Senior Analyst, Post-Award Support

Role Description

The job uses specialized knowledge and breadth of expertise within the University leading to administer pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals/funding within a department or unit. The Senior Analyst, Post-Award Support provides advanced financial and administrative analysis of sponsored research awards. This role ensures compliance with federal, sponsor, and institutional policies while supporting principal investigators (PIs) and departmental administrators in the effective financial stewardship of research funds. Reporting to the Director of Post Award, the Senior Analyst serves as a subject matter expert in post-award administration, analyzing financial data, monitoring sponsored awards and internal funding activities across the biological sciences division.

Responsibilities

• Payroll Costing and Allocation Analysis
  • Analyze and manage payroll costing allocations charged to sponsored research accounts to ensure accuracy and compliance with sponsor requirements.
  • Review salary distributions for faculty, staff, and trainees to confirm alignment with effort commitments, approved budgets, and project timelines.
  • Identify discrepancies in payroll allocations and work with departments to implement timely corrections or adjustments.
  • Provide guidance on appropriate salary charging practices, effort commitments, and payroll allocation strategies for sponsored projects.
  • Monitor payroll projections to ensure sufficient funding remains available to support personnel commitments through the life of the award.
• Ad-hoc Sponsored Project Financial Management
  • Manage the financial oversight of a portfolio of sponsored research awards from federal, foundation, and industry sponsors.
  • Monitor project expenditures to ensure alignment with approved budgets, sponsor terms, and institutional policies.
  • Prepare detailed financial analyses, forecasts, and projections to support responsible award management.
  • Review transactions including payroll distributions, cost transfers, procurement charges, and subaward activity.
• Compliance and Risk Management
  • Ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines, federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance), and institutional policies.
  • Identify potential compliance risks and work proactively with faculty and departments to resolve issues.
  • Review effort reporting, cost sharing commitments, and allowability of expenses.
  • Support audit preparation and respond to sponsor or internal audit requests.
• Reporting and Analysis
  • Prepare financial reports for principal investigators, departments, and central administration.
  • Analyze award spending trends and provide recommendations to ensure funds are utilized appropriately within project timelines.
  • Assist with closeout preparation including final financial reviews and reconciliation.
• Systems and Process Improvement
  • Utilize institutional financial systems (e.g., enterprise financial platforms, research administration systems) to track award activity.
  • Develop and maintain reporting tools and dashboards to improve financial visibility.
  • Identify opportunities to improve post-award processes, data accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Mentorship and Leadership
  • Provide guidance and training to junior analysts and departmental administrators.
  • Contribute to the development of best practices and standard operating procedures for post-award management.
  • Solves complex problems in support for the research enterprise within a department or unit, including pre- and/or post-award administration for all sponsored activity.
  • Serves as liaison between PIs, University administrative offices, and external agencies.
  • Recommends service and communication to PIs, standardized information, best practices development, and that all faculty and research staff are aware of any new grant policies and changes.
  • Monitors industry trends and remains current with agency and regulatory changes.
  • Monitors department/unit compliance with University, Divisional and Department policies and procedures and implements corrective actions for issues identified.
  • Performs other related work as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or related field strongly preferred.
• Master’s degree in business, public administration, or related field, strongly preferred.
• Experience working in higher education research administration.
• Familiarity with enterprise financial systems such as Oracle Cloud and Workday.
• Professional certification such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA).

Preferred Competencies

• Financial analysis and data interpretation.
• Payroll costing and effort compliance oversight.
• Regulatory compliance and policy interpretation.
• Communication and stakeholder partnership.
• Problem solving and critical thinking.
• Process improvement and operational efficiency.

Working Conditions

• Remote work environment.

Applicant Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family

• Financial Management

Role Impact

• Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

• 40

Drug Test Required

• No

Health Screen Required

• No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

• No

Pay Rate Type

• Salary

FLSA Status

• Exempt

Pay Range

• $100,000.00 - $130,000.00

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.