Assistant Director Research Finance Operations

About us

Playing a key role in supporting the UCL research portfolio of 6,000 active research awards and contracts with an annual research income of £500M, Research and Innovation Services (RIS) supports and advances UCL’s position as a world beating research led University. RIS provides high quality research and innovation support that adds value to the academic mission, improves compliance with terms and conditions, policies and regulation, and showcases the expertise of having a centre of excellence of dedicated research and innovation support professionals.

Part of RIS, Award Services provides a range specialist advice to UCL's externally funded research and innovation portfolio through the departments of: Research Support and Development (Pre-award); European Research and Innovation Office; Research Finance and Compliance (Post-award). The service is delivered in partnership with academic and professional services colleagues across UCL, collaborating organisations, and funders.

About the role

We are recruiting for an Assistant Director, Research Finance Operations to join us in a newly created position, on a 12 month FTC. This role is also available to current UCL staff as a 12 month internal secondment.

Reporting to the Director of Award Services, the successful candidate will play a key role in reviewing post-award research finance operations and proposing updates and improvements with specific responsibility for the development and delivery of integrated and holistic post award services, responsive to the changing research funding landscape and the needs of UCL and its Funders.

The successful candidate will be expected to draw from extensive sector knowledge, operational experience and established relationships. The ability to forge close working relationships with a range of senior academic staff and administrative officers will be key to the success of the role, as will the ability to work in partnership with the Assistant Director of Research Finance and Compliance (line manager the Post-award team).

About you

Our ideal candidate will have a proven ability to lead a support service or function in a deadline-driven environment. You must be able to inspire excellence, influence positive change, and have extensive operational experience in post-award research administration within an academic setting. This includes a deep understanding of end-to-end research management policies, processes, and systems.

Expert knowledge of UK and overseas research funding mechanisms, particularly in higher education — such as UK Research Councils, Government, and Charity funding agencies — is essential. You will be well-versed in new and emerging funding policies, as well as the regulatory frameworks that govern sponsored research funding.

Additionally, the role requires significant experience in capturing and developing business requirements, prioritising them effectively, and successfully implementing business change. A track record of delivering large and complex projects within a financial environment, using formal project management frameworks is essential. You should also demonstrate technical expertise in the design and operation of financial controls and processes and have a proven ability to manage high-level relationships with stakeholders, including funders, external partners, and other higher education institutions. Familiarity with Oracle Financials, Research Management Systems, and modern reporting tools is also required.

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