Senior Innovation Finance Officer

About the role

As a Senior Innovation Finance Officer, you will be responsible for all aspects of post-award financial management for a portfolio of innovation/commercial projects, from project set-up through to project closure and any associated audits. You will provide expert post-award financial advice and guidance to academics and professional colleagues across the University, ensuring compliance with funder requirements and institutional policies.

While experience within higher education is desirable, candidates without direct HE experience are strongly encouraged to apply. If you can demonstrate relevant transferable skills—particularly in project accounting, financial management, or stakeholder engagement—your application will be fully considered.

About you

You will ideally have experience in project accounting, preferably within a higher education or similarly complex environment, supported by a strong understanding of accounting principles. You will possess well-developed IT skills, alongside clear and effective communication skills, enabling you to work confidently with a range of stakeholders.

You will be highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage your own workload effectively while overseeing a varied portfolio of projects. You will also be comfortable providing clear, pragmatic advice to colleagues and supporting informed decision-making.

About our Division

The Research and Innovation Division plays a central role in developing ideas and innovations that contribute to the global community. Through our work, we support the creation of new knowledge, insights, and solutions that lead to meaningful change and real-world impact.

Our strategy focuses on people, research strengths, interdisciplinarity, integrity, grant capture, and international reputation. The scale and pace of our activity reflects this ambition: in the last year alone, we submitted 681 funding bids, secured 230 awards, and completed the set-up of 227 projects—illustrating just how dynamic and fast-moving the Division is.

Please find further information regarding the division at Research and Innovation: University of Sussex.

Why work here

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.

Find out more about our reward and benefits package.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.

Further Key Information

Please contact Bikram Singh (bs503@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.

For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK. 

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. The assigned SOC code is 4124 Finance officers and the going rate is £41,700. Eligibility for sponsorship will depend on whether the candidate can make use of tradeable points to meet the salary offered and also holds an existing Skilled Worker sponsorship which began before 22 July 2025.

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