THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAMRecruitment Role Profile Form

Job Title: Research Finance Manager

School/Department: Research & Graduate Services

Salary: £37,768 - £46,414 per annum, depending on skills and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Job Family and Level: Administrative, Professional & Managerial Level 5

Contract Status: This is a full-time, permanent post

Hours of Work: 36.25 (full-time)

Location: Mainly Kings Meadow Campus but various from time to time

Reporting to: Assistant Director (Research Operations)

Purpose of the New Role:

Through direct line management and supervision of Post Award Team Leader provide leadership and direction of the Post Award team (currently 9 staff) to provide effective and efficient operational research management service support for the University’s research portfolio.

To take lead responsibility for delivering compliance with funder terms and conditions including professional fit-for-purpose financial management and reporting for all research awards

Through the team provide effective and timely financial advice to principal investigators, faculty & school finance staff and the wider research community as necessary

Manage the University’s research working capital investment by minimising the outstanding level of working capital and maximising cash recovery

Be responsible for the accurate financial reporting of research working progress carrying out appropriate reconciliations throughout the year and during the close-down of financial years.

Work closely with the Financial Management Team as necessary to ensure compliance with financial regulations, external reporting and requirements for research financial planning, budgeting, management accounting, forecasting and other financial reporting.

Design, develop & implement financial & other management reporting as required from time-to-time

Work with other team leaders within Research Operations and the wider RGS team to develop customer focussed services delivering right first time services to the wider research community of the University

Main Responsibilities % time per year

1. Through direct line management and supervision of Deputy Research Services Manager provide leadership and direction of the Post Award team through:

50%

Staff leadership and development

Ensure that the post award team achieve high work standards and outputs and add value to the University

Lead and motivate the team including improving the capability of staff Provide development opportunities, coaching and professional support Collaborate and support other colleagues outside the team who are

responsible for some aspects of financial management

Developing and enabling delivery of fit-for-purpose post award research management

Oversee effective budget management and financial control of all research projects

Contribute to the strategic direction and successful performance of RGS across a range of key performance indicators

Support financial and business activities of RGS with particular emphasis on research project unique requirements

2. Manage the University’s research working capital investment by minimising the outstanding level of working capital and maximising cash recovery

Prepare relevant financial and organisation information to ensure compliance with funder terms & conditions

Propose & develop new post award team structures as required Ensure high quality service delivery by the post award team on an on-

going basis and ensuring continuous improvement Keep up to date with accounting, regulatory and University

developments to ensure compliance

25%

3. Work with other team leaders within Research Operations and the wider RGS team to develop customer focussed services delivering right first time services to the wider research community of the University

Collaborate with RGS Research Operations teams to design and implement improvements to financial processes, leading the process as appropriate

Consult & work closely with other senior colleagues in University research teams and Professional Services and provide expert guidance to inform University-wide research objectives and establish service requirements and priorities

Consult/network/liaise with senior managers in University research teams & Professional Service departments to establish service requirements and priorities

Actively develop effective working relationships with external partners and regulators where appropriate

10%

4. Be responsible for the accurate financial reporting of research working progress carrying out appropriate reconciliations throughout the year and during the close-down of financial years.

Design, develop & implement financial & other ad-hoc management reporting as required from time-to-time

Apply RGS & Financial Management processes & procedures to all research projects including all relevant controls assurance measures.

10%

5. Other responsibilities

Any other duties as appropriate to grade and role

5%

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

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Essential DesirableQualifications/ Education

CCAB qualified or significant experience in a similar or relevant role or experience as detailed below

Skills/Training Proven leadership skills Proven planning and

organisational skills for self and others

Ability to be numerate, to understand financial information and to be able to manipulate data.

Excellent ability to communicate effectively and clearly to people at all levels and with external organisations, and to explain why certain actions have to be taken (or why they cannot be).

Influencing and negotiating skills with senior managers and external stakeholders

Ability to be analytical, and to pay careful attention to detail.

Adept at creative problem-solving Excellent business writing skills Highly proficient IT skills with

Office, financial and other business systems

Ability to be able to work to deadlines and to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies and problems

Ability to define priorities and work flexibly and effectively under pressure to meet demanding and sometimes conflicting deadlines.

Ability to supervise and motivate staff.

Change management skills

Knowledge of:- research higher education sectors-university research structures and procedures

Experience Experience of leading and motivating a professional team

Substantial experience of applying University(research)/organisation rules and regulations, especially financial

Application of financial/business processes and controls

Operation of devolved financial management

Application of project and long-term contract accounting and reporting

A track record of credible engagement with senior management

Knowledge Knowledge of the law in relation to Value Added Tax, and the consequences of non-compliance.

Knowledge of the terms and conditions of the external

Well-developed knowledge and understanding of systems/services and their dependencies across organisational functions

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sponsors who fund research projects, and the consequences of non-compliance with them.

Understanding of UK higher education research funding environment and opportunities

Detailed knowledge of funding partners’ financial systems and processes where appropriate

Decision Making

i) taken independently by the role holderSubstantial autonomy of decisionsLine management of staffOperational day to day decision making across the full range of Pre-Award activityReviewing and critiquing funding application cases and budgetsProvide advice on all aspects of research managementSupervision of Costing & Pricing Manager and both directly & indirectly Research Funding Administrators.Giving advice, finding solutions and troubleshooting on a wide range of problems.Creation and maintenance of general written procedures for Pre-Award.

ii) taken in collaboration with othersRecruitment and training of staff.New policies and significant procedural changesDeveloping, implementing and delivering research awareness trainingProject management activities

iii) referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holderComplaints which cannot be resolved.Intractable problems where School or sponsor does not accept RGS or University positionMajor strategic initiatives and policy conflictsIssues requiring senior management considerationIssues that must be referred under University policies and procedures

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