Qualifications
Responsibilities
Benefits
Department
BSD ADM - Post Award
Job Summary
Responsibilities
Payroll Costing and Allocation Analysis
Analyze and manage payroll costing allocations charged to sponsored research accounts to ensure accuracy and compliance with sponsor requirements.
Review salary distributions for faculty, staff, and trainees to confirm alignment with effort commitments, approved budgets, and project timelines.
Identify discrepancies in payroll allocations and work with departments to implement timely corrections or adjustments.
Provide guidance on appropriate salary charging practices, effort commitments, and payroll allocation strategies for sponsored projects.
Monitor payroll projections to ensure sufficient funding remains available to support personnel commitments through the life of the award.
Ad-hoc Sponsored Project Financial Management
Manage the financial oversight of a portfolio of sponsored research awards from federal, foundation, and industry sponsors.
Monitor project expenditures to ensure alignment with approved budgets, sponsor terms, and institutional policies.
Prepare detailed financial analyses, forecasts, and projections to support responsible award management.
Review transactions including payroll distributions, cost transfers, procurement charges, and subaward activity.
Compliance and Risk Management
Ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines, federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance), and institutional policies.
Identify potential compliance risks and work proactively with faculty and departments to resolve issues.
Review effort reporting, cost sharing commitments, and allowability of expenses.
Support audit preparation and respond to sponsor or internal audit requests.
Reporting and Analysis
Prepare financial reports for principal investigators, departments, and central administration.
Analyze award spending trends and provide recommendations to ensure funds are utilized appropriately within project timelines.
Assist with closeout preparation including final financial reviews and reconciliation.
Systems and Process Improvement
Utilize institutional financial systems (e.g., enterprise financial platforms, research administration systems) to track award activity.
Develop and maintain reporting tools and dashboards to improve financial visibility.
Identify opportunities to improve post-award processes, data accuracy, and operational efficiency.
Mentorship and Leadership
Provide guidance and training to junior analysts and departmental administrators.
Contribute to the development of best practices and standard operating procedures for post-award management.
Solves complex problems in support for the research enterprise within a department or unit, including pre- and/ or post-award administration for all sponsored activity. Serves as liaison between PIs, University administrative offices, and external agencies.
Recommends 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.
Monitors 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:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or related field strongly preferred.
Master’s degree in business, public administration, or related field, strongly preferred.
Experience:
Experience working in higher education research administration.
Familiarity with enterprise financial systems such as Oracle Cloud and Workday.
Professional certification such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
Preferred Competencies
Financial analysis and data interpretation.
Payroll costing and effort compliance oversight.
Regulatory compliance and policy interpretation.
Communication and stakeholder partnership.
Problem solving and critical thinking.
Process improvement and operational efficiency.
Working Conditions
Remote work environment.
Applicant Documents
Resume (required)
Cover Letter (preferred)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
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
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 theBenefits Guidebook.
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