Senior Manager (Research Finance Business Partner)

About Us

Join the National University of Singapore (NUS) Finance Team – Where Innovation Meets Excellence

At NUS, the Office of Finance stands as a dynamic and strategic partner, driving financial sustainability and operational excellence. Our team plays a crucial role in overseeing financial planning, optimising resources, and enabling the University’s ambition and innovation.

We are at the forefront of formulating, reviewing, and analysing the University’s operating, strategic, and capital budgets. Through strong governance, robust financial processes, and cutting-edge systems, we ensure every dollar is put to its best use, fueling research, education, and transformation.

Why Join Us?

• 🚀 Make an Impact: Play a key role in shaping financial strategies that influence the University’s growth and global standing.
• 📈 Growth & Development: We believe in continuous learning, offering mentorship, career development, and upskilling opportunities.
• 🤝 Collaborative Culture: Join a high-performing team that values trust, innovation, and excellence.
• 🔹 Finance Transformation: Be part of initiatives leveraging SAP S4 Hana, AI-driven analytics, and digital finance solutions to drive efficiency and future-ready finance operations.

If you are passionate about finance, thrive in a dynamic environment, and want to be part of a team that drives meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us and be a part of shaping the future of finance at NUS!

Website: https://www.nus.edu.sg/finance
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nus-office-of-finance/

Job Description

Reporting to Research Cluster Lead, the incumbent will:

• Serve as Team Lead, supporting the Research Finance Cluster Lead in leading and managing the research finance cluster team.
• Assume the Finance Business Partner role for the assigned RIC/RCE within the E3/E3A/TLab Cluster. Provide strategic support to the RIC/RCE management and PIs through proactive monitoring of financial activities, delivery of institute-specific financial reporting, and communication of actionable financial insights.
• Provide financial and management advisories to the RIC/RCE that are critical to the decision-making purposes and ensure compliance with University’s financial policies and procedures, and funding agencies’ terms & conditions/guidelines.
• Foster and maintain a regular working relationship within the Institutes, central shared services teams, and other functional partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Management and Oversight

• Lead and guide a team of 6 staff (both direct and indirect reports), fostering capability development and ensuring effective team delivery.
• Oversee the day-to-day financial operations of the Research Centre of Excellence (RCE) and Research Institutes and Centres (RICs) within the cluster, including maintaining robust financial controls over budget utilisation, revenue collection, and financial reporting.
• Drive the annual budgeting and forecasting cycle, coordinating budget movements and ensuring timely and accurate submissions to central teams.
• Participate in strategic meetings and budget planning sessions with the RCE/RIC’s management, providing sound financial advice and insights to support decision-making.
• Partner closely with RCE/RICs to identify and implement cost-efficiency initiatives and resource optimisation strategies, delivering measurable improvements in operational expenditure.
• Analyse financial positions and funding status of the RCE/RICs, providing clear insights and recommendations through regular reporting to support management decisions.
• Prepare and present financial performance reports to the RCE/RIC Governing Board, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and relevance of information.

Grant and Fund Management

• Partner closely with RCE/RICs, as host