Manager (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

Job Description

• Assume the Finance Business Partner role for the assigned RIC/RCE within the 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.

The appointment will be on a 2-year contract basis, renewable upon mutual agreement and subject to departmental needs.

Duties & Responsibilities

Financial Management and Oversight

• Oversee the day-to-day financial operations of the Research Institutes and Centres (RICs), 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 RICs, as host institutions, to support effective grant administration by providing financial guidance across the grant lifecycle and facilitating budget allocation across various projects and funding sources, thereby strengthening financial sustainability and enabling research objectives.
• Collaborate with Principal Investigators in the stewardship of grants and funds, proactively identifying issues, resolving them in a timely manner, and ensuring optimal utilisation of funding.
• Ensure a thorough understanding of, and strict compliance with, grant terms and conditions as set out in the letters of award and collaboration agreements.
• Prepare and submit grant claims to funding agencies in a timely manner, ensuring completeness and accuracy of supporting documentation, while coordinating with auditors, fulfilling audit requirements, and responding promptly to queries to enable a smooth and efficient audit process.
• Work in close partnership with RCE/RIC stakeholders, research administration, and central shared services teams during financial year-end and grant closure processes, ensuring all valid transactions are accurately posted and financial reports are complete and reliable.

Governance, Controls and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all relevant tax requirements, including GST, withholding tax, and the treatment of taxable benefits arising from personal claims.
• Perform Risk Control Matrix (RCM) testing in a timely manner, investigate and address exceptions to mitigate financial risks.
• Liaise with internal auditors on all internal audit matters, where required.
• Coordinate and oversee the annual fixed assets verification exercise of RCE/RICs. Work collaboratively with RCE/RICs to ensure compliance with the verification procedures and maintain accurate records of fixed assets.

Leadership

• Execute plans and strategies outlined by Cluster Lead, ensuring that team goals align with the broader NUS / research finance cluster objectives.
• Resolve operational issues and challenges, making decisions with defined parameters and escalating complex issues when necessary.
• Monitor individual and team performance, identify capability and talent gaps, and provide feedback and support in continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Management and Process Improvement

• Engage proactively with RICs stakeholders to understand their needs, challenges and goals, and respond with appropriate support.
• Provide clear and timely guidance on finance policies, guidelines, and procedures, ensuring consistent understanding and application.
• Identify and recommend improvements to policies and processes, streamlining workflows to enhance operational efficiency and optimise resource allocation.
• Participate in change initiatives, including projects and system implementations, as assigned.
• Undertake ad hoc assignments assigned by the Research Finance Cluster Lead.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, ACCA, or equivalent professional qualification, with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership experience, with demonstrated ability to guide teams, manage workloads, and drive operational effectiveness.
• Exposure to grant budgeting, funding agency regulations, and financial compliance within a research or education environment will be advantageous.
• Technically competent with up-to-date knowledge of accounting and audit standards and practices.
• Ability to quickly learn and grasp the implications of terms and conditions for each research grant assigned.
• Highly customer service-focused and strong in communication skills with the ability to build positive working relations and work collaboratively with people at all levels
• Highly analytical with strong problem-solving and organisational skills
• Self-driven and able to work independently in a dynamic environment with competing priorities
• A keen sense of ownership and accountability, with the ability to work with urgency to meet tight deadlines.
• Experience in SAP and proficient in MS Office applications, with and adaptability to new systems and software applications.

The position is only open to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.