Post Award Finance and Project Officer

Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary and Community Organisations Limited; North East; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the United Kingdom is seeking a Post Award Finance and Project Officer within Research Operations. This role involves managing the financial administration of externally funded projects, particularly non-research awards. Responsibilities include preparing financial claims and monitoring budgets, ensuring compliance with funder terms. Candidates should have demonstrable experience in finance management and strong communication skills. This is a hybrid position based in North East England with various employee benefits.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Discounted gym membership

Health and wellbeing support

Professional development courses

Eligibility for car benefit scheme

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in university finance management.
• Experience providing advice to a range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop and implement business processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage post-award financial administration of grants.
• Prepare and submit financial claims, invoices, and statements.
• Monitor budgets, income, and expenditure.
• Ensure compliance with funder terms and conditions.
• Liaise with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Skills

Excellent spoken and written communication skills

High level of numeracy

Strong digital competence across Microsoft 365

Problem-solving skills

Education

Five GCSEs at least Grade C or equivalent

Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

Oracle Financials

Wortribe

Job description

Post Award Finance and Project Officer role within Research Operations at Durham University

The Role and the Department

Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides 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.

We are seeking a Post Award Finance and Project Officer to join our Post Award Team within Research Operations. This role provides an opportunity to oversee a portfolio of externally funded projects, with a particular emphasis on non‑research awards such as complex, coordinator‑led regional initiatives, KTPs and a variety of Knowledge Exchange awards.

Responsibilities

• Manage the post‑award financial administration of non‑research grants, ensuring accurate and timely closure.
• Prepare and submit financial claims, invoices and statements in line with funder and institutional deadlines.
• Monitor budgets, income and expenditure, identifying and resolving variances, and providing financial forecasts to project leads.
• Reconcile project accounts, process final expenditure and exchange rate journals, and ensure accurate allocation of income.
• Ensure compliance with funder terms and conditions, advising stakeholders on eligible expenditure and removing ineligible costs.
• Coordinate staff approvals with HR, ensuring alignment with project budgets and funder requirements.
• Calculate and transfer overheads/indirect costs in accordance with approved budgets.
• Liaise with internal teams (Finance, HR, Departments) and external stakeholders (funders, HEIs, partners) to resolve queries.
• Maintain accurate, auditable records and ensure financial systems reflect final approved expenditure.

Working Pattern & Location

Monday – Friday, hybrid 2 days in the office at Boldon House, with the option for additional days.

Boldon House is located on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. For more information, visit the project webpage: Boldon House – Durham University.

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave per year plus 8 public holidays and 4 customary days (total of 39 days).
• Generous pension scheme – automatic enrolment into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• Ample parking, cycle‑to‑work scheme, and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Eligibility for the Tusker Car Benefit Scheme – lease of a brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicle.
• Diverse professional development courses, apprenticeships, and access to qualifications.
• Health and wellbeing support, discounted gym membership, and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Outstanding on‑site nursery and holiday camps for children aged 5‑16.
• Family‑friendly policies including generous maternity and adoption leave.
• Volunteer opportunities and exclusive discounts via the benefits portal.
• Salary sacrifice schemes for tax savings.
• Relocation support and visa assistance for international applicants.

Qualifications and Experience

• Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent), including English Language and Mathematics, or a Post‑16 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable experience in university or comparable finance management processes.
• Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop and implement business processes.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
• High level of numeracy and attention to detail.
• Strong digital competence across Microsoft 365 and finance systems such as Oracle Financials and Wortribe.
• Ability to manage competing priorities under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Committed to continuing professional development.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to plan appropriate solutions.
• Ability to participate in networks to share best practice and exchange information.
• Experience of working within a post‑award role in a Higher Education Institute.
• Experience of administering UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) or Research England funding.

Application Requirements

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria in their application.

Applications should include:

• A CV.
• A short covering letter (no more than half a page A4) explaining your interest in the role and what you bring to it.
• A grid listing each of the criteria and how you meet them, with evidence from previous experience or qualifications.

Contact

If you would like to have a chat about the role or require further information, please contact Ashleigh Adey, Post Award Finance and Project Manager (Knowledge Exchange), [e-mail].