Senior Research Finance Officer(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Accounting / Finance, Automotive Jobs
Uk
December 22, 2025
Full Time Permanent
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Job Description

Role Overview

We are looking to appoint a knowledgeable and proactive Senior Research Finance Officer to join our Research and Innovation Division on a fixed-term basis. This role is central to the effective financial management of the University’s research portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered in line with funder requirements, institutional policies and best practice in financial governance.

You will take ownership of the post-award financial lifecycle for a varied portfolio of research projects, providing expert advice from project set-up through to closure and audit. You will work closely with academic colleagues and professional services teams, helping them to navigate complex financial regulations with confidence.

While experience within higher education is beneficial, we warmly welcome applications from candidates with strong transferable skills from other sectors, particularly those with backgrounds in project accounting, finance management or stakeholder-facing financial roles.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

  • Manage all aspects of post-award financial administration for research projects, from initiation to completion
  • Provide clear, accurate and timely financial guidance to academics and professional colleagues
  • Ensure compliance with funder terms and conditions, including those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
  • Monitor budgets, expenditure, forecasting and reporting across a diverse project portfolio
  • Support project audits and financial reviews, ensuring robust documentation and controls
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of financial processes and research finance practices
  • Work within recognised public sector financial frameworks and accountability standards

About You

You will be an organised and analytical finance professional with experience in project-based financial management. You will be comfortable working in a complex environment, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

You will also bring:

  • A strong understanding of accounting principles and financial controls
  • Well-developed IT skills, including confidence working with financial systems and spreadsheets
  • Clear and effective communication skills, enabling you to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues
  • The ability to manage your own workload independently while contributing to team objectives
  • A pragmatic, solution-focused approach to supporting informed decision-making
  • An understanding of compliance, governance and accountability within publicly funded organisations will be particularly valuable

About the Research & Innovation Division

The Research and Innovation Division supports the development of ideas, discoveries and innovations that make a difference locally, nationally and globally. We work closely with academic schools and external partners to secure funding, manage awards and maximise research impact.

Our work is fast-paced and ambitious. In the past year alone, the Division supported:

  • 681 funding applications
  • 230 successful research awards
  • 227 new research project set-ups
  • This scale of activity reflects our commitment to excellence, integrity and collaboration.

Why Work at Sussex?

The University of Sussex is a research-led, internationally recognised university, located within a 150-acre campus at the edge of the South Downs National Park.

We offer:

  • Excellent public transport links, including an on-campus train station
  • Support for sustainable travel, including cycling routes and a cycle-to-work scheme
  • A welcoming, inclusive and values-driven workplace
  • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-guidance
  • Our success is built on our people, and we are committed to supporting staff wellbeing, development and career progression.

Right to Work & Sponsorship

All work undertaken for the University must be carried out in the UK.

This role may be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, subject to meeting eligibility criteria:

Skilled Worker visa guidance

https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

  • SOC Code: 4124 – Finance Officers
  • Current going rate: £41,700

Eligibility will depend on whether the candidate can use tradeable points to meet the salary threshold and holds an existing Skilled Worker sponsorship that began before 22 July 2025.

The University of Sussex values diversity and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

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