Research and Partnerships Finance Officer

UWE Bristol is one of the largest universities in the South-West and one of the largest employers in the Bristol region. We currently have a great opportunity for the right candidate to join our Finance, Estates and Corporate Services team (FECS), working closely with colleagues across the University and gaining valuable experience in a large organisation.

About the vacancy: The Finance Business Partnering team within FECS provides financial reporting, review and advice to the University’s Colleges and Professional Services, working closely with leaders in the Colleges Service leaders to help them and the University make decisions on the provision of outstanding teaching and research, plan future development and activities, whilst meeting the financial and other challenges that the Higher Education sector faces.

The Research and Partnerships Finance Officers’ work is integral to the work of the University as it seeks to grow its research and partnerships activities in the UK and overseas. The role is to support Colleges in monitoring and claiming eligible research costs, and ensuring Partnership Income is correctly identified and agreed with UK and International education partners.

The work is not only monitoring and reporting. It requires understanding and interpreting guidance and agreements and having regular discussions with colleagues within and external to the University. The position is ideal for those seeking careers in finance in a large, complex organisation, knowing that they are supported by a strong team of colleagues at various stages in their own career development.

About you: To succeed in this role you are someone who gives strong attention to detail, has good communication skills and an ability to manage and prioritise work to meet competing deadlines. You are able to interpret documents of differing complexities to identify the eligibility of transactions for funding. You are keen to work, and play a full part, in a supportive team that provides service to the whole University.

Where is this role based? This post is based at our lively Frenchay campus where we have invested in the latest facilities and resources to give both our staff and students access to everything they need to succeed. We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in Bristol, one of the UK’s most exciting and forward-thinking cities, we are regionally embedded and globally connected, with an established network of employer and academic partners.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development. We are proud to be part of a vibrant, multicultural city that celebrates diversity; we’re always looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us. Our people are our strength, and diversity enhances our creativity and leads to better decision-making and problem-solving. Bring your talent and ambition to our growing community and find yourself in a stimulating and supportive environment where you’ll thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area of the organisation; however, all appointments are made strictly on individual merit. As a Disability Confident employer, we welcome applications from those who identify as having a disability.

This is a full-time permanent post working for 37 hours per week. (We expect the successful applicant to cover a minimum of 0.8 FTE in order to ensure continuity of support stakeholders.) The University’s normal practice is that new appointments will be made at the starting point of the grade unless it is possible to demonstrate substantial appropriate experience.

The position is campus-based, primarily at Frenchay Campus, and you will typically be visiting other UWE campuses as part of your work. FECS has adopted a hybrid way of working and therefore we look forward to seeing you on campus 2-3 days a week, at least. Exact days will be agreed with your line manager; some flexibility will be helpful to meeting business needs.

Right-to-Work requirements: We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role under the Home Office Skilled Worker visa route. Candidates must therefore be able to provide their own right to work in the UK. Should you be shortlisted you will be asked to provide your right to work documents at your interview. Please refer to the Home Office Right to Work Checklist which provides details of which documents are acceptable. Please note that UWE does not cover any visa or health surcharge cost.

Advice to applicants: We’d love to hear from you - if you are excited about this opportunity please complete our application form as soon as possible. Tell us how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role by describing how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description, and include specific examples wherever possible. Once we have completed shortlisting we will let you know the outcome of your application by email, so please check your inbox for updates.