Job Purpose

To lead, manage and develop a portfolio of complex, multi-partner research projects and commercial activities, providing high quality project management, financial and administrative support to academics based in colleges, other central functions and to external stakeholders in relation to complex, multi-partner research grants and commercial activities. To develop and implement processes, procedures, and reporting tools to support the University’s control framework. To represent the University in international meetings with external partners, increase network presence and promote values.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develop and expand own knowledge of funding rules, regulations, systems and terms and conditions to provide specialist financial and Project Management knowledge to academics and partners by establishing governance structures, proactively planning and managing research grants ensuring project outcomes are understood, measurable and monitored. Influence the set up and implementation of projects with specialist advice and guidance, embed knowledge of technical and legal requirements, and training and development of control procedures. Provide clarity and direction to external partners in relation to technical queries and project compliance and to provide oversight of financial budgets. Manage the day-to-day project activities and take corrective action where required to ensure deadlines are met and targets achieved.

2. Proactively plan and manage the allocation of workload in projects ensuring that system set up, controls and reporting align with the various grant obligations and the wider Research and Finance strategic objectives, and that the underlying quality of financial and technical information meets best practice. Work to ensure that UofG’s underlying control framework supports complex grants, and that system or process enhancements are identified in order to comply with the requirements of commercial projects and funder audits.

3. Lead on the development of reporting and metrics, analyse and interpret results and work with both internal and external team members to implement the required changes to process, reporting or work allocations. Empower consortium members to lead Work Packages and achieve research goals; improving processes systems and controls or developing skills aligned to growth opportunities. Hold regular 1-to-1 meetings with internal and external stakeholders to ensure projects achieve their objectives. Provide specialist advice and lead training sessions on funding procedures and process improvements ensuring that all consortium members are aware of the funder requirements and contractual obligations.

4. To be seen as the technical and financial expert for grants and to work with auditors to ensure that recovery of costs is maximised for the benefit of the University and its external partners. Lead on the development of workload metrics and lessons learned aimed at monitoring project implementation and identifying areas for improvements in service delivery and controls. Analyse and interpret results

and work with team members to implement the required changes to process reporting or workload allocations.

5. Establish and build network relationships both internally and externally to influence change and best practice within stakeholder groups such as project funders and academics and to work with them to deliver project related changes. Use negotiating skills to ensure fair allocation of income and costs across interconnected budgets and provide support to settle partner accounts at the end of a grant.

6. Create, implement and evaluate a risk management strategy for research projects and lead in the development of mitigation strategies to minimise the risk to the project and the University. Ensure appropriate levels of reporting of project risk to academics, partners and funders where required.

7. To identify the opportunity to grow and develop externally funded project management support, establish parameters and lead commercial negotiations to recover costs. Interpret, implement and update legal documents/contracts when new funders or schemes become available, nurturing a library of knowledge for the Project Management Office and the rest of the Overseas team.

8. Coordinate the organisation of project meetings, conferences and training events locally and abroad including travelling overseas to closely manage the progress on site. To lead or deputise for academics in partner meetings and represent the Research Finance Office in meetings with external funders, with other internal departments or change related projects as required.

9. Contribute to the development of department aims and goals which are aligned to the Research, Finance and wider University strategy and lead on delivery plans and monitor implementation. Help drive cultural and strategic values within projects by establishing goals aligned to the finance roadmap, socialising requirements and to provide specialist advice to project team members in order to aid delivery of successful outcomes.

10. To make a significant contribution towards the delivery of both tactical and strategic finance projects by taking responsibility for core workstreams and by holding technical expertise influencing design and/or outcomes.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential: 

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 (Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma) or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2 Knowledge of project management, application of techniques and methodology.

A3 Detailed knowledge of EU funding schemes, their rules and their processes.

A4 Detailed operational knowledge of procedures related to controls, accounting policy and general practice relating to gained in a large/complex organisation.

Desirable: 

B1 Knowledge of Full Economic Costing models and derivations thereof. -

B2 Detailed knowledge of higher education research processes and environment.

B3 Recognised Project Management qualification, e.g., PRINCE2.

B4 Detailed knowledge of t4 and/or HTML for website development and maintenance.

B5 Knowledge of research management processes.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent project management skills.

C2 Excellent time management skills with an ability to prioritise competing demands and multiple projects.

C3 Excellent influencing and negotiation skills with ability to challenge assumptions and practices.

C4 Resilient and durable, able to maintain momentum in the face of obstacles and setbacks.

C5 Strong organisational skills.

C6 Highly developed communication skills and interpersonal skills.

C7 A strong understanding of risk management.

C8 Strong IT, analytical and problem solving skills.

C9 Financial management and planning skills.

C10 Ability to interpret complex guidelines and provide advice and guidance in relation to funder requirements.

C11 Ability to exercise initiative and work independently and as part of a team.

C12 Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing environments.

Desirable: 

D1 Fluency in another European language.

D2 Advanced Microsoft application experience and proficiency in excel such as creation and use of pivot tables, macros and other data / reporting activities.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative, influencing skills and independent judgement in a fast-paced environment.

E2 Experience of coaching and developing team members and working successfully towards common goals.

E3 Experience of maintaining, analysing and reconciling large and complex financial data sets.

E4 Experience of data extraction, transformation, and loading for report production.

E5 Relevant experience within a similar role and evidence of self-development.

E6 Experience of effectively managing a portfolio of projects.

E7 Experience of building relationships with external stakeholders.

E8 Experience of proficiently using relevant IT systems.

E9 Experience of financial management, budget monitoring, forecasting, investigation of discrepancies and remediation.

Desirable:

F1 Costing, analysis and forecasting experience using ERP systems together with data analysis and reporting of outcomes.

F2 Experience of accounting, financial controls and budgetary processes gained within a HEI or Research Grant Funding body.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and fixed term to cover maternity leave for up to 12 months or until the substantive postholder returns.

Please Note: If you are a current employee of the University of Glasgow, please be advised that the University would consider an internal secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for internal secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

Closing date: 18 May 2025