Finance Business Partner (18-month contract) in Oxford

This is an exciting opportunity to join the costings team for an Oxfordshire organisation as a finance business partner. The purpose of the role is to cover for a long-term absence over the next 18 months, liaising with internal stakeholders and identifying cost efficiencies.

As the successful candidate, your duties will include:

• Produce and submit the TRAC return, ensuring full compliance with the latest OfS requirements.
• Maintain robust systems and records to ensure full compliance with current OfS TRAC and Full Economic Costing (FEC) best-practice standards.
• Maintain and enhance the complex Excel model used for the TRAC return, and regularly review overhead recovery levels and pricing for external teaching, research, and commercial or collaborative contracts.
• Work with stakeholders and finance colleagues to review costing and pricing practices for externally funded research, enterprise projects, consultancy, and contract research—covering both pre-award costing and post-award expenditure to ensure compliance with funder terms.
• Partner with colleagues across stakeholders and Finance to design and implement new processes, approval routes, and guidance to support effective costing and pricing of research and other income-generating activities, drawing on sector best practice.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and the finance team to develop or refine costing and pricing models for research infrastructure and facilities to maximise cost recovery and support long-term sustainability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and Finance teams to prepare and coordinate workload planning and review outcomes.
• Work closely with Heads of Finance and Planning to produce the annual Surplus Analysis, providing detailed insight into income, expenditure, and surplus/(deficit) across all income streams.
• Prepare the Surplus Analysis paper and attend senior leadership committee meetings where the results are reviewed.
• Prepare papers for the Financial Sustainability Steering Group (FSSG), lead discussions on processes and findings, interpret key data insights, and document required follow-up actions.
• Prepare papers for, and participate in, Finance and Resources committee meetings as part of TRAC governance, as well as supporting other ad-hoc costing projects.
• Represent the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on TRAC and FEC matters in internal and external working or user groups.
• Act as the primary liaison between Finance & Legal Services, the OfS, Research Councils, and other external bodies, as well as internal stakeholders, on all FEC-related matters.
• Undertake any additional duties or ad-hoc projects appropriate to the role as required.

To be the successful candidate you will need:

• CCAB-qualified or part-qualified accountant with strong experience in costing, pricing, and applying Full Economic Costing (FEC) principles.
• High level of numeracy, budgeting capability, and advanced IT proficiency, including Excel modelling and financial systems.
• Skilled in analysing, interpreting and presenting complex information clearly for both finance and non-finance audiences.
• Able to develop practical, innovative solutions and exercise sound judgement while working independently to tight deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and work collaboratively across diverse groups.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Experience supporting or leading change initiatives within complex environments.

As the successful candidate, you will receive:

• 38 days annual leave including bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• 1 day in office per week, flexible hybrid policy
• Discounted access to sports and gym facilities.
• Discounted travel options to support sustainable and affordable commuting.
• Access to the discount card scheme.
• On-site nursery provision.