Post Award Finance Manager (
Job Number
25000438)
Research and Innovation Services
Grade 7: - £22,799.40 - £27,097.80 which is pro rata the full time salary of £37,999 - £45,163 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Part Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 21
Closing Date
: 06-Apr-2025, 10:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
The Role and Department
Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides Durham’s academic and professional services community with guidance, expert advice, and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice, and supporting professional development.
Within Research and Innovation Services (RIS), our Research Operations Team provides support and services for our academics working across the research and innovation life cycle, focusing on applying for and managing funding and providing professional advice on collaborations and contracts.
As Post Award Finance Manager, you will join the Post Award section of Research Operations leading on grant administration for a portfolio of high-risk and high-value projects across the University.
You will have the following key responsibilities;
* The financial administration of individual projects, including preparation of funder financial reports, monitoring project progress, ensuring compliance with funder terms, tracking over or underspends and providing guidance on funder terms and conditions.
* Provide advice and guidance to Principal Investigators and their teams on a range of project funding matters.
* Provide advice to Senior Management on project risks and suggest mitigating actions.
* Provide training to new and existing staff on key funder terms.
* Actively participate in regional and national networks and working groups to represent Durham and share best practices across the sector in research project management, ensuring that Durham is actively engaged in relevant consultations and well-positioned to understand and, where appropriate, influence funder policy.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
* 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
* The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
* We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
* No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
* There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
* Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
* On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
* Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
* The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
* Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
* A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
* If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
What You Need To Demonstrate When You Apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Essential Criteria
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Qualifications/Experience
* Experience of the financial management of Post-Award aspects of research projects.
* Appropriate accountancy qualification (minimum full AAT) OR significant relevant experience.
* Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements.
* Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
* Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
* Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
* Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications (mainly excel).
* Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
* Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, with specific focus on external funding within an HEI.
* Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
Desirable Criteria
* Knowledge of Worktribe and ORACLE Financials.
* Knowledge of UKRI (including Innovate) and EC Research Grant Funding policies.
* Knowledge and experience of contracting.
How To Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What You Need To Submit
* A CV: and
* A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.
Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information, don't hesitate to get in touch with Leila Cole Senior Research Finance Compliance Manager, at leila.e.cole@durham.ac.uk
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery/Development
* Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
* Review and look for ways to improve Post Award systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University’s frameworks and regulations.
* Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to grant terms and conditions, in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.
* Manage the delivery of funder financial and deliverables reporting across the University to a high standard.
* Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from staff, students and others who you work with and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
* Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.
* Look for ways to improve processes, techniques and outputs/results across all areas of your work.
* Identify any learning needs that should be met by Post Award and design activities and arrange any training.
Planning and Organisation
* Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by Post Award.
* Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your team.
* Seek feedback from staff, students and other key stakeholders so that Post Award is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.
* Analyse data on the level of service being provided by Post Award to recommend areas for future improvement.
* Meet the development needs of external funders with respect to financial reporting, audits and compliance standards.
Communication/Liaison
* Provide advice and share guidance with academics and other PSS staff to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.
* Use your Post Award expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
* Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.
* Use your Post Award expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders.
* Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
* Any other reasonable duties.
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