Jobs in Structural Biology and Related Fields

Senior Finance Officer

Instruct

Instruct-ERIC, Oxford, United Kingdom

Application deadline: 30 Apr 2025

Instruct-ERIC are looking for a qualified accountant (or equivalent job experience) or someone in the final stages, with several years’ experience in a financial role and staff management.  Given your strategic and analytical skills, you will not only be comfortable preparing financial reports to present to the governing bodies, but also proactively seek out methods for minimising financial risk to the Organisation.   

You will be a highly motivated self-starter with a flexible attitude and be able to work to tight deadlines with limited notice, be able to provide practical solutions to problems and manage competing activities.   

Your responsibilities will include overseeing end to end finance operations, financial planning and analysis, balance sheet reconciliations, optimising procedures and controls, and management of cashflow. 

Key Relationships 

You will work with a diverse group of people, and you will have regular personal contact with the: 

• Instruct Director 
• Instruct Hub Coordinators 
• Project Managers 
• Technical and financial staff and external financial and audit contractors 

You will also have broad contact with third parties across Europe and internationally through email, telephone and tele/videoconference. 

Role & Responsibilities 

• Oversee management of day-to-day financial matters relating to Instruct business (including income, payments and payroll) with the help of the Finance Officer, and alongside the Finance Consultant. 
• Line-manage the Finance Officer.  
• Liaise with external services for audit preparation, banking, and other financial needs as necessary. 
• Track the organisation’s financial status and performance to identify areas for potential improvement and red flags. 
• Work with the Project Managers to plan expenditure on project accounts. 
• Seek out methods of minimising financial risk to the organisation. 
• Review financial data and prepare monthly and annual reports. 
• Develop financial projections and a financial report to be presented to the major Instruct governing body. 
• Work with the Director and Coordinators to strengthen Instruct-ERIC’s reserves, ensuring adequate levels of reserves are maintained. 
• Stay up to date with technological advances and accounting software to be used for financial purposes. 
• Understand and adhere to financial regulations and legislation. 
• Establish and maintain financial policies and procedures for the company. 
• Oversee credit control and contributing to budget and forecast preparation.  
• Manage banking oversight for Instruct-ERIC. 
• Develop cashflow forecasting to enhance Instruct-ERIC’s cash management. 
• Establish, maintain and update high standard financial practices. 
• Oversee the annual financial audit. 
• Oversee grant reporting for EC funded grants 

What we offer  

You will join a highly collaborative, diverse and international team based in our Oxford hub offices. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas.  

Benefits include a generous 30-day annual leave entitlement plus UK bank holidays, opportunities for hybrid working (with 3 days per week in our Oxford office), and an outstanding contributory pension scheme.  

Free car parking and bicycle storage 

Employee assistance programme (Health Assured) 

Wellbeing activities such as group retreat, summer event and other group activities 

Skills & Requirements 

Required 

• Professional qualification in accounting (CIMA, ACA or ACCA) or equivalent experience. 
• 3+ years of experience of financial management at a senior level in an academic environment, preferably dealing with scientific activities  
• Proven record of successfully managing large budgets 
• Advanced Excel skills  
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal  
• Highly organised and strong attention to detail 

Desirable 

• Line management experience 
• Experience using Xero and related apps 
• Second European Language 

Pre-employment screening 

Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work, proof of identity and references.  

How to apply 

Email address for applications: support@instruct-eric.org 

If you consider that you meet the selection criteria, please send an up-to-date CV to including details of two referees and a supporting statement with the following information: 

Please answer question 1, and write a written response for two of the other scenarios 2-6. 

1: Why are you interested in working at Instruct-ERIC? 

2: Tell us how your accountancy qualification has influenced your approach to financial work. Give an example of when you applied something you learned to a real situation. 

3: Give an example from your previous roles where have you experienced a major change in finance policy, systems, or leadership. Explain the nature of the change and how you adapted to it. 

4: Tell us about a time you had to stand by your financial judgment even when others disagreed. 

5: Give an example of an occasion where you spotted a financial risk or control issue before it became a problem. Explain the impact of your observation and actions taken. 

6: Describe a time when your work had a measurable impact on a team, department, or organisation. 

The supporting statement should not exceed 300 words. 

Please send all documents as PDF files with your name and the document type in the filename. The CV should explain your relevant experience which may have been gained in employment, education, or you may have taken time away from these activities in order to raise a family, care for a dependant, or travel for example.   

We actively encourage applications from all genders, cultures, ethnic groups and demographics. Your application will be judged solely on the basis of how you demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria outlined above and we are happy to consider evidence of transferable skills or experience which you may have gained outside the context of paid employment or education.  

Please note that submissions generated by AI tools may be disqualified from consideration. 

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Early applications are recommended as the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is appointed.  

You will be notified of the progress of your application by e-mail. Please check your spam/junk mail regularly to ensure that you receive all e-mails.