Grants and Contracts Associate (Sponsored Awards Specialist) - OVCR

Sponsored Awards Specialist

The Sponsored Awards Specialist will provide assistance and expertise to facilitate and oversee post-award accounting activities for sponsored projects administered by the Office of Sponsored Programs including: applying specialized knowledge about data maintenance to ensure operations are conducted in compliance with University/departmental policies and procedures and applicable state/federal laws, and adhere to contractual obligations; setting up and closing out sponsored project funds; performing complex analysis of post-award financial data/information; assisting with production of managerial business and financial reports; and initiating/performing other administrative responsibilities that requires specialized knowledge about sponsored project post-award administration to effectively integrate established University/sponsor regulations and guidelines with applicable policies and procedures.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for coordinating and performing comprehensive post-award financial accounting activities that require specialized knowledge to process and oversee complex operations related to grants and contracts financial administration, and to manage a higher volume of sponsored projects specific to assigned schools/colleges. This includes managing the post-award lifecycle of sponsored projects, including grant set-up, billing/invoicing, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting, and close-out.
• Develop and produce business and financial reports on post-award financial activities for distribution to departmental business managers and grant administrators, facilitating the timely closeout of federally funded grants and contracts.
• Provide managerial assistance to develop and prepare external interim and final financial close-out reports required by both federal and non-federal sponsors that provide information regarding budgets, expenditures, unobligated balances, property, and other data outlined in the grant and contract terms and conditions. Preparation of reports includes a limited audit of transactions related to restricted and unallowable cost categories to ensure propriety, allocability, correctness, and reasonableness issues align with governing sponsor policies and procedures.
• Provide direction to University officials/staff to facilitate post-award activities, promote consistency in processing functions, and ensure compliance with regulations and guidelines established by University/sponsor constituencies, which requires expertise in post-award administration and specialized knowledge about applicable policies and procedures.
• Responsible for maintaining specialized knowledge about sponsored project terms/conditions related to post-award accounting activities, as well as applicable university/departmental policies and procedures related to establishing and overseeing the administration of sponsored project accounts.
• Conduct detailed, complex review and analysis of sponsor policies and procedures to effectively coordinate and manage pre-audit and post-audit business transactions related to restricted and unallowable cost categories for propriety, allocability, correctness, and reasonableness.
• Responsible for analyzing and assessing customer communication issues to determine and initiate a course of action that effectively addresses concerns and/or resolves problems.
• Provide managerial assistance to establish, implement, and oversee post-award financial and compliance policies for sponsored projects, including identifying areas in which policies need to be developed and/or updated to promote the overall effectiveness of operations and services administered by the Office of Sponsored Programs.
• Serve on University, campus, and/or Office of Sponsored Programs committees/teams as assigned, and participate in the development and implementation of technological enhancements and process re-engineering projects.
• Perform other duties appropriate for the position of Grants & Contacts Associate (Sponsored Award Specialist).

Minimum Qualifications Required:

1. Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics or a field related to the position
2. Demonstrated direct experience in post-award administration of sponsored projects in the central research office at a research-intensive university, including Banner finance modules, managing award set-up, financial reconciliation, and sponsor reporting in compliance with federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance).

• Experience work experience at the University of Illinois or another higher education institution.
• Creativity in independently exercising good judgment and discretion.
• Specialized knowledge about sponsored project post-award administration.
• Knowledge about University business policies and procedures.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Professional skills that successfully merge organizational and customer service objectives.
• Demonstrated teamwork skills to address/resolve difficult, complex issues/problems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft computer programs/applications (including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and Internet Explorer).
• Strong verbal and written communications skills to effectively present information and respond to colleagues and others seeking guidance and/or clarification about issues related to organizational operations.
• Effective multi-tasking capability that promotes quality work while meeting stringent deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with the staff and public.
• Decision making ability.