Finance Operations Associate

Responsibilities

• Keep ARIA’s finance engine moving: assist in the day-to-day running of procure-to-pay processes, help ensure suppliers are onboarded, invoices are processed, approvals move smoothly, and payments are accurate and on time. Support scientists, engineers, programme teams and partners so they can focus on R&D while finance operations are thoughtful, reliable and well run.
• Be a trusted first point of contact for finance operations: manage the finance inbox and respond to queries from colleagues, suppliers and partners with clarity, care and pace. Act as an ambassador for the Finance team to ensure every interaction is helpful, human and well owned—whether resolving supplier questions, helping colleagues learn new processes, or identifying recurring questions that could be improved.
• Build the knowledge and systems that help us scale: work with the Finance Operations Manager to refine and professionalise the internal finance knowledge base, guidance, templates and process notes. Ensure ways of working are easy to understand, consistently applied and high quality, turning repeat questions or manual workarounds into clear, useful resources that help the organisation move faster and with confidence.
• Improve how finance work gets done: support process improvement projects across finance operations, including implementing new tools and apps and using AI and automation to reduce manual work. Collaborate with the Finance Operations Manager, Head of Finance Operations and the wider Operations team to identify friction, test better approaches, and build simple, scalable solutions that balance ARIA’s startup energy with the duty and transparency expected of a publicly funded organisation.

• High Autonomy:
  Do not micromanage; take full accountability, proactively identifying bottlenecks and helping build solutions before problems escalate.
• Agile & Adaptable:
  Thrive in environments where the "right way" isn’t always written down.
• Detail Obsessed:
  Understand that in a high-stakes agency, small details and error-free numbers build credibility.
• Organised and responsive:
  Manage a busy inbox or task list, prioritise sensibly, keep people updated and follow work through to completion.
• Systems confident and curious:
  Pick up new tools quickly and are comfortable using systems, spreadsheets and structured data to organise, track and improve work.
• Good judgement and integrity:
  Understand that finance work involves confidential information, public money and important controls. Be thoughtful about when to move quickly and when to escalate.
• Collaborative and low ego:
  Enjoy working with others, contribute to the basics, and value brilliance without pretension.
• This is an entry level role, with preferable prior experience in fast-paced, start-up/scale-up environments (via a job or internship).
• You do not need to be a technical expert, but you are curious about how AI, automation and better workflows can remove friction from repetitive tasks while maintaining good controls.
• Exposure to procure-to-pay, accounts payable, supplier management, expenses, procurement, invoicing or finance systems.
• Confidence with Excel or Google Sheets, including basic formulas, data checks and organising information clearly.
• An interest in science, technology, R&D, public purpose organisations or ARIA’s mission.
• Interest in building towards a finance qualification over time, although this is not required for the role.