Post-Award Finance Manager (

Job Number:

26001212 ) Research and Innovation Services Grade 7 :

• £38,784
• £46,049 per annum Open-Ended/Permanent
• Full Time Contracted Hours per

Week :

35

Working Arrangements :

To be arranged when appointed

Closing Date :

07-Oct-2026, 10:59:00

PM Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement :

Not Applicable. The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting

• Durham is a university like no other.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here . Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us?

• Information Page .

The Role and the Department Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides Durham's academic and professional services community with guidance, expert advice, and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice, and supporting professional development. Within Research and Innovation Services (RIS), our Research Operations Team provides support and services for our academics working across the research and innovation life cycle, focusing on applying for and managing funding and providing professional advice on collaborations and contracts. The Research Operations Team is comprised of three sections: Pre-Award, Contracting, and Post-Award. These sections work together to deliver a service to support, advise, and provide expertise to our academic community for our extensive and varied portfolio of externally funded projects. The Research Operations Post Award team is responsible for providing specialist support, oversight and quality assurance for research, knowledge exchange and expert services post-award financial activity. This includes the financial management of live grants, provision of management information to grant holders and senior leadership, financial reporting to funders and external bodies, support for studentship management, and the administration of research grants. We are seeking an experienced post-award professional with strong research finance expertise to join the Post Award management team. Reporting to a Senior Post Award Finance Manager, you will play a key role in the leadership and delivery of post-award support across the University's externally funded research portfolio. The role combines specialist post-award knowledge with operational and people management responsibilities. You will be responsible for supporting a portfolio of complex and high-value research awards, providing expert advice on funder requirements and research finance matters, and line managing a team within the Post Award function. Working closely with colleagues across Research Operations and the wider University, you will ensure compliance, promote best practice, support continuous service improvement, and contribute to the development of post-award processes, systems and ways of working. Through this work, you will help deliver a high-quality, customer-focused service that supports the University's growing and increasingly complex research portfolio. You will have the following key responsibilities; Line manage staff within the Post Award function, providing leadership, guidance, support and pastoral care to ensure high levels of performance, engagement and professional development Provide training to new and existing staff members as appropriate and mentor team members to ensure a thorough understanding of university financial regulations, research related policies and external funders. Manage a portfolio of high-value, complex and strategically important research awards, ensuring effective financial and project management throughout the award lifecycle. Provide advice on project set-up, start certificates, recruitment and appointment approvals, project reviews, virements and change requests, funder claims and invoices, final claims, project closure activities, and complex funder and academic queries, ensuring compliance with funder and University requirements . Provide a senior check, where appropriate, of the team's work to ensure accurate calculations and reporting. Develop and deliver training sessions to relevant university staff on Post-Award procedures. Contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of new policies and quality standards, procedures and systems for the post award management of Durham's externally funded research activities to ensure effective working and continuous improvement. Actively participate in regional and national networks and working groups to represent Durham and share best practice across the sector in research project management, ensuring that Durham is actively engaged in relevant consultations and well positioned to understand and, where appropriate, influence funder policy. Deputise for the Senior Post Award Manager as required The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House

• Durham University .

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the

University:

• You'll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year
• a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.

We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.

If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here . Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk

• next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Full AAT or equivalent finance qualification or relevant experience 2. Significant demonstrable experience in supporting the post award financial management of large complex research awards within a

UK HEI 3.

Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements. 4. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues. 5. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation. 6. Experience of managing and developing a team or teams and/or a line management qualification. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 7. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 8. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, finance and research management systems 9. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. 10. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. 11. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit

A CV:

and

• A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Sally Hewlett. S.a.hewlett@durham.ac.uk Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery/Development
• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University's frameworks and regulations.
• Manage a portfolio of high-value, complex and strategically important research awards, ensuring effective financial and project management throughout the award lifecycle .
• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from staff, students and others who you work with and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
• Work with your team to look for ways to improve processes and ways of working across all areas of your work. Planning and Organisation
• Manage the delivery of operational activities carried out by the post award function which you are responsible for.
• Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of the post award function Service, School and/or Department .Review data on the level of service provided by your area to recommend areas for future improvement.
• Point of contact for escalation of issues relating to post award administration from within the team or from Departments.
• Working with Assurance to assist in the implementation of agreed Assurance/audit actions. Team Development
• Manage and monitor the performance, workload and expected outcomes of your team and take action to respond to anything that impacts the service level provided.
• Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members.
• Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on objectives and expectations and to identify any development needs.
• Ensure that your team continues to develop by coaching and mentoring team members and responding to any training or development needs, as appropriate.
• Support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services. Communication/Liaison
• Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University's policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.
• Use your operational expertise to participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Coordinate and oversee committees and other business meetings, dealing with any related complaints.
• Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
• Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants
• Privacy Notice which provides information on the coll ation, storing and use of data.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website .