Research Finance Coordinator

Role Description

Department

Staff and students in the Faculty of Social Sciences collaborate across disciplines to achieve social change for public good. In the face of deep, urgent societal challenges, social science education and research plays a critical role in helping us to identify key societal challenges and find lasting solutions.

York is the world's first Human Rights City and we share its commitment to building a fairer, more sustainable and empowered society. We work with policymakers, businesses and NGOs at a local, national and international level to ensure our research has real-world impact.

As a faculty, we are dedicated to championing equality, diversity and inclusion and all of our departments hold either a bronze or silver Athena Swan award. With a human-led approach, we examine today's world to ensure we have the right tools to shape a better tomorrow.

Role

This is a new position which has been introduced to support the financial coordination and management of research, with an initial focus on the Older Adults' Social Care Research group (OSCAR). It is a fixed term contract for two years in the first instance.

In this role, you will ensure the effective management of research finances across a complex portfolio of grants. You will be responsible for developing accurate records of staff allocations to research projects, understanding cost recovery, and managing day-to-day financial administration. A key part of your work will involve liaising with HR, Finance, and Research Operations to manage staffing changes and produce detailed financial reports that track research income and performance against targets. You will also review existing processes to identify improvements and prepare for the introduction of the University’s new HR and Finance system.

The role will be line managed by the Head of Faculty Research Operations (Social Sciences).

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Knowledge of higher education research, including the funding landscape and the requirements of major sponsors of research
• Experience working in an administrative and/or financial role in a large, complex organisation
• Excellent numerical skills, showing meticulous attention to detail when dealing with finances
• Experience of ensuring compliance with financial policies and regulations, and providing eligible evidence as required (e.g., audits) 
• Good working knowledge of financial systems and the ability to adapt to other systems, particularly those with a financial or research grants administration basis (e.g., Worktribe).
• Proven skills and ability in managing budgets, expenditure monitoring and forecasting, and production of detailed, bespoke finance and management reports which can be readily understood by a wide range of stakeholders
• Able to problem solve, identifying practical solutions to multi-faceted issues, escalating internally and externally to relevant stakeholders as required. 
• Able to effectively organise and prioritise work and follow procedures in order to produce work to a high standard to required deadlines

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Ed Kirby (Head of Faculty Research Operations - Social Sciences) - ed.kirby@york.ac.uk. 

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview.  Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.