Associate Director, Grants & Contracts Accounting

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Grants & Contracts Accounting serves as the primary operational and strategic partner to the Director, providing day-to-day leadership of the Grants & Contracts Accounting (GCA) function for a large medical college within a major research university. This role oversees the full post-award accounting lifecycle for approximately $500 million in annual sponsored research revenue, ensuring compliance with federal, state, private sponsor, and university requirements.

Acting as the Director's right hand, the Associate Director leads and coordinates a management team consisting of one Senior Manager and three Managers, providing direction, escalation support, and technical expertise across a complex and highly regulated portfolio of grants and contracts. The role is responsible for operational execution, internal controls, staff leadership, process optimization, audit readiness, and cross-campus collaboration with Research Administration, Principal Investigators (PIs), Compliance, and Finance.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the Director's primary operational partner, overseeing daily operations of the Grants & Contracts Accounting team and acting as the senior escalation point for complex or high-risk post-award matters.
• Provide leadership and direction to a management team consisting of one Senior Manager and three Managers, ensuring consistent performance, accountability, and application of grants and contracts accounting policies.
• Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), sponsor terms and conditions, and university policies across all federal, state, foundation, industry-sponsored, and clinical trial awards.
• Oversee sponsor invoicing, drawdowns, and accounts receivable, ensuring timely cash collections, resolution of billing issues, and accurate sponsored cash flow reporting.
• Review and approve complex or non-routine financial transactions, reports, and adjustments, exercise sound judgment to manage compliance, financial, and reputational risk.
• Lead initiatives to streamline workflows, enhance automation and improve data integrity.
• Serve as a liaison with sponsors, auditors and internal stakeholders on post-award financial administration.
• Act as a trusted advisor to PIs, department administrators, and research leadership, and represent Grants & Contracts Accounting on institutional committees and cross-functional initiatives.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance or related field

Experience

• CPA preferred, with public accounting experience strongly desired; experience in higher education, healthcare, or other complex NFP environments highly valued
• 5 - 7 years of progressively responsible experience in grants and contracts accounting or research administration, including leadership roles
• Significant experience in a large academic medical center or major research university environment
• Deep expertise in Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and sponsor regulations, including federal, foundation, and industry-sponsored awards
• Demonstrated success leading managers and complex teams and overseeing high-volume, high-dollar sponsored research portfolios
• Strong experience with audit management, including Single Audits and federal agency reviews, and cross-functional coordination
• Experience overseeing clinical trial accounting and industry-sponsored research
• Experience with SAP or Workday strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced technical, analytical, and organizational skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment in a highly regulated environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence and partner across all organizational levels.
• Proven self-starter with the ability to operate independently while collaborating effectively in a matrixed environment.