Details
Open Date 08/25/2025
Requisition Number PRN42929B
Job Title Sr. Dir, Grant/Contract
Working Title Assoc Dir, Grant Finance
Job Grade H
FLSA Code Professional
Patient Sensitive Job Code? No
Standard Hours per Week 40
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Shift Day
Work Schedule Summary
Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 5:00
VP Area President
Department 00359 - Grants & Contracts Accounting
Location Campus
City Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment External Posting
Pay Rate Range $129,350
Close Date 11/25/2025
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) 09/25/2025
Job Summary
The University of Utah is one of the nation's premier R1 research institutions, generating over $700 million annually in research activity that drives innovation, discovery, and economic growth. As Utah's flagship university, the institution is deeply committed to advancing knowledge, fostering discovery, and serving as an engine of economic and societal impact for the state and beyond.
Within this environment, the Office of Research Management & Compliance ( RMC ) plays a critical role in ensuring research is supported with strong financial stewardship, integrity, and accountability. RMC is undergoing a period of exciting transformation - expanding staff capacity, implementing new service models, modernizing business processes, and streamlining technology solutions.
The Associate Director for Financial Research Administration provides strategic and operational leadership over the University's core post-award financial research administration portfolio, including sponsor invoicing, accounts receivable, award setup, modifications, closeouts, financial reporting, and expense management. This position directs multiple teams and leaders, with an early focus on building a high-performing staff to support the University's rapidly growing research enterprise.
As a senior leader within RMC , the Associate Director partners with the Executive Director and colleagues across campus to set vision and strategy for the department, drive process improvement, and implement forward-looking solutions that improve compliance, efficiency, and customer service, and that scale with the institution's growing research portfolio. Success requires a collaborative, energetic, and adaptable leader who embraces change and thrives in building relationships across diverse stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
Directs and oversees post-award financial operations including sponsor invoicing, accounts receivable, award setup, modifications, closeouts, financial reporting, and expense transfers.
Establishes performance measures such as metrics, service levels, escalation paths, and KPIs to ensure consistent operations, accountability, and client satisfaction.
Identifies gaps, redundancies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for efficiency in business processes and systems; implements solutions that improve compliance and streamline operations.
Directs, develops, and mentors senior managers, assistant managers, and staff across multiple functional areas; ensures staff competency and professional development through training, coaching, and ongoing performance management.
Leads the department's transition from paper-based processes to digital, technology-enabled workflows; partners with IT and other offices to align and streamline pre- and post-award systems.
Champions a client-centric operating model by developing processes, standards, and training that improve the experience of faculty, administrators, and sponsors.
Facilitates cooperative and collaborative relationships across campus and with external partners; represents RMC on University-wide committees and working groups.
Provides strategic guidance to University leadership on post-award finance trends, risks, and opportunities, including the impact of federal and sponsor policy changes.
Promotes RMC's mission and vision by fostering cooperative relationships and advancing the University's reputation for research excellence.
Problem Solving
The Associate Director is responsible for addressing strategic, complex, and often unprecedented challenges in post-award financial administration. This includes balancing compliance with federal and sponsor regulations against the need for efficient, customer-focused service delivery, and making sound decisions under conditions of uncertainty.
The role requires a forward-thinking leader who can analyze multifaceted issues, anticipate downstream impacts of financial and operational changes, and develop solutions that improve both compliance and customer experience. Problems are escalated to executive leadership only when they involve significant institutional risk, policy changes, or issues outside established guidelines.
Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required
Nearly Continuously: Office environment.
Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required
Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.
Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.
Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Disclaimer:
This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's Degree + six years of related experience or Bachelor's degree + 10 years of related experience or 18 years of related experience or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience).
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
Demonstrated leadership experience in research administration, with expertise in post-award financial functions.
Proven ability to lead through change and deliver results in a complex, compliance-driven environment.
Supervisory experience managing large, multi-functional teams (15+ FTE ), with ability to mentor and develop leaders.
Experience implementing client-centric service models in higher education or research administration.
Demonstrated success in process improvement, organizational redesign, or technology transformation projects.
Skill in data analytics, KPI development, and reporting to drive decision-making and measure performance.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups.
Commitment to a leadership approach grounded in mission, values, and people-first principles
Type Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.
All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
