Finance Operations Associate

What You’ll Do

The scope of the role will evolve as ARIA continues to grow, but will broadly involve the following:

• Keep ARIA’s finance engine moving: You’ll assist in the day to day running of our procure-to-pay processes, helping make sure suppliers are onboarded, invoices are processed, approvals move smoothly, and payments happen accurately and on time. You aren’t just processing transactions - you’re helping ensure that the scientists, engineers, programme teams and partners we work with can focus on ambitious R&D, knowing the finance operations behind them are thoughtful, reliable and well run.
• Be a trusted first point of contact for finance operations: You’ll help manage the finance inbox and reply to queries from colleagues, suppliers and partners with clarity, care and pace. You’ll act as an ambassador for the Finance team, making sure every interaction is helpful, human and well owned - whether you’re resolving a supplier question, helping a colleague learn new processes, or spotting where a recurring query points to something we could improve.
• Build the knowledge and systems that help us scale: Working closely with the Finance Operations Manager, you’ll help refine and professionalise our internal finance knowledge base, guidance, templates and process notes. You’ll make sure our ways of working are easy to comprehend, consistently applied and high quality - turning repeat questions or manual workarounds into clear, useful resources that help the whole organisation move faster and with more confidence.
• Improve how finance work gets done: You’ll support process improvement projects across finance operations, from implementing new tools and apps to using AI and automation to reduce manual work. You’ll work closely with the Finance Operations Manager, Head of Finance Operations, and wider Operations team to identify friction, test better ways of doing things, and help build simple, scalable solutions that balance ARIA’s start up energy with the duty and transparency expected of a publicly funded organisation.

Who You Are

A successful candidate will bring the following skills/experience:

Essential Criteria

• High Autonomy: We don’t micromanage; we trust you to take full accountability, proactively identifying bottlenecks and helping build solutions before problems escalate.
• Agile & Adaptable: You thrive in environments where the "right way" isn’t always written down.
• Detail Obsessed: You understand that in a high stakes agency, small details and error free numbers build the credibility needed to succeed.
• Organised and responsive: You can manage a busy inbox or task list, prioritise sensibly, keep people updated and follow work through to completion.
• Systems confident and curious: You pick up new tools quickly and are comfortable using systems, spreadsheets and structured data to organise, track and improve work.
• Good judgement and integrity: You understand that finance work involves confidential information, public money and important controls. You are thoughtful about when to move quickly and when to escalate.
• Collaborative and low ego: You enjoy working with others, are happy to get stuck into the basics and value brilliance without pretension.

Desirable Criteria

• This is an entry level role, although some work experience - through a job, internship - in a fast-paced, start-up/scale-up environment is preferable.
• You do not need to be a technical expert, but you are interested in how AI, automation and better workflows can remove friction from repetitive tasks while maintaining good controls.
• Exposure to procure-to-pay, accounts payable, supplier management, expenses, procurement, invoicing or finance systems.
• Confidence with Excel or Google Sheets, including basic formulas, data checks or organising information clearly.
• An interest in science, technology, R&D, public purpose organisations or ARIA's mission.
• Interest in building towards a finance qualification over time, although this is not required for the role.

Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry!

If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.

ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility. You can read our policy here. Our research and development activity will abide by the 3Rs principle. You can read about those here.