Grant and Finance Manager

Department

SSD: Local Business Center

About the Department

This position is for the Local Business Center in Social Sciences for a post award grant and finance manager. The Division of the Social Sciences’ Local Business Center (LBC) provides financial and business support to departments and faculty members in the following key areas: budgeting and account administration, grant administration, procurement, and payroll support.

Job Summary

The job works independently to administer pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals/funding within a department or unit.

The job manages projects in monitoring the operating and capital budgets within The Social Sciences Division and/or University-wide administrative units. At the instruction of others, performs work that contributes to development of long- and short-term financial goals, business strategies/plans, and financial forecasts/models for major service programs and initiatives. Utilizes knowledge of finance to help coordinate monthly, quarterly and year-end reporting for all funds in the operating budget. The job manages the post award activities within The Social Sciences Division including reading proposal guidelines, preparing administrative components of award closeout submissions, preparing reporting, performing funding searches, developing and preparing budgets, and monitoring regulatory compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Primary manager for the procurement process, allocation of expenditures for authorization, and advises on communications with funding agencies, subcontractors, and others at the instruction.

• Provides professional support as a primary account administrator for account owners in an intensive customer service environment.

• Oversees gift and endowment accounts, departmental operating accounts and faculty unrestricted research accounts.

• Approve all transactions charged to restricted and unrestricted accounts so that expenditures agree with account budgets.

• Approve and transfer payroll and expenditures, monitor invoicing and payments, and reconcile charges using monthly ledgers and FAS.

• Analyzes and prepares budgets and projections, creates accounts, and works with the financial accounting system to allocate, authorize, monitor, and control expenses.

• Prepares monthly reports, conducts and correct errors in accounts using existing procedures that are in place, and provides advice on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions.

• Ensures timely and accurate submission of DDRIG pre-award proposals and renewals to University Research Administration. Ensures that all applications meet agency and University guidelines, published timetables, and deadlines.

• Manages all aspects of post-award administration including award budgeting, award management, award reporting, and award closeout.

• Manages the post-award activities including account creation, regulatory compliance monitoring, salary allocations and effort reporting, lab order processing, invoice preparation, payment processing, cost center charges, cost transfers, summer salary processing, grant projections, grant closing processes and account closing.

• Serves as liaison between PIs, University administrative offices, and external agencies.

• Assists in preparation of summaries for Principal investigators of grant projections and responds to questions from Principal Investigators.

• Coordinates and ensures completion of annual, final, and ad hoc financial requirements and keeps the Principal Investigator informed of progress.

• Interacts with University Research Administration, Faculty, Department Pre-Award Staff, Department Human Resources, Pre/Post Award staff in other departments and Financial Services Office personnel.

• Ensures service and communication to PIs, standardized information, best practices development, and that all faculty and research staff are aware of any new grant policies and changes.

• Analyzes industry trends and remains current with agency and regulatory changes. Monitors department/ unit compliance with University, Divisional and Department policies and procedures and implements corrective actions for issues identified. 

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelors degree.

Experience:

• Work experience in accounting or related field.

• Progressively responsible experience in administrating sponsored research, pre and post-award.

• Working with enterprise-wide financial and sponsored research systems.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Create verbal and written reports.

• Computer proficiency, including solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite, email, etc.

• Intermediate proficiency with Excel; skilled with spreadsheets and utilizing linked documents, vlookup, pivot tables, and macros.

• Proficiency in University of Chicago systems such as AURA, Oracle, Workday,  PECCS, GEMS/Concur, etc.

• Proficient with various funding agency systems.

• Knowledge of University policies and procedures related to sponsored research administration.

• Knowledge of federal rules and regulations related to sponsored research funding.

Preferred Competencies

• Lead by example in managing a detail-oriented workload, to organize and prioritize workload during high-pressure, high-volume periods, and to remain poised and professional.

• High-level of interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to work with a variety of staff, students, faculty, and senior leadership.

• Make decisions independently that will have downstream positive impacts on the management of sponsored projects.

• Analyze data and formulate conclusions.

• Assign and prioritize duties across available resources.

• Work with minimal supervision and interact with faculty and administrators from different institutions and outside entities to make independent decisions.

• Learn new skills, take on new challenges, and effectively interact and collaborate with all levels of University administrators and faculty members.

• Influence and motivate direct reports.

• Embraced continuous improvement of skills, including communication (oral and written), planning, problem-solving, organizational, project management, and customer service.

• Manage and prioritize multiple projects and tasks.

• Communicate both verbally and in writing with all levels of people, internally and externally.

• Self-motivated and exercise sound judgment in prioritizing tasks.

• Exercise sound judgment and absolute discretion regarding confidential matters with professionalism and tact.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover letter (required)

• References (3)(required)

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$81,158.85 - $105,029.10

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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