Overview
Financial Manager – European R&I Projects Jobs in Agios Ioannis Rentis, Attiki, Greece at IRES
Title: Financial Manager – European R&I Projects
Company: IRES
Location: Agios Ioannis Rentis, Attiki, Greece
Financial Manager – European R&I Projects
Company profile
We are a Greece-based SME whose entire revenue stream derives from European and nationally co-funded research and innovation projects, primarily under Horizon Europe (RIA, IA, CSA), including sub-granting and lump-sum actions.
The company operates in technically intensive R&D environments and collaborates with research organisations, universities, and industrial partners across Europe.
As financial compliance and audit-readiness are critical to the sustainability of our organisation, we are seeking a Financial Manager with hands-on, end-to-end experience in EU project financial management.
Purpose of the role
The Financial Manager will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a robust, compliant, and auditable financial management framework for EU-funded projects, ensuring that:
- all costs declared are eligible, justified, and traceable,
- reporting is accurate and consistent with Grant Agreement obligations,
- cash flow is predictable and aligned with project timelines,
- the company is fully prepared for EC reviews, checks, and audits at any time.
Core responsibilities (non-exhaustive)Project financial execution
- Full financial lifecycle management of Horizon Europe and similar EU-funded projects, from Grant Agreement signature to final payment
- Translation of technical work plans (DoA, PMs, deliverables) into eligible financial structures
- Continuous monitoring of project budgets per work package, cost category, and reporting period
Eligibility & compliance
- Verification of compliance with the Model and Annotated Grant Agreement
- Eligibility control for:
- personnel costs (employees, self-employed, SME owner unit costs),
- subcontracting and external experts,
- travel and subsistence,
- equipment depreciation,
- other direct costs and indirect costs
- Validation of contracts, remuneration schemes, and working arrangements against Horizon Europe rules
Financial reporting
- Preparation and submission of periodic and final financial statements
- Supporting the coordination of technical and financial reporting consistency
- Internal pre-checks of declared costs before submission
- Management of cost breakdowns, explanations, and justifications requested by coordinators or the EC
Time recording & documentation
- Design, control, and validation of timesheet systems
- Guidance to staff on compliant time recording and documentation practices
- Organisation and maintenance of a complete audit trail (invoices, payroll, contracts, proof of payment, calculations)
Cash-flow & financial planning
- Monitoring of pre-financing, interim, and final payments
- Cash-flow forecasting at company level based on project timelines
- Early identification of financial risks or deviations
Audits & reviews
- Preparation and support during financial audits, reviews, and EC checks
- Direct interaction with auditors, coordinators, and funding authorities
- Implementation of corrective actions following audit findings, where needed
Internal processes
- Development and maintenance of internal financial procedures and templates for EU projects
- Support to the Managing Director in strategic financial decision-making related to EU funding
Required profile
- Proven, hands-on experience in financial management of EU-funded projects, with strong emphasis on Horizon Europe
- In-depth knowledge of eligible cost rules, reporting logic, and audit requirements
- Ability to operate autonomously and take ownership of the financial dimension of projects
- Excellent analytical skills and extreme attention to detail
- Strong written and spoken English (all reporting is in English)
- Ability to communicate financial issues clearly to non-financial, technical teams
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and proactively
Strongly desirable
- Prior involvement in EC financial audits or audit simulations
- Familiarity with mixed funding schemes (actual costs, unit costs, lump sums, sub-grants)
- Comfort working in a high-responsibility role with direct exposure to management decisions
