Job summary
The Research Finance Costings & Grants Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting research activities across GOSH, overseeing the pre award, costings and financial management of a complex and diverse research grant portfolio. With over 600 active projects and annual research income of £28m, this post is central to ensuring effective costing, financial oversight, and income recovery for both commercial and non-commercial research. The post also supports the development of income-maximising strategies and robust financial tracking systems, working closely with stakeholders across the Trust, UCL, and external partners. This is a leadership role within the R&I Directorate, contributing to strategic planning and operational improvement.
Main duties of the job
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification document for full details.
Pre-Award The role leads the costing and feasibility assessment of research projects, ensuring all pre-award financial requirements are met. It includes the responsibility for accurate and timely budget preparation, compliance with AcoRD principles, and coordination with departments and external agencies to allocate costs correctly. The post ensures researchers are supported throughout the application process and that internal sign-offs and approvals are secured.
Contracting The postholder oversees financial risk assessments for all research contracts, ensuring budgets align with applications and accounting standards. They lead contract reviews, advise on strategic financial risk, and ensure financial terms in third-party agreements are correct.
Budget Management This role holds full financial oversight of the NIHR GOSH BRC, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and managing external returns. It also includes post-award financial oversight of multiple research grants, preparing reports for investigators, identifying variances, and advising on budget adjustments.
Projects Responsible for the financial management of awarded research grants, the role ensures timely reporting, financial monitoring, and compliance with funder requirements. It includes oversight of final grant reconciliations and identifying budget discrepancies.
About us
We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we'll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.
Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women's networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.
We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Person Specification
Values
Essential
Desirable
- Experience of Change Management and Process Improvements
Education, training and qualifications
Essential
- Training in Grant Costing & Project management (Including SoeCATs)
- Degree or equivalent relevant experience
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
- 5+ years research finance or NHS finance experience
Desirable
- D Experience of Change Management and Process ImprovementsDQualified CCAB Accountant or undertaking CCAB training with relevant experience at a senior level
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills with an ability to multi-task, meet external deadlines and organise a large work load
- Proven interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate effectively with staff all levels
- Ability to present to senior management committees and lead discussions with senior staff
- Ability to work autonomously
- Ability to advise and negotiate with senior academic staff, providing options and solutions as required
- Ability to make decisions and taken action accordingly
- Commitment to team working
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable Research experience in medical / clinical research environment
- Experience of Grant costing and developing grant applications
- Experience of establishing, administering, leading and facilitating meetings. Including presentation of financial information and leading financial discussions
- Excellent knowledge of research processes and procedures
- Experience of project / programme management
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of multidisciplinary issues, research collaborations and networking
- Experience of budget management
Person Specification
Values
Essential
Desirable
- Experience of Change Management and Process Improvements
Education, training and qualifications
Essential
- Training in Grant Costing & Project management (Including SoeCATs)
- Degree or equivalent relevant experience
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
- 5+ years research finance or NHS finance experience
Desirable
- D Experience of Change Management and Process ImprovementsDQualified CCAB Accountant or undertaking CCAB training with relevant experience at a senior level
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills with an ability to multi-task, meet external deadlines and organise a large work load
- Proven interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate effectively with staff all levels
- Ability to present to senior management committees and lead discussions with senior staff
- Ability to work autonomously
- Ability to advise and negotiate with senior academic staff, providing options and solutions as required
- Ability to make decisions and taken action accordingly
- Commitment to team working
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable Research experience in medical / clinical research environment
- Experience of Grant costing and developing grant applications
- Experience of establishing, administering, leading and facilitating meetings. Including presentation of financial information and leading financial discussions
- Excellent knowledge of research processes and procedures
- Experience of project / programme management
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of multidisciplinary issues, research collaborations and networking
- Experience of budget management
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street
London
WC1N 3JH
Employer's website
https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
