Research Financial Administrator Associate

Posted: 18-Feb-26

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 274132

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Provide high level financial forecasting and management support to assigned faculty, predominantly sponsored basic science research and training grants but also including gift and discretionary funds. This support includes, but is not limited to proactively advising faculty on proper management of funds through monthly reconciling and analysis; proactively alerting faculty to budget deviations and suggesting alternative appropriate courses of action to insure projects are managed on budget; insuring proper accounting of funds; budgeting funds consistent with sponsor/donor intent with direction from faculty; insuring encumbrances are properly accounted for; insuring funds are managed consistent with sponsor and institutional policies, or donor intent; establishing and monitoring sub-contract awards and sub-contracts to other institutions; advising administrative and lab staff on allowability and allocability for procurement, including initiation of P-Card and expense reports and troubleshooting issues; reviewing receivables and invoicing for sponsored activity as appropriate; serving as a liaison for faculty with Sponsored Programs and ORSP staff as appropriate to insure projects are set-up and closed out consistent with expectations as well as sponsor and institutional policies; insure backup documentation is compiled and appropriately filed as needed; and managing post-award change requests, budget allocations to sub-projects, UG Monitoring reports, and other related sponsored program and research related activities. This person will work closely and proactively with PIs to develop budgets, forecasts, and reports for their entire funding portfolio, monitor burn rates, and analyze and explain variances, while keeping the department administrator apprised. This position reports to the Research Administration Manager and will work closely with other departmental staff to coordinate the workflow of financial activities.

Other departmental duties, as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in business or related field or equivalent combination of education and work experience
• A minimum of 1 year of related experience including, but not limited to, interpreting sponsor guidelines, completing sponsor forms, and/or budgets and budget justifications
• Strong accounting background especially in the area of sponsored programs and federal requirements
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office
• Managing sponsored, general, auxiliary, and/or gift funds
• Demonstrated attention to detail, analytical and customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide variety of customers
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks
• Proven ability to work effectively and efficiently, both as a member of a team and independently
• This position requires a motivated person who works well under deadline pressure and can operate responsibly and independently.
• A successful candidate will work to cultivate trust and rapport with a variety of constituents including departmental faculty and staff, medical school and university administration, and sponsors.

To be considered for this position the applicant must have met or will have met all the required qualifications prior to the start date of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• A working knowledge of the University including eRPM, M-Pathways, M-Reports, Business Objects, eResearch, FINPROD, NIH eRA Commons, and completing university forms
• Understanding of ORSP, Sponsored Programs and Medical School operations
• Ability to manage multiple proposal submissions

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.