Associate Director, Grants & Contracts Accounting

Title: Associate Director, Grants & Contracts Accounting

Location: Midtown

Org Unit: Grants and Contracts Accounting

Work Days:

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $138,000.00 - $167,200.00

*As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Grants & Contracts Accounting serves as the primary operational and strategic partner to the Director, providing day-to-day leadership of the Grants & Contracts Accounting (GCA) function for a large medical college within a major research university. This role oversees the full post-award accounting lifecycle for approximately $500 million in annual sponsored research revenue, ensuring compliance with federal, state, private sponsor, and university requirements.

Acting as the Director’s right hand, the Associate Director leads and coordinates a management team consisting of one Senior Manager and three Managers, providing direction, escalation support, and technical expertise across a complex and highly regulated portfolio of grants and contracts. The role is responsible for operational execution, internal controls, staff leadership, process optimization, audit readiness, and cross-campus collaboration with Research Administration, Principal Investigators (PIs), Compliance, and Finance.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the Director’s primary operational partner, overseeing daily operations of the Grants & Contracts Accounting team and acting as the senior escalation point for complex or high-risk post-award matters.
• Provide leadership and direction to a management team consisting of one Senior Manager and three Managers, ensuring consistent performance, accountability, and application of grants and contracts accounting policies.
• Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), sponsor terms and conditions, and university policies across all federal, state, foundation, industry-sponsored, and clinical trial awards.
• Oversee sponsor invoicing, drawdowns, and accounts receivable, ensuring timely cash collections, resolution of billing issues, and accurate sponsored cash flow reporting.
• Review and approve complex or non-routine financial transactions, reports, and adjustments, exercise sound judgment to manage compliance, financial, and reputational risk.
• Lead initiatives to streamline workflows, enhance automation and improve data integrity.
• Serve as a liaison with sponsors, auditors and internal stakeholders on post-award financial administration.
• Act as a trusted advisor to PIs, department administrators, and research leadership, and represent Grants & Contracts Accounting on institutional committees and cross-functional initiatives.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance or related field

Experience

• CPA preferred, with public accounting experience strongly desired; experience in higher education, healthcare, or other complex NFP environments highly valued

• 5 – 7 years of progressively responsible experience in grants and contracts accounting or research administration, including leadership roles
• Significant experience in a large academic medical center or major research university environment
• Deep expertise in Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and sponsor regulations, including federal, foundation, and industry-sponsored awards
• Demonstrated success leading managers and complex teams and overseeing high-volume, high-dollar sponsored research portfolios
• Strong experience with audit management, including Single Audits and federal agency reviews, and cross-functional coordination
• Experience overseeing clinical trial accounting and industry-sponsored research
• Experience with SAP or Workday strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced technical, analytical, and organizational skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment in a highly regulated environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence and partner across all organizational levels.
• Proven self-starter with the ability to operate independently while collaborating effectively in a matrixed environment.

Licenses and Certifications

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

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Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.