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- Tasks: Lead a finance team managing grants and payments for diverse research projects.
- Company: Join a leading education provider in Oxford, supporting world-class researchers.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible working, travel discounts, and a supportive community.
- Why this job: Make an impact on global challenges while developing your leadership skills in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education or equivalent experience; previous management experience is essential.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with academics and influence financial best practices.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 47000 £ per year.
Oxford Centre - £40,000 - £47,000 + 30 days holiday + 8 days bank holiday + pension + travel discounts
4 days in the Office, 1 day working from home
Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and have a flair for financial management? Would you like to play a pivotal role in supporting world-leading researchers in cutting-edge technology? If so, we'd love to hear from you!
We're looking for a Finance Team Leader to join our client's brilliant finance team in their busy finance office.
The Role
As a senior member of our busy and supportive Finance Team, which looks after Grants and Payments, you'll be responsible for the post-award financial management of a diverse portfolio of research and trading projects - part of over 600 active projects in the department! This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with world-class academics, support groundbreaking research, and help shape financial best practice within one of Oxford's leading education providers.
You'll lead a small team of Grants and Projects Officers, act as a trusted financial partner to researchers, and take the reins on everything from budget planning and forecasting to compliance, reporting, and process improvement. You'll also have the chance to contribute at a strategic level, deputising for the Finance Manager when needed and representing the team.
What You'll Be Doing as the Finance Team Leader - Grants and Payments
- Leading and line-managing a team of Grants and Projects Officers
- Providing expert financial advice to academics and project managers
- Overseeing monthly grant reporting processes and financial forecasting
- Developing and delivering training on post-award finance processes
- Playing an active role in university-wide research finance networks
- Helping to shape departmental processes and influence policy
- Preparing for audits, closing out projects, and ensuring full compliance
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- UK resident - recent UK finance experience is essential
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience
- Previous man-management experience is essential and key for this role
- Qualified by experience, or ACCA/CIMA part qualified/finalist or qualified
- Solid experience in financial/project management in a complex organisation
- First-class analytical and problem-solving skills
- A confident communicator, able to engage and influence a range of stakeholders
- Strong leadership, mentoring and organisational skills
- A collaborative, proactive mindset with a keen eye for detail
- Advanced Excel and financial systems skills
Desirable:
- Experience in higher education or research grant finance
- Familiarity with Oracle
- Prior line management or formal supervisory experience
- Knowledge of UK research funding landscape
Why Join Our Client?
This role offers a brilliant mix of challenge and reward. You'll be right at the heart of supporting vital research that's solving global challenges - from renewable energy to engineering - while developing your own leadership and financial expertise.
You'll enjoy being part of a friendly, forward-thinking department in the beautiful city of Oxford, with access to a range of benefits including flexible working, training opportunities, and a supportive university-wide finance community.
Location: Oxford
Apply now and bring your financial acumen to a role that really matters.
At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.
By applying you will be registered as a candidate with Gleeson Recruitment Limited. Our Privacy Policy is available on our website and explains how we will use your data.
Finance Team Leader - Grants and Payments employer: Gleeson Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Gleeson Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Team Leader - Grants and Payments
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the UK research funding landscape. Understanding the nuances of grants and payments in this sector will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the finance and research sectors, especially those who have experience in higher education. This can provide you with valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous man-management experiences in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams, resolved conflicts, and contributed to process improvements in financial management.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your advanced Excel skills and any financial systems you’ve used. Being able to demonstrate your technical proficiency during discussions can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Team Leader - Grants and Payments
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial management, particularly in grants and payments. Emphasise any leadership roles you've held and specific achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting research and your ability to lead a team. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed budgets or improved financial processes in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience with financial systems like Oracle. Make sure to mention your proficiency in Excel, as this is crucial for the role.
Showcase Your Collaborative Mindset: Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively by providing examples of how you've engaged with stakeholders in past positions. Highlight any experience you have in training others or contributing to team success.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gleeson Recruitment Ltd
✨Showcase Your Financial Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in financial management, particularly in grants and project finance. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed budgets or improved financial processes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Finance Team Leader, you'll need strong leadership abilities. Share instances where you've led a team, mentored colleagues, or influenced stakeholders. This will show your capability to manage the Grants and Projects Officers effectively.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Research Landscape
Understanding the UK research funding landscape is crucial for this role. Brush up on current trends and challenges in research finance, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to shaping departmental processes.
✨Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers
Engage your interviewers by preparing thoughtful questions about the finance team's goals, challenges, and how they collaborate with researchers. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
