Essential Job Duties

We are seeking a Fiscal Manager to serve as a trusted financial partner within the College of Education, supporting the teaching, research, and outreach activities that advance the College's mission. In this role, you will manage a complex portfolio of sponsored research, contracts, and foundation-funded initiatives, ensuring the responsible stewardship of external funding and compliance with sponsor, federal, state, and university requirements.

You will work closely with principal investigators, faculty, staff, and college leadership to provide strategic financial guidance throughout the lifecycle of funded projects. Through financial planning, post-award administration, and compliance oversight, you will help faculty navigate complex financial requirements, make informed decisions, and maximize the impact of their research and programmatic initiatives.

Key responsibilities fall within the following 3 functional areas outlined below:

Professional Expertise & Compliance Oversight

• Serve as the college's subject matter expert on sponsored project financial management and cost accounting standards.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, sponsor, and university regulations to ensure compliant fiscal operations.
• Advise faculty, staff, and leadership on financial management practices, expenditure allowability, and compliance requirements.
• Analyze complex fiscal issues, recommend solutions, and identify opportunities to improve financial processes and controls.

Financial Management & Sponsored Programs Administration

• Manage the financial administration of sponsored research, contracts, and foundation-funded projects from award setup through closeout.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, and projections to ensure accurate and compliant use of funds.
• Review and process grant-related financial transactions and reporting activities.
• Maintain audit-ready records and ensure timely completion of sponsor and university requirements.
• Collaborate with university partners to resolve complex fiscal and compliance matters.

Strategic Financial Planning & Analysis

• Develop financial forecasts, budget projections, and expenditure analyses to support decision-making.
• Evaluate financial performance, identify risks, and recommend strategies to support fiscal sustainability.
• Provide financial insights to principal investigators and college leadership on sponsored program activities.
• Contribute to special projects, process improvements, and other initiatives that strengthen college operations.

If you are a collaborative financial professional who enjoys partnering with faculty, navigating complex sponsored funding environments, and providing strategic guidance that supports research and educational excellence, we encourage you to apply.

Other Work/Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.

Minimum Experience/Education

Bachelor's degree with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or Associate's degree in Accounting; or Associate's degree in Business or related discipline with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated success managing sponsored research awards, grants, contracts, or other externally funded projects in a higher education, governmental, nonprofit, healthcare, or similarly complex organization.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and the ability to interpret and apply sponsor, federal, state, and organizational financial policies and regulations.
• Proficiency in budget management, account reconciliation, financial reporting, and oversight of multiple funding sources.
• Ability to analyze financial data, identify risks, and develop solutions that support compliant and effective fiscal operations.
• Skill in communicating financial information and recommendations to individuals with varying levels of financial expertise.
• Proficiency with enterprise financial systems and spreadsheet software used for budgeting, reporting, and financial analysis.
• Capacity to independently manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, and deliver responsive customer service in a deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) as they relate to sponsored research administration.
• Familiarity with interpreting and applying sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and complex regulatory guidance in a higher education or large organizational setting.
• Proven success building and sustaining collaborative relationships with principal investigators, faculty, staff, and external partners in support of sponsored programs.
• Exposure to NC State financial and/or HR systems or comparable enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms used in research or financial administration.