Job Overview

Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Sponsored Projects Financial Operations (SPFO), the Manager of Sponsored Projects Data & Portfolio Management leads SPFO’s operational intelligence, portfolio management, and workforce planning functions in support of the University’s sponsored research enterprise. The position is responsible for developing and maintaining structured award portfolio assignments, monitoring operational workload and portfolio complexity, supporting data-driven operational planning, and advancing workflow optimization initiatives across SPFO.

The position also supports the office’s strategic efforts related to process improvement, automation, predictive analytics, and AI-enabled operational tools designed to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort.

In addition, Manager also maintains direct operational responsibility for a designated portfolio of sponsored awards, including sponsor billing, financial reporting, award setup review, and award closeout activities, ensuring continued hands-on technical expertise and operational awareness.

Additional duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop operational reporting, dashboards, and portfolio tracking tools to support data-driven decision-making and workflow optimization.

• Support process improvement, automation, predictive analytics, and GMS enhancement initiatives to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

• Collaborate with SPFO leadership and operational teams to strengthen workflow coordination, business continuity, and operational best practices.

• Maintain responsibility for a designated portfolio of sponsored awards, including sponsor billing, financial reporting, award setup review, and financial closeout activities.

• Provide customer service, operational guidance, and support to faculty, principal investigators, departmental administrators, and research support staff.

• Support audit readiness, sponsor reviews, and strategic operational initiatives across SPFO.

Work Interactions

The Manager directly reports to the Senior Director of SPFO. This position operates as a matrix leader, working daily with SPFO staff, Principal Investigators (PIs), Grant Managers, Department Administrators, Senior Business Managers, Office of Joint Research Administration (JORA) staff, the GMS Core Team and external sponsors.

Impact

This position plays a key role in strengthening SPFO’s operational agility, workload coordination, and data-driven decision-making across the sponsored research enterprise. Through portfolio management, operational analytics, process improvement, and workforce planning efforts, the Manager helps improve operational efficiency, business continuity, service delivery, and the effective management of sponsored financial operations across the University.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Data Analytics, Information Systems, or a related field.

• Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CRA, CFRA, PMP, data analytics certification) preferred but not required.

• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible accounting, financial analysis, or sponsored research administration experience.

• Minimum of four (4) years of direct experience managing grants and contracts within a complex research environment.

• Experience within a university, academic medical center, hospital, or research-intensive environment preferred.

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, sponsored project financial management, and research administration processes.

• Experience with computerized financial and research administration systems.

• Strong analytical, operational reporting, and data interpretation skills.

• Experience with portfolio reporting, dashboards, operational data analysis, or data visualization tools preferred.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, reporting, and reconciliation.

• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), federal grant regulations, sponsor compliance requirements, and related costing principles.

• Experience interpreting and applying sponsor regulations, University policies, and financial compliance requirements.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

• Ability to lead or support process improvement, workflow optimization, and operational efficiency initiatives.

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills

Work Mode Designation

This position has been designated as Hybrid. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University.  Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: .

Pay Range:

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is:

Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors.