Research Funding Assurance Manager

About us

UCL is a radically different university. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, we were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women to university education. Today, UCL has over 50,000 students and 15,000 staff, is one of the world's top ten universities, and is recognised as one of the most successful research institutions globally, consistently ranked in the QS World University Rankings ) and placed 2nd in the UK for research power and 1st in London ().

Playing a key role in supporting UCL's research portfolio of around 4,500 active research awards and contracts, with annual research income of approximately £557m, Research and Innovation Services (RIS) supports and advances UCL's position as a world-leading, research-intensive university. Award Services, one of the core teams within RIS, provides specialist advice and support across the externally funded research and innovation lifecycle, working in close partnership with academic and professional services colleagues, collaborating organisations and funders.

As part of the continued development of Award Services, UCL is establishing a new Research Funding Assurance team. This function will strengthen governance, accountability and oversight across research grant management, supporting robust compliance while delivering a responsive, high-quality service to the research community.

The Research Funding Assurance Manager will play a key role in the operational delivery of this new function. Working closely with the Assistant Director, Research Funding Assurance, the postholder will translate strategic objectives into effective day‑to‑day assurance activity across UCL's research funding portfolio.

The role will support the coordination of funder‑initiated and contractual audits, bringing together colleagues across Award Services, RIS and academic departments to ensure audits are well planned, financial evidence is robust, and outcomes are clearly tracked and addressed. This will include collating, reviewing and interpreting financial transactions and supporting documentation to ensure costs charged to research awards are compliant with funder terms and UCL policies.

The postholder will also oversee a range of internal funding assurance activities, including monitoring aged awards, supporting year‑end processes and ensuring follow‑up actions from internal and external audits are implemented effectively.

A central element of the role is building strong, proactive relationships across teams and stakeholder groups. The Manager will provide expert guidance on funder terms and conditions, research grant management and compliance matters, drawing on a detailed understanding of financial data and audit evidence, helping to embed consistent and proportionate assurance practices across pre‑award, post‑award and related functions.

The role will also contribute to continuous improvement, using data and insight from assurance activity to identify risk, inform decision‑making and support service enhancement. This includes working closely with colleagues in RIS Planning, Insight and Improvement and supporting the development of clearer reporting, metrics and guidance for stakeholders.

Please note that this role is open for applications from current UCL staff only.

Interviews are expected to be held in‑person.

You will have significant experience of managing research grants and portfolios within a research‑intensive organisation, with a strong understanding of post‑award processes, funder terms and conditions, and compliance requirements. You will also be able to demonstrate hands‑on experience of working with financial transactions, supporting evidence and audit documentation, and confidence analysing financial data to identify risk or non‑compliance. You will be confident supporting or leading audit activity and advising colleagues on complex or sensitive funding issues.

You will bring experience of working in fast‑paced operational environments, with the ability to manage competing priorities, identify gaps in processes and influence others to adopt improved ways of working. You…