Position Summary

The Director of Sponsored Projects Accounting at WashU in St. Louis directs and leads the post award financial grants management activities. Responsibilities include overseeing the sponsored financial services operations and leading the staff to provide state of the art research administration support for faculty and staff in pursuing and conducting research and other sponsored activity.

This position serves as an expert for interpreting, explaining and applying governmental research regulations and sponsor policies related to financial administration. The Director is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring policies, procedures and objectives for financial research administration, including developing effective training programs.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Direct and support the primary financial management processes such as: financial transaction review and approvals, financial reporting and billing and letters of credit.
• Direct and support the account set-up process. Monitor metrics and staff to ensure awards are processed in a timely and accurate manner. In coordination with the Office of Sponsored Research Services and WashU IT, maintain integration with the Research Management System (RMS) and provide support and direction on functionality changes and software upgrades.
• Direct and support the cash receipt/posting process and accounts receivables. Monitor receivable aging data and resolve payment issues while engaging academic unit personnel for support as necessary.
• Direct and support the annual Uniform Guidance, Financial Statement and all other sponsoring agency and/or internal audits. Coordinate the resolution and/or negotiation of audit findings/issues.
• Coordinate and support the implementation internal controls and departmental policies and procedures within SPA to ensure that staff are performing their duties in a proper and effective manner. Participate in setting priorities for upgrades and enhancements with the financial systems (Workday, RMS, Monday.com, Sunrise and Cognos) that may affect the workflow or financial data utilized by the SPA teams.
• Interact and has direct contact with various professionals at funding agencies and within WashU. Maintain knowledge of regulatory and policy changes of federal agencies and pertinent non-federal funding agencies that impact research administration at WashU. Assist with educational classes for the WashU community on research administration topics as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions: Normal office environment.

Physical Effort: Typically sitting at a desk or table.

Equipment: Office equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree

Certifications: No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience: Progressively Responsible Administrator Or Supervisory Functions (7 Years)

Skills: Not Applicable

Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to manage complex operations including organizing and coaching diversified individuals.
• Knowledge of fund accounting, sponsored agreement process (pre- and post-award), Uniform Guidance and other agency specific guidelines.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply regulations to/from external sponsoring agency officials, the University’s research community and associated central units.
• Financial management and research administration experience in a large university.
• Thorough knowledge and working experience with the Workday Financial System, primarily the Grants module.
• Progressively responsible management experience.
• Ability to bring a significant understanding of the issues required in the daily operations in a university sponsored research services office.
• Rapid proficiency of university accounting, HR and research administration systems.
• Analytical mind with a high degree of intelligence and the ability to ‘think on their feet’.
• Ability to research and report upon Federal and private agency accounting, compliance and auditing issues.
• Ability to streamline/automate transaction processing.
• Ability to manage stress in the workplace and maintain a sense of humor.

Education: M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration

Certifications: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Missouri Division of Professional Registration

Work Experience: No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills: Analytical Thinking, Complexity Management, Employee Management, Financial Management, Financial Reports, Financial Research, Fund Accounting, Grant Administration, Process Automations, Process Streamlining, Quick Thinking, Regulatory Requirements, Research Administration, Sponsored Research, Stress Management, Team Diversity, Transaction Processing, Workday Grants Management

Grade

G17

Salary Range

$110,300.00 - $194,200.00 / Annually