Pre Award Finance Coordinator

Research and External Engagement (REE) is a new integrated service dedicated to driving forward the University’s ambitions for, research, innovation, skills and enterprise. This professional service works to support our students, drive research excellence, upskill and reskill the regions workforce, strengthen relationships and engagement with our alumni, business and community partners.

Through cutting-edge research initiatives, hands-on learning opportunities, strategic partnerships, civic leadership, and skills delivery, we will empower individuals to thrive in an ever-changing world.

To know more about REE and their work, please click here.

REE’s Research Office provides seamless, end to end support for all external tender, bid and grant applications. The Office is made up of individuals with expertise in costing bids, funders, ethics, contracts and compliance processes (such as Due Diligence). Together they support applicants, and if required draw on the appropriate skills and expertise from across the university to submit eligible and compliant successful grant applications. Once awarded the team supports the PI/Lead through the project set up process; following timely, appropriate financial and compliance protocols to ensure a smooth transition from a grant application into a live project

This role supports the Research Office by managing research funding processes and providing expert advice to academic staff and university colleagues on submitting external grant applications (e.g., NIHR, UKRI, tenders). Responsibilities include ensuring all eligibility requirements are met, completing full economic costing in accordance with TRAC principles, advising applicants on funder requirements, planning and facilitating application timelines, and maintaining accurate application records.

The position involves close collaboration across departments to ensure smooth project setup for successful grants, offering flexible and agile support throughout the process. From assisting with bids to transitioning successful grants into live projects, the role focuses on delivering excellent customer service and ensuring seamless operations.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong background in research support and has finance capabilities. As a senior member of the team, you will play a key role in developing internal processes, mentoring colleagues, delivering training. Representing the service in cross-functional and external engagements while promoting equal opportunities and fostering a safe, inclusive working environment.

We are looking for a positive and proactive team player who works well with others and is excited to provide excellent customer service. In this role, you will use your knowledge of research funding and applications to offer advice and support to academics, staff, and other stakeholders. You will help ensure that external grant applications meet all the required eligibility criteria, including full economic costing where needed. Clear communication and the ability to work flexibly in a busy deadline-based environment are key.

This role involves working closely with colleagues to ensure a smooth process from bid initiation to setting up successful projects. You will be expected to work to deadlines, solving problems and providing agile project support along the way. With strong organisational skills and attention to detail, you will contribute to university projects, lead short-term initiatives, and provide training and support to the team.

Your focus will always be on helping our customers—academics and colleagues—and ensuring they have the support they need to succeed. You will enjoy working in a collaborative, fast-paced team, contributing to the success of the University’s research efforts.

This post is based at our lively Frenchay campus where we have invested in the latest facilities and resources to give both our staff and students access to everything they need to succeed.

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in Bristol, one of the UK’s most exciting and forward-thinking cities, we are regionally embedded and globally connected, with an established network of employer and academic partners.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.

We are proud to be part of a vibrant, multicultural city that celebrates diversity, we’re always looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us. Our people are our strength, and diversity enhances our creativity and leads to better decision-making and problem-solving. Bring your talent and ambition to our growing community and find yourself in a stimulating and supportive environment where you’ll thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority and male candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area of the organisation, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.

As a Disability Confident employer, we welcome applications from those who identify as having a disability.

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role please contact Michelle Wells on 0117 328 7928 or email: [email protected]

This is a full-time, permanent post, working 37 hours per week.

This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

UWE Bristol is a campus-based University and it is vital to our success and the delivery of an outstanding experience for our students that our campuses are dynamic and vibrant places to learn and spend time. This role is therefore campus based for at least 60 percent of your time, with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days.

To ensure fairness and equity all salary offers will be made in line with the University's salary assessment guidelines and will be based on your relevant skills and experience.

The University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. You will therefore be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK, please refer to the Home Office Right to Work Checklist for information on which documents are acceptable.

We may be able to sponsor qualifying candidates for this role under the Home Office Skilled Worker visa route subject to meeting eligibility criteria. Please read our Skilled Worker Guidance to assess if you will be eligible.

Please note that UWE Bristol does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.

We’d love to hear from you - if you are excited about this opportunity please complete our application form as soon as possible.

Tell us how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role by describing how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description, and include specific examples wherever possible.

Once we have completed shortlisting we will let you know the outcome of your application by email, so please check your inbox for updates.