Finance Manager

LGC Ltd (www.lgcgroup.com) is a global life sciences company serving government, academia, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food, environment, security, and sports sectors. Its Grant Management Group (GMG) works closely with the NIHR and other UK government bodies to support medical and health research. GMG manages funding calls, contracts and intellectual property, ensuring research projects are delivered efficiently and in line with strategic priorities, while collaborating with stakeholders across the NHS, academia, government and industry to advance health innovation.

The NIHR, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, is the UK’s largest funder of health and social care research. It delivers world leading studies that improve health, wellbeing and economic growth with GMG providing critical operational and management support to its funding programs.

The postholder will support the Finance Team in the accounting, monitoring and reporting of GMG operational finances and DHSC funded awards. The role will involve preparing financial reports, processing transactions, responding to queries from internal and external stakeholders, and maintaining accurate financial records and documentation.

This is a development role suited to someone with strong attention to detail, analytical capability, and a genuine interest in building a career in finance. The position has a strong focus on financial planning and analysis in a project and contract based environment, where clear communication and effective business partnering are essential. Experience of working within a finance team or grant funded environment is advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

Funding and Budget Management:

• Manage assigned budget areas within the finance portfolio, ensuring timely and accurate monitoring, reporting and forecasting
• Represent Finance within relevant programme teams, maintaining effective two way communication to support operational and strategic needs
• Review and assess funding applications against defined financial eligibility criteria and contribute to contract negotiation processes
• Prepare scheduled and ad-hoc financial reports and analysis to support decision making
• Maintain payment profiles, schedules and financial records, resolving data quality issues where required
• Provide timely and informed responses to financial queries from programme teams, contractors, suppliers and funded organisations
• Support committee and research funding payment processes and related financial administration
• Maintain and update Excel based models, schedules and financial tools.

Team and Process Support

• Support the Senior Finance Manager in overseeing elements of the funding portfolio, including supervising and guiding three junior staff in allocated tasks
• Contribute to goal setting, training, performance feedback and skill development within the team
• Promote high standards of financial accuracy and data quality, reinforcing consistent processes and controls
• Work collaboratively across the Finance Team and wider organisation to support shared objectives and ensure effective cross team communication
• Participate in continuous improvement projects, system developments and process enhancement initiatives
• Provide ad-hoc support to finance leadership and undertake other duties as reasonably required.

Experience and Academic Qualifications
Required Criteria

• Working towards, or committed to pursuing, a recognised accounting qualification (e.g., AAT, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Strong numerical and analytical ability, with confidence in interpreting financial data
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accurate financial reporting
• Proficient in MS Office, with advanced Excel capability (e.g., pivot tables, lookups, formulas)
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Able to build constructive working relationships and collaborate with a range of stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to balance multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated motivation to develop a career in finance, particularly within financial planning, analysis, or grant funding

Desired Criteria

• Experience working in a finance environment or financial administration role
• Understanding of grant funding, research finance, or public sector funding frameworks
• Familiarity with budgeting, forecasting, or management reporting processes
• Experience using finance or accounting systems (e.g., ERP, reporting or planning tools)
• Awareness of project-based funding and financial controls
• Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues
• Participation in process improvement or data quality initiatives
• Experience supporting or guiding colleagues, or interest in developing supervisory skills

Behaviours and Competencies

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Builds positive, professional relationships with confident and considerate communication
• Well-organised, able to manage competing priorities effectively
• Proactive, resourceful, and able to work independently when needed
• Anticipates workload changes and responds constructively to shifting demands
• Takes ownership of responsibilities and contributes to team support
• Open and positive approach to change and continuous improvement
• Strong sense of accountability, with effective time and task management.

Compensation, Benefits & Working Arrangements:
Salary: £40,300 to £42,600 per year
Location: Twickenham, London / Hybrid working model
Contract Type: Permanent, full time 
Working Hours: 37.5 per week, 7.5 hours per day
Annual Leave: 25 days, plus UK public holidays

Employee Benefits Include:
Annual bonus, subject to company performance
Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme
Life Insurance Cover
Benenden Healthcare Membership
Training and Development Opportunities 
Season Ticket Loan

NB: We offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, flexible working arrangements. This is an office based, hybrid role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices 2 to 3 days per week, this may increase, subject to team requirements. 

Application
If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a 'Statement of Suitability' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the 'Required Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with the NIHR. 

Deadline for applications is 5pm on the 17th November, with interviews to commence from the 24th November. 

Inclusion and Diversity
LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.