Finance Team Leader - Grants and Payments
Oxford Centre - £40,000 - £47,000 + 30 days holiday + 8 days bank holiday + pension + travel discounts
4 days in the Office, 1 day working from home
Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and have a flair for financial management? Would you like to play a pivotal role in supporting world-leading researchers in cutting-edge technology? If so, we'd love to hear from you!
We're looking for a Finance Team Leader to join our client's brilliant finance team in their busy, finance office.
🔧 The Role
As a senior member of our busy and supportive Finance Team, which looks after Grants and Payments you'll be responsible for the post-award financial management of a diverse portfolio of research and trading projects - part of over 600 active projects in the department!
This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with world-class academics, support groundbreaking research, and help shape financial best practice within one of Oxfords leading education providers.
You'll lead a small team of Grants and Projects Officers, act as a trusted financial partner to researchers, and take the reins on everything from budget planning and forecasting to compliance, reporting, and process improvement.
You'll also have the chance to contribute at a strategic level, deputising for the Finance Manager when needed and representing the team.
👥 What You'll Be Doing as the Finance Team Leader - Grants and Payments
- Leading and line-managing a team of Grants and Projects Officers
- Providing expert financial advice to academics and project managers
- Overseeing monthly grant reporting processes and financial forecasting
- Developing and delivering training on post-award finance processes
- Playing an active role in university-wide research finance networks
- Helping to shape departmental processes and influence policy
- Preparing for audits, closing out projects, and ensuring full compliance
✅ What We're Looking For
Essential:
- UK resident - recent UK finance experience is essential
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience
- Previous man-management experience is essential and key for this role
- Qualified by experience, or ACCA/CIMA part qualified/finalist or qualified
- Solid experience in financial/project management in a complex organisation
- First-class analytical and problem-solving skills
- A confident communicator, able to engage and influence a range of stakeholders
- Strong leadership, mentoring and organisational skills
- A collaborative, proactive mindset with a keen eye for detail
- Advanced Excel and financial systems skills
Desirable:
- Experience in higher education or research grant finance
- Familiarity with Oracle
- Prior line management or formal supervisory experience
- Knowledge of UK research funding landscape
🌍 Why Join Our client?
This role offers a brilliant mix of challenge and reward. You'll be right at the heart of supporting vital research that's solving global challenges - from renewable energy to engineering- while developing your own leadership and financial expertise.
You'll enjoy being part of a friendly, forward-thinking department in the beautiful city of Oxford, with access to a range of benefits including flexible working, training opportunities, and a supportive university-wide finance community.
📍 Location: Oxford
Apply now and bring your financial acumen to a role that really matters.
At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.
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