Sponsored Programs Lead, Research Office (College of Medicine, Phoenix)

Do you have experience in Pre & Post Award Grant and/or Contract Management? Are you interested in using your skills to support Clinicians and Research Faculty in Higher Education?

The College of Medicine-Phoenix seeks an innovative, results-oriented individual to join our growing team as a Sponsored Programs Lead. This position will support a portfolio made up of research accounts. To be successful this candidate must have strong grant and contract management, intermediate budget and financial administration skills and be able to perform complex budget and financial analyses. This role will be responsible for assisting with budget development and management, maintaining monthly reporting, and working with managers and staff to provide business reporting support. This job encompasses the management of research accounts across multiple department structures to include potentially working with finance, human resources, payroll, program development and overall administrative operations of assigned departments. Responsibilities include coordinating, standardizing, and improving research processes, policies, and procedures. The role will provide support and direction for admin/financial support staff and serve as a guiding authority for all research budgets within the assigned portfolio.

The lead must be skilled in reviewing, interpreting and applying policy and procedures, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and working with short and competing deadlines. Must possess strong analytical skills and attention to detail and be committed to excellent customer service and support for all departmental stakeholders. The lead is expected to perform assigned duties with minimal guidance and assistance, and to work closely with the College shared services teams. The role will ensure compliance of university, state and federal policies and procedures, and will have the responsibility of maintaining the fiscal and human resource/employee integrity for assigned departments.

Visa sponsorship is available for this positions.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Portfolio Management & Oversight

• Manage a portfolio of sponsored awards to ensure accurate, compliant, and efficient post-award administration with PIs and departmental administrators.
• Oversee the full post-award lifecycle (setup, monitoring, modification, and closeout) to support successful execution of sponsored projects with central offices.
• Serve as the primary financial and compliance advisor to guide decision-making and problem resolution with faculty and leadership.
• Coordinate complex award actions (e.g., no-cost extensions, carryforward, modifications) to maintain alignment with sponsor requirements with research administration.
• Collaborate cross-functionally (finance, HR, procurement, research administration) to resolve complex operational issues with internal partners.
• Serve as a key liaison between departments and central administration to facilitate effective communication and coordination with stakeholders.
• Provide training and consultation on post-award practices to build departmental knowledge and compliance with faculty and staff.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities impacting sponsored projects to ensure seamless operations with internal teams.
• Evaluate existing processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements with leadership.
• Develop tools, templates, and standard practices to enhance consistency and effectiveness of post-award management with teams.
• Contribute to policy interpretation and procedural updates to ensure alignment with evolving regulations with stakeholders.

Advanced Financial Review, Planning, and Budget Management

• Analyze budget-to-actual performance and spending trends to identify risks, optimize resources, and support strategic decision-making with PIs.
• Develop financial projections and burn-rate analyses to ensure funds are utilized appropriately within project timelines with departments.
• Recommend budget strategies and adjustments to align expenditures with project scope and sponsor restrictions with stakeholders.
• Evaluate salary allocations and effort commitments to ensure compliance with effort certification and funding requirements with HR/payroll teams.
• Conduct detailed reviews of complex transactions (cost transfers, subawards, payroll distributions) to ensure allowability and allocability with departments.
• Oversee account reconciliations to ensure accuracy between financial systems and departmental records with finance partners.
• Identify and resolve complex financial discrepancies to maintain integrity of financial data with cross-functional teams.
• Monitor encumbrances, commitments, and expenditures to ensure financial sustainability of awards with stakeholders.

Compliance & Regulatory Interpretation & Risk Mitigation

• Interpret and apply complex sponsor regulations, federal guidelines, and institutional policies to ensure compliant financial and operational practices with departments.
• Provide guidance on complex compliance matters (e.g., allowability, timing of costs, cost sharing) to mitigate institutional risk with PIs and administrators.
• Monitor portfolio activity for compliance risks to proactively prevent audit findings and violations with stakeholders.
• Escalate high-risk or ambiguous issues to ensure appropriate resolution and institutional protection with leadership.
• Lead preparation for audits by reviewing financial activity and documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with oversight units.
• Validate transactions and supporting documentation to confirm adherence to sponsor and institutional requirements with auditors.
• Coordinate responses to audit inquiries and data requests to ensure timely and accurate communication with departments and compliance teams.
• Analyze audit findings and trends to identify root causes and recommend corrective actions with leadership.
• Support implementation and monitoring of corrective action plans to strengthen internal controls and reduce future risk with stakeholders.

Financial and Project Reporting

• Prepare and deliver comprehensive financial reports and analyses to inform PIs and leadership of project performance and status with departments.
• Develop variance analyses and narrative summaries to support informed decision-making and forecasting with stakeholders.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of sponsor financial reports to meet external reporting requirements with central offices.
• Design or enhance reporting tools and dashboards to improve visibility into grant performance with teams.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Skill in preparing detailed reports on a timely basis.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to maintain sensitivity with confidential information.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, and in a professional manner.
• In depth knowledge of and the ability to develop standard operating procedures, compliance forms, and tracking documents.
• Proficient knowledge in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook).

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field of study.
• At least 3 years of higher education or government accounting and budgeting experience for research, including various fund types (recurring operating funds, gifts, grants and indirect cost revenue, auxiliary funds, etc).
• Demonstrated experience managing grants, contracts and other research agreements.
• Demonstrated experience with quality process management and improvement.
• Professional demeanor and regard for confidentiality and handling sensitive information in a discreet manner.

Office of Human Resources, Talent Acquisition

talent@arizona.edu

Application: The online application should be completed in its entirety. Blank or missed information may be considered an incomplete submission.

Cover Letter: Should clearly indicate how your skills and professional employment experience meet the Minimum and the Preferred qualifications (if applicable).