Project Finance Officer

An exciting opportunity to assume full responsibility for a range of activities which support the financial and operational management of the organisations project portfolio by working closely with grant holders, Business Managers, and Administrators tomaintain and develop an efficient research administration service.

**Client Details**

Based in Oxford, this client is a very well known college which works as part of the University of Oxford.

**Description**

**Key Responsibilities of the Project Finance Officer**:
**Research Awards Process (pre and post award)**:

- Oversee the financial administration of a significant and complex portfolio of research projects working closely with the Business Manager, Administrator, Project Managers, and grant holders. You will check research budget set-ups for accuracy on Oracle,interpreting and implementing University procedures.
- Liaise with research groups and Business Managers/Administrators, and where relevant HR, regarding posts on grants to ensure that funding is available before recruitment processes are undertaken.
- Meet routinely with all of the grant holders within the portfolio to review their financial position and provide problem-solving advice whilst compliant with T&C's
- Liaise with external funders, as required, and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of major funding bodies' terms and conditions.
- Work with Research Accounts to prepare annual and final statements of expenditure.
- Coordinate and collate data required for audits on research awards and liaise with Research Accounts on any audit queries.
- Ensure that grant holders, Business Managers, Administrators and Project Managers are provided with monthly project status and activity reports.
- Liaise with other Oxford departments and external institutions where a grant holder is a collaborator/partner on a project to ensure the correct budget is transferred to collaborator institutions and that appropriate mechanisms are in place to report onexpenditure by collaborators.
- Co-ordinate with Research Services on the processing of material transfer agreements, service contracts, research contracts and licenses, and ensure that all finalised documentation is circulated and filed appropriately.

**Internal and external communication**:

- Attend monthly grants management meetings, taking the lead role for planning, preparing and presenting financial reports, and analysing data on grant expenditure to share with the administration and research teams.

**Information Management**:

- Work closely with other colleagues to support the development of information management systems that meet the needs of the grant management team, grant holders, and University/funder reporting requirements.
- Maintain information on any relevant in-house systems.
- Follow SOP's in place for research administrative processes and work with senior colleagues to ensure they remain relevant.
- Ensure that all documentation relating to grants is up to date and available to the grant holder and the Business Manager/Administrator.

**Other responsibilities**:

- Work with other colleagues to foster a positive team culture, and model core values and behaviours.
- Assist the Business Manager/Administrator in forecasting and re-forecasting grant expenditure for budgeting purposes.
- Assist the Business Manager/Administrator in project activities and undertake other responsibilities commensurate with the grade of the post.
- Participate in and support the public engagement and widening access activities of the Department and the University (Only 2 days a year).

**Profile**

**The successfull Project Finance Officer**:

- Educated to degree level or equivalent related experience.
- Experience of financial administration
- High levels of accuracy and attention to detail when inputting data and providing information.
- Excellent inter-personal skills.
- Independent but a team player
- Be flexible, adaptable and proactive.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and the ability to learn new systems.
- A systematic and well-organised approach to work with the ability to work to deadlines.
- A high level of numeracy and confidence in dealing with financial data, with the ability to analyse and understand that data.

**Desirable selection criteria**:

- Experience of Oracle Financial software or other financial software.
- Experience of the University's costing and pricing tool, X5.
- Experience of working with industry partners and collaborators.
- Knowledge of grants and/or contracts, preferably within the education sector.

**Job Offer**

**The Project Finance Officer will receive the following benefits**:

- 30 days holiday + bank holidays
- Flexible hours
- Hybrid role (3 days in Office)
- Childcare services (including access to university/private nurseries)
- Discounted access to University Sports facilities/memberships
- Learning and development opportunities
- Study Package
- Generous pension scheme
- Tons of Staff discounts from a variety of companies
- Free membership to University Club - Access to a range of social & hospitality facilities
- University Parking permits
- Bus travel discounts
- Rail travel discounts
- Cycle to work scheme, Bike Loan scheme