Senior Finance Officer

Senior Finance Officer

Department of Engineering Science, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ

The Department of Engineering Science is one of the largest research and teaching departments in the University, and a diverse, innovative and vibrant community with strong links with computer science, materials science, and medicine.

The role

You will be a senior member of the Finance Team in the Department of Engineering Science providing high quality financial support to both internal and external stakeholders and you will split your time approximately 50 / 50 between supporting the Management Accounting function and the Payroll & Studentships function.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking day-to-day responsibility for the financial management of studentships and provide cover for some payroll processes.
• Undertaking key financial analysis and reconciliation which underpins the finance business partnering function of the finance team
• Helping to strengthen controls, improve resilience and ensure timely and accurate financial information and advice to budget holders and other stakeholders.

This role is expected to work with a high degree of autonomy, exercise professional judgement, and develop robust processes and reconciliations that support departmental compliance with University Financial Regulations and external requirements.

What we are looking for

To thrive in this varied and engaging role, we are looking for someone with:

• A professional qualification and/or education or experience in a finance role.
• Experience of general ledger and month-end accounts, of payroll processes and/or studentship administration.
• A high level of IT literacy including advanced Excel, and experience of Oracle/Oracle Financials, budgeting tools, CoreHR or other payroll systems.
• Practical knowledge of financial controls, reconciling income and expenditure, payroll recharge mechanisms and basic VAT/tax principles relevant to payroll and benefits.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail, the ability to reconcile complex data sets, to spot anomalies and recommend corrective actions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Initiative, a self-starter able to work with minimum supervision, manage competing demands and contribute to continuous improvement and team resilience.

About the team

The Finance Team comprises of four areas, Purchase to Pay, Payroll & Studentships, Research Finance and Management Accounting and there are just under 20 staff in the team.

Our team values flexibility, with many team members working in a hybrid format. Additionally, some members of the team enjoy non-standard working hours, such as compressed or part-time schedules.

Why Choose Us

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' well-being, and this is reflected in the range of benefits we provide, including:

• Flexible Hybrid Working: A work setup that combines office and remote work.
• Excellent Contributory Pension Scheme: We help you plan for your future.
• Generous Annual Leave: 38 days of annual leave.
• Comprehensive Childcare Services: We support your family needs.
• Family Leave Schemes: Ensuring work-life balance.
• Cycle Loan Scheme: Promoting eco-friendly transportation.
• Membership to Various Social and Sports Clubs: Be part of vibrant communities.
• Discounted Bus Travel and Season Ticket Travel Loans: Making your commute more affordable.
• Opportunities to contribute to sustainability initiatives and community-building efforts.
• Support for continued, life-long learning and career development.

The University also hosts a multitude of social groups and sports clubs for those seeking more than just a great place to work.

Hybrid working: 60% FTE on site minimum (80% during the 12-month probationary period)

Application Process

You will be required to upload a cover letter/supporting statement which details how you meet each of the selection criteria, a CV and the details of three referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 22 April 2026 at 12:00 noon.

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 5 May 2026 and will be in-person.

Contact Person: Steve Hudspith

Vacancy ID: 185630

Pay Scale: STANDARD GRADE 6

Salary: £35,681 - £41,636 per annum (inclusive of Oxford University Weighting)

Closing Date & Time: 22-Apr-2026 12:00

Contact Email: Steven.Hudspith@eng.ox.ac.uk

Job description & Selection criteria (1274 KB)