HR Payroll Assistant (M/F) – reference: 1128

Centrale Nantes is a prestigious engineering school that awards degrees to engineers, master’s students and PhD candidates following academic programmes based on the latest developments in science and technology and on best management practices.

As a member of the Groupe des Écoles Centrales (Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes and Paris), our school provides high-quality education for highly selected students.

A public institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Centrale Nantes has over 2,250 students, 500 staff members and 600 part-time staff.

Job description:

You will join the four-person Budget and Operations Unit within the Directorate of Financial Affairs and the Accounting Agency (FAAA).

As the financial manager for one or more laboratories, your role will be to oversee the financial and accounting management—including both expenditures and revenues—of a portfolio of multi-year research contracts.

Your responsibilities

• Verify the compliance of research contracts, create transactions in the financial information system, and set up budget allocations.

• Provide financial oversight of research contracts, including those requiring complex financial engineering.

• Approve funding for hires associated with research contracts and verify payroll-related budget allocations.

• Collect and prepare the financial documentation required by funders, ensuring compliance.

• Review requests for budget reallocations during the budget preparation process.

• Participate in year-end closing procedures and monitor project progress to ensure budget balance.

• Monitor changes in financial rules and procedures, communicate this information, and advise managers and project leaders.

• Propose and implement budget monitoring tools, while disseminating information on financial rules and procedures to managers and contributing to the improvement of practices.

Hard skills:

• General knowledge of budgeting and accounting

• Excellent proficiency in Excel

• Ability to analyze financial and contractual documents

• Ability to analyze accounting and financial data

• Ability to provide clear and concise financial reports, including the role of raising alerts

• Strong time management and prioritization skills

Soft skills :

• Independence

• Diligence / Reliability

• Teamwork

• Professional communication skills

  Flexibility in dealing with tight deadlines and fluctuating workloads (budget planning and financial closing)

Required qualifications: You hold a DUT or BTS degree in management accounting, finance, or project management, and have a proven track record of professional success.

What we offer:

• 12-month fixed-term contract

• Position open to contract employees

• Category A – Assistant Engineer

• Full-time position – based in Nantes

• Flexible hours

• Adjustable work schedules (option to work 4.5 days)

• RTT + additional leave

• Health insurance and retirement plan

• Remote work possible

• Remote work allowance

• Free parking

• 75% transportation reimbursement

• Sustainable mobility bonus (for biking or carpooling)

Compensation: according to the French civil service pay scales

Position available: September 2026

HR Contact: Guénolée COTTINEAU

Manager Contact: Sophie ROUTHIEAU

This job posting uses terms such as “candidate,” “engineer,” “manager,” etc. These titles should be understood as gender-neutral and apply to both men and women.

Centrale de Nantes is committed to equality and diversity. In accordance with our institution’s CSR commitments, this position is open to all.