Research Grants Finance Officer - Research Strategy and Services Grade 6

Research Grants Finance Officer – Research Strategy and Services – 106424 – Grade 6

Position Details

Location:

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
Salary: £33,002 – £35,608 per annum, potential progression to £39,906
Grade: 6

Employment type:

Full‑time, Permanent
Closing date: 19 January 2026
Positions available: 3

Our Offer to You

The University of Birmingham is a globally recognised institution with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We offer a generous benefits package including 40 days paid holiday, a voluntary day a year, occupational sick pay, a pension scheme and subsidised day nurseries. Flexible working arrangements are welcomed and discussed on a case‑by‑case basis. Professional development is supported through the Birmingham Professional programme, and you will have opportunities to grow across the University’s wide range of professional services.

Background

The Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD) is a new Professional Services department created to transform research performance across outputs, income, impact and policy influence. The RSSD provides a sector‑leading approach to research strategy and support, building on the success of  2021.

Role Summary

This role is part of the Post‑Award management team within the RSSD. You will support academic colleagues with financial administration across externally funded research projects, ensuring claims, reports and forecasts are accurate, timely and compliant with funder requirements. The post combines financial administration, problem‑solving and relationship‑management and offers close collaboration with academics, RSSD staff and Professional Services partners.

Main Duties

• Provide clear, practical and timely financial support throughout the post‑award lifecycle for a defined portfolio of project grants, including budget monitoring, claims, reporting and project closure.
• Build positive and proactive working relationships with academic colleagues and their project managers to help them understand financial information, optimise budgets and comply with funder terms.
• Manage financial claims, reporting and monitoring for your project portfolio, ensuring accuracy and timeliness using established processes and templates.
• Identify opportunities to simplify steps, improve handovers and support process enhancements within the Post‑Award function.
• Share good practice across the Post‑Award teams and support colleagues, embedding consistent approaches and contributing to a collaborative culture.
• Monitor a range of monthly KPIs for your portfolio and resolve issues proactively.
• Support preparation for internal and external audits, ensuring information is accurate and provided promptly.
• Liaise with external funders to provide financial assurance, clarify processes and support academic colleagues.
• Promote equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Personally model the University’s Values, particularly those in the Strategic Framework and Birmingham Professional.
• Undertake any other duties as required by the Assistant Director/Post‑Award leadership team.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Degree level education (or equivalent qualifications); if no degree, significant relevant financial experience.
• Strong numeracy and literacy, with the ability to write clearly and analyse information and data.
• Knowledge of the UK research funding ecosystem and key research funders (desirable but not essential).
• Experience of engaging and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to build relationships and deliver outcomes.
• Experience in improving processes, service quality and/or efficiency, demonstrating initiative, judgement, resourcefulness and flexibility.
• Excellent analytical skills, able to analyse qualitative and quantitative information and present findings to varied audiences.
• Budgetary monitoring and management, including reporting, identifying issues and resolving them decisively with high attention to detail.
• Proficient IT skills, including the MS Office suite, especially Excel; confidence in learning new skills and software packages.
• Excellent interpersonal and…