DIRECTOR, COST POLICY AND ANALYSIS

DIRECTOR, COST POLICY AND ANALYSIS

Location: Oakland

Job ID: 85205

Position Base: Oakland

Location: UCOP - Franklin Building

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

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Department Overview

UC Controller provides strategic leadership and support of systemwide financial functions including general and investments accounting, capital assets and debt accounting, federal and extramural costing policy, benefits accounting, payroll compliance, financial systems, financial reporting, tax services, and operational excellence. We deliver efficient and effective financial services, provide best practices and guidance to our campus and medical center communities, develop and administer systemwide policies and procedures, and ensure the University's financial systems are compliant with all University, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations.

Position Summary

The University-wide extramural awards expenditures exceeds $5 billion. Under the direction of the Associate Vice President and Systemwide Controller, the Cost Policy and Analysis Unit is responsible for University-wide management of the costing issues applicable to extramurally funded grants and contracts. The unit is responsible for the overall program for the development and negotiation of the systemwide federal government facilities and administrative (F&A) cost rates charged to grants and contracts, including the analysis, development, and maintenance of the University's direct and indirect costing policy, review of procedures and systems to ensure the University's compliance with federal costing regulations, as well as management and coordination of extramural fund audits and resolution of audit findings. When the federal costing regulations are modified, the unit leads the analysis of the impacts, updates policies, and coordinates implementation at all campuses. The unit is also responsible for reviewing all F&A cost rate filings prepared by the campuses. The unit is responsible for the annual federal negotiation of the systemwide composite benefit rates, used for reimbursing benefit costs from grants and contracts for all campuses. The unit is also responsible for the maintenance of the University's composite benefit rate strategy and systemwide policy.

The Director of Cost Policy and Analysis is responsible for managing the work of the unit described above, aligning the work with the team's capabilities and work schedules accordingly. The Director will manage a team of professionals. Under the direction of the Associate Vice President and Systemwide Controller, this position consults with campus and University senior managers and others regarding the strategic planning for cost policy. The Director leads the development and negotiation of F&A rates with the federal government for certain campuses and guides the team in reconciliation of composite benefit rates annually. This position oversees the annual Uniform Guidance compliance audit and coordination of responses to audit findings on behalf of the campuses and interfaces with federal agencies on inquiries. This position is responsible for managing additional projects as assigned by the Associate Vice President and Systemwide Controller. These projects, necessary to ensure compliance with changes in external rules and regulations or to address University requirements, are vital to the operation of the department, often have University-wide impact, and require a high level of knowledge of cost accounting and University operations and original thinking. The success of this position depends on the incumbent's knowledge of complex rules, regulations, and issues and their ability to develop original and innovative solutions to sensitive issues and communicate effectively with federal representatives and senior campus and UCOP management. The Director convenes and provides leadership to the systemwide groups of the extramural fund managers and the Cost Policy managers.

Key Responsibilities

• 40% Systemwide management of the overall subject area of facilities and administrative costs and composite benefit rates: Using expert understanding of Federal rules and regulations, ensure proper development and maintenance of university-wide systems and procedures used to develop and negotiate the University's facilities and administrative cost rates and composite benefit rates applicable to grants and contracts. Ensure that proposals are in compliance with federal requirements. Communicate with various Federal, State, and University offices to obtain information needed to prepare the rate proposals. Coordinate with campuses on the development and preparation of the University's rate proposals and perform independent reviews of all the rate proposals, using expertise in advanced costing and allocation principles. Formulate facilities and administrative cost rate and composite benefit rate negotiation strategy based on University needs and the requirements of the government. Conduct rate negotiations with the federal government on behalf of the University. Develop University-wide policy on the use of F&A cost rates and composite benefit rates. Manage the preparation and maintenance of the University's Costing Accounting Standards Board Disclosure Statements (DS-2) for each campus as required by the federal government. Monitor and analyze the recovery of F&A costs.
• 20% Regulations, Policies, and Procedures: Direct the analysis, evaluation, development, and implementation of applicable University policies and procedures as they affect extramural funds, including accounting, budgeting, academic and other personnel, and compliance with federal and University policies. Coordinate with various UCOP and campus offices as necessary, including to review overlap in costing or accounting policies/procedures with other University policies, such as Research, Academic Personnel and Human Resources policies. Provide information and guidance to appropriate campus and UCOP offices. Coordinate and chair University-wide committees formed to address specific regulatory or policy issues. Formulate and maintain University-wide requirements for Effort Reporting to meet federal regulations. Work with UCPath Center, other UCOP teams and campuses to replace the current effort reporting system.
• 15% Monitoring extramural environment: Evaluate new and existing regulations for financial and operational impact on the University. Recommend a plan of action when appropriate. Prepare position papers and letters to government officials to communicate the University's comments on proposed federal or state rule changes that could impact grants and contracts. Lead working groups of campus and OP personnel to formulate strategy and procedures and when necessary, coordinate the implementation of changes to University systems or policies as required by the extramural environment. Coordinate, strategize and make recommendations to respond to common campus costing or extramural funds management issues arising from federal, state or other sponsor contractual requirements or policies. Coordinate the implementation of changes to the system and/or policy with appropriate functional offices within the University. Represent the University at appropriate national and University association meetings.
• 15% External audits and reviews: Overall management of the annual Uniform Guidance audit, including overseeing audit plan development, coordination with external auditors and campus liaisons, review of audit findings, and circulation of the final report. Partner with the University Internal Audit Office in the overall management of University-wide audits or reviews conducted by federal agencies as well as reviews and audits of University policies, procedures, practices, and systems affecting federal regulatory compliance. Develop strategy and initiate steps to minimize the University's audit exposure and provide guidance to campuses.
• 10% Unit leadership and oversight: Provides leadership, oversight, and mentorship for the Cost Policy and Analysis unit. Responsible for the recruitment, retention, and evaluation of staff. Sets overarching, multi-year unit and individual priorities and objectives. Develops succession plans and cross-training for staff across multiple areas of expertise. Identifies training opportunities to improve the effectiveness and growth of the unit and individual employees. Makes recommendations and implements decisions on departmental issues (operations, budget, staffing needs, employee relations, etc.). Provides leadership in establishing and maintaining strong partnerships with campus locations, UCOP departments, and other key stakeholders. Implements initiatives to advance the AVP/Systemwide Controller's vision, coordinating efforts among the different units as appropriate.

Experience

• Min 10 years of experience in financial management and analysis or equivalent combination of experience and education required

Skills and Abilities

Required Qualifications

• Experience in negotiating complex policy issues within the University and with external Federal audit and policy agencies
• Experience working with regional and national level Federal policy officials
• Subject matter expert in Federal regulations as it relates to funding and accounting policies
• Experience with complex data management systems
• Advanced leadership ability to establish department goals and motivate and influence others to achieve. Supervisory experience and proven ability to establish and accomplish exceptional quality work standards. Strong management skills to lead a group of professionals in this niche area of Cost Policy and Analysis and provide them with career development and learning. Promote team building and consensus, manage multiple projects and responsibilities, interpret and apply regulations to various circumstances.
• Advanced written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills to effectively address complex and potentially sensitive subject matter, including expertise and skill to interact successfully with a diverse array of legal, political, and public entities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels.
• Advanced knowledge of and expertise using proven negotiation methods and the ability to critically analyze a negotiation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of:
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
• Governmental Accounting Standards (GAS)
• Federal grants policy (NIH, NSF, DOE)
• Past and current trends and developments in Federal costing
• Federal Agency funding policy and procedures (NIH, NSF, etc.)
• Uniform Guidance regulations and audit requirements
• Advanced understanding of financial internal controls and ability to ensure compliance
• Experience with UC systems, operations, policies, procedures, and UC information systems.
• Client services orientation, good listening skills, ability to multi-task, critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Experience in financial management and analysis in the higher education sector

Education

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or related field required
• Advanced college degree in finance, accounting or related field preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• CPA or similar certification preferred

Travel Requirements

10% potential for visiting campuses

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

This position is eligible for an onsite, hybrid, or remote work arrangement.