"Senior Assistant Director"

Job Description

The (Sr) Assistant Director/Assistant Director/Specialist - Financial Compliance & Audit is a key contributor within the Research Finance team, responsible for leading efforts related to audit readiness, compliance system management, and financial reporting. This role does not have direct reports initially but may have the opportunity to supervise or mentor staff in the future.

The incumbent will manage internal controls and compliance processes, support financial analysis initiatives, and coordinate internal and external data submissions, including but not limited to the Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey. This position requires strong analytical skills, exceptional attention to detail, and a deep understanding of research compliance and post-award financial management in a complex academic or research-intensive environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the institution's audit response activities related to sponsored research, including internal audits, external audits, and agency reviews.
• Specifically, the UG Audit - including collection, analysis and
• Manage compliance tracking systems, including effort reporting, to ensure adherence to federal, sponsor, and institutional requirements.
• Conduct in-depth financial analyses and reporting to support research operations and strategic planning.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting cycles, including reconciliations, variance analyses, and data validation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for compiling, validating, and submitting data for the HERD survey and other internal and external financial surveys or reports.
• Collaborate with central offices, departments, and external auditors to ensure timely and accurate responses to audit and compliance requests.
• Develop, implement, and maintain tools, dashboards, and spreadsheets for ongoing monitoring of research financial data.
• Ability to create and implement policies and procedures related to any responsibilities related to audit, compliance or research finance
• Identify and address gaps in internal controls and recommend process improvements.
• Partner with Research Finance leadership on compliance policy development and risk mitigation strategies.
• Participate in systems testing, implementation, and continuous improvement related to financial and compliance systems.
• Maintain current knowledge of evolving federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance) and sponsor requirements.

Title and salary commensurate with relevant experience based on the following titles and full-time equivalent hiring ranges:

• Senior Assistant Director: $90,300 - $112,900; 5+ years related professional experience
• Assistant Director: $81,850 - $102,300; 3-5 years related professional experience
• Specialist: $72,450 - $90,550; 0-3 years experience

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Relevant experience in audit, research administration, financial analysis, or compliance within an academic or research institution.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, data analysis tools).
• Demonstrated experience managing audits and interpreting financial compliance regulations.
• Experience with financial reporting, data reconciliation, and large data set analysis.
• Familiarity with research compliance systems and enterprise financial systems (e.g., Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday).
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Research Administrator (CRA), or similar credential.
• Experience working with HERD survey data and other federal or institutional research reporting.
• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), NIH Grants Policy Statement, and other federal research regulations.