Associate Director of Post-Award

Job Description

The Associate Director of Post-Award leads the financial post-award activities of the sponsored projects. This position will engage and collaborate with relevant stakeholders including Deans, Chairs, faculty, staff and departments as well as other institutional leaders and will be responsible for the development and streamlining of business processes that improve the efficiency, education, and customer service of post-award grant management and financial compliance. It is expected that this position will partner with other stakeholders within the university like Human Resources, Payroll, Finance Office, etc. to develop consistent and efficient business processes that are standardized and service focused.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and operational management for sponsored program post-award administration, management and grant accounting.


• Responsible for improving post award management leading to better, more standardized post award sponsored projects’ administration and compliance.


• Provides sponsored projects administration guidance and support to PI/PDs.


• Responsible for financial stewardship of sponsored funds.


• Manages, plans, and evaluates operations to ensure financial compliance with all relevant federal (2 C.F.R. Part 200), state laws, University and Sponsor polices and regulations.


• Leads and serves as the point of contact with auditors and sponsors on all financial matters of sponsored projects. Responsible for the single audit and resolution of potential audit findings.


• Responsible for the development of the post award policies and procedures in cooperation with other relevant departments.


• Responsible for financial management of sponsored projects’ accounts receivable functions, billing/invoicing to sponsors, cash management, requesting drawdowns.


• Manages effort reporting.


• Responsible for the review of sponsored research contracts/agreements in cooperation with other departments, and transmittance of executed contracts/agreements to sponsors, prime institutions and sub-awardees.


• Develops and establishes operating procedures to set up consistent practices and achieve a reputation of standardized, client-facing, excellent service to investigators and university stakeholders.


• Conducts post award research administration education and training for investigators and departmental staff.


• Responds to questions and resolves financial issues related to sponsored program award administration. Solves difficult and complex post-award problems.


• Submits financial reporting documents to Sponsors in cooperation with Principal Investigators/Project Directors on behalf of the University.


• Analyzes financial data to identify trends and areas for improvement in compliance practices.


• Keeps abreast of current compliance issues in research administration through participation in professional associations such as NCURA, and effectively implements and communicates expected changes or new requirements with University investigators and staff.


• Performs other duties as assigned consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.


• Responsible for the award set up; rebudgeting on grants; NCE submissions; subrecipient monitoring; award close out.


• Manages month-end and fiscal year end closing process for grants and accounts receivable. Manages the financial reporting on all sponsored projects’ funds.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education.


• At least seven years of leadership role in sponsored projects administration at the institution of higher education with a proven record of advanced financial management, and post award compliance knowledge and skills.


• Advanced knowledge of federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, and the Federal Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200) as they relate to sponsored program activity.


• Experience working across units to develop policies and procedures and to solicit feedback for the improvement of operations.


• Experience with the resolution of highly complex issues with legal, fiscal, and ethical/compliance implications.


• Advance knowledge in sponsored projects’ accounting, financials, and budgeting.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA from an accredited institution of higher education.


• Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) preferred.


• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to develop long and short-term plans, goals, and objectives, and independently implement and monitor them for achievement.


• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a team and between teams as well as with constituents external to the university creating and maintaining collegial and harmonious working relationships.


• High level of critical thinking, sound judgement, strategic thinking, problem solving, and decision-making abilities.


• Excellent computer skills, advanced knowledge of Excel, ability to develop grant budget templates and prepare complex budgets.


• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

Additional Information

Attain Partners values your mental, emotional, and physical health and wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits package starts on your first day of employment and includes benefits such as:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision coverage, HSA and FSA accounts, life and disability insurance, fertility and family planning benefits, and employee assistance and discount programs


• 11 paid federal holidays and flexible unlimited time off (UTO)


• Generous 401(k) matching with immediate vesting


• Flexible career paths – our career tracks provide advancement, mobility, and flexibility as you continue to grow with us


• A healthy environment where we value unique experiences, and care about everything that makes you, you.

Attain Partners is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Individual base salary for this position is unique to each candidate and will be commensurate with experience, education, and skills, ranging from $95,000 - $105,000. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Interested in this position but the compensation isn’t quite right? Let us know your expectations, and we’ll see if we can make it happen based on your qualifications.

Attain Talent is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. For more Information visit  EEO ,  EEO Poster Supplement ,  Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) , and  Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) .

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.