of cascade grant funding to successful grantees.
• Guide grantees through the budget process, including setting up budget templates and advising on eligible costs and salary calculations.
• Review grantee claims (initial, interim and final) and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance with grant rules.
• Maintain a complete audit trail for each grantee file, keeping digital and physical records in line with national and European regulations.
• Prepare and submit reviewed and approved claims to funders for reimbursement and redistribute received funds to grantees.
• Manage the full funding cycle across multiple tranches, while supporting budget queries and onboarding for follow-on applicants.
• Prepare monthly expenditure analysis and monitor spend against budget for each cascade fund.
• Support financial forecasting and reconciliation for the cascade funds.
• Act as primary point of contact for grantees and the CEI team on finance-related queries.
• Assist with the preparation and interactions associated with internal and external audits.
• Manage procurement activities in line with public sector procurement guidelines.
• Support the CEI Project Managers with grant application preparation and management.
• Work closely with the Circular Economy Finance Administrator to ensure seamless claim submissions and grant distributions.
• Collaborate with the Finance Manager on other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Required Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of three years' experience in a similar Financial Administration role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, e.g. Excel and Power BI.
• Proficient in the use of accounting software (Sage 50 experience an advantage but not essential).
• Experience in grant administration, strongly desirable.
• Familiarity with State aid and de minimis rules, desirable.
• Experience dealing directly with SMEs or external grantees, desirable.
• Experience reviewing claims against eligibility rules, desirable.
• Access to a vehicle for visits to our Mullingar site from time to time.

Location:

Candidates will be required to be resident in Ireland. IMR offices are situated in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin and Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. This role will be based in our Rathcoole office. We offer a hybrid working model with onsite presence in the office required at least one day per week. Travel between offices and client sites will be required from time to time.

Salary & Benefits:

This position will command a package consisting of basic salary (€47,273 - €49,890 depending on qualifications and experience), employer pension contribution and 5 weeks holidays.

Closing Date:

Closing date for receipt of all applications is noon Tuesday, 27th October 2026. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive sufficient applications. Early application is encouraged.

Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 9th November 2026.

IMR is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We actively promote equity and equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We strive to ensure our recruitment processes are fair, accessible, and free from bias.