Assistant Director, Sponsored Projects Compliance

Overview

Assistant Director, Sponsored Projects Compliance
Department: Research Administration
School: University General

POSITION OBJECTIVE
The assistant director, sponsored projects compliance is responsible for leading and managing the post-award financial compliance program. General responsibilities include managing the university's effort reporting process, overseeing an effective audit function within ORA (i.e. responsible for sub-recipient monitoring, subcontractor compliance, Uniform Guidance compliance), ensuring compliance with 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and relevant program-specific compliance requirements, and responsible for overseeing the development of and coordinating the implementation of policies, procedures and practices necessary to achieve compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations and sponsor requirements. These tasks will be conducted in close collaboration with the academic administration, pre-award unit in the Office of Research Administration, the Office of Grants and Contracts in the School of Medicine, and management centers. The assistant director, sponsored projects compliance directly supervises 1 professional employees.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist in developing, updating and disseminating the university's sponsored projects policies to achieve compliance with 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements. This includes working with senior staff in ORA, in other central administration offices, and sponsored projects administrators in the various schools to develop and revise policies as needed (15%).
• Develop, implement and enforce a system to ensure all projects closeouts are done timely. Maintain files of sponsored projects financial reports and close out packages (15%).
• Supervise the effort reporting process and address issues as they arise to ensure that the effort reporting is completed efficiently and accurately. Educate the campus on the requirements for time and effort reporting. Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the university's effort reporting process (15%).
• Perform a risk assessment of sponsored projects activities and develop a risk-based monitoring program designed to incorporate reviews of sponsored projects to ensure compliance with university and sponsor regulations. Direct the review of CWRU-incurred expenditures for allowability and allocability in accordance with applicable regulations. Provide oversight over the process to approve cost transfers. Communicate findings with the assistant vice president, sponsored projects, associate director, sponsored projects accounting and the research team. Recommend corrective actions. (15%).
• Stay current on regulatory and legal issues relating to pre- and post-award sponsored projects management, maintain an advanced knowledge and understanding of federal cost principles and federal single-audit guidelines established by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and advise management on needed actions to comply. (10%)
• Identify emerging trends that may affect the conduct of sponsored projects at the university and advise ORA management on needed actions. Develop and deliver training for the university community in understanding and complying with new university/sponsor requirements (10%).
• Maintain a database of all sub-recipients and note all sub-recipients subject to the Single Audit requirements. Gain an understanding of compliance programs of sub-recipients and communicate additional expectations to comply with the university's compliance program. Monitor receipt due date of audit reports and if reports are not received request the audit reports from sub-recipients. Review audit reports and follow up with sub-recipient to determine if corrective actions have been taken on findings related to the university. Monitor on a regular basis sub-recipient activities for compliance with program and university requirements. Monitor sub-recipient expenditures to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. Assist sub-recipients with resolution of financial noncompliance (10%).
• Investigate allegations of fraud and financial compliance questions/issues using available resources such as sponsor regulations, university policies and procedures, and the network of informed individuals such as the principal investigator, departmental or research administrator, business manager, chair or dean. Coordinate with university compliance officer, audit services, and general counsel as needed (10%).

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned.

CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with assistant vice president, sponsored projects, effort reporting coordinator, compliance analyst, and other staff within the department.

University: Daily contact with management center representatives, department administrators and faculty. Quarterly contact with audit services, deans, associate deans, assistant deans and legal office.

External: Weekly contact with federal and non-federal sponsor agencies and peers at other universities. Annual contact with audit agencies.

Students: Occasional contact with work-study students.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Direct supervisory responsibility for 1 professional employee.

QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 5 years of experience in sponsored projects administration, financial or grant management, and/or audit required. Prior successful leadership experience in a complex research-intensive institution required.

Education/Licensing: Bachelor's degree in business-related field required (degree in accounting/finance is preferred). Master's degree (e.g. MBA) preferred. Professional designation (e.g. CPA or CRA) is preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Advanced knowledge of sponsored program administration, policies, 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, and federal and sponsor regulations and guidelines.
• Expert knowledge of and familiarity with internal controls over research activities.
• Expert knowledge of financial audit requirements and audit reporting.
• Expert knowledge of governmental accounting and budgeting, accounting principles and practices.
• Expert knowledge of federal and university rules regarding management of effort allocation.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft grants management and accounting modules preferred.
• Foundational knowledge and practical abilities working with the Microsoft Office suite of tools and general computer skills.
• Advanced analytical skills to analyze accounting data, formulate and present conclusions.
• Expert analytical skills to analyze a variety of complex regulations, apply sound judgment, and draw logical conclusions.
• Advanced organizational and multi-tasking skills with attention to details and accuracy.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead and set the tone of all ORA activities within the university.
• Ability to make ethical decisions and act with integrity.
• Ability to interact and communicate professionally with others and to establish meaningful relationships with senior leadership, deans, faculty, administrators, and sponsors.
• Ability to produce accurate and timely work products when working under pressure.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate discretion with information.
• Highly motivated with a strong service orientation.
• Ability to work as part of a team of professionals.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face-to-face.

WORKING CONDITIONS
General office working environment.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT
In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity at 216-368-8877 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for an applicant will be made on a case-by- case basis.

NOTE/HOW TO APPLY
CWRU offers a flexible benefits package including tuition waiver for employees and dependents;
Respond in confidence, including salary history: jobs.case.edu, human resources job code #7833.

Apply Here

PI113046561