Financial Analyst-Research Administrator

Overview

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Under the direction of the School Fiscal Officer, this position will function as a Research Administrator and will be responsible for providing administrative and financial management for research and other sponsored programs (grants and contracts) of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM). The position supports activities in the pre-award and post-award phases by ensuring compliance with sponsored agency programmatic policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations by working collaboratively with the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI).

To achieve a high level of client satisfaction to Principal Investigators (PIs), the incumbent employs relationship management skills. They provide technical assistance and support of grant-funded programs, facilitate grant pre-a ward and post-award processes as well as monitors grant compliance requirements. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to anticipate the needs of PIs and their administrators in the submission, negotiation and execution of grants and contracts.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or other Business area with experience in financial analysis and reporting. Three to five years progressively responsible related financial/accounting/budget experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  Knowledge of Federal Regulations, Microsoft Office, advanced knowledge of financial reporting tools (i.e. Access, Advanced Excel, Crystal Reporting, etc.). 

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business administration, public and nonprofit administration, human resource management or related field;
• Possess three to five years of progressive responsibility for research grants administration;
• Experience in conducting financial analyses and budgetary forecasting;
• Possess traits of good judgment, confidentiality, and discretion with colleagues and constituents
• Proficient in applicable word processing (Word) and spreadsheet (Excel) applications;
• Strong interpersonal skills to work in a high-profile environment to effectively deal with a wide variety of people and personalities requiring discretion, judgment, tact and diplomacy;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, requiring exceptional time management skills to meet short deadlines
• Highly preferred are:
  • Demonstrated familiarity or experience with Uniform Guidance;
  • Demonstrated familiarity and experience with NIH, DOD, and NSF, as well as other federal agencies;
  • Certifications as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA), and/or Certifie d Financial Research Administrator (CFRA)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

PRE-AWARD

• Proactively research and inform NSM faculty of Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs), solicitation requirements, associated deadlines, and corresponding University policies;
• In collaboration with the ORI, provide support to PIs:
  • in the preparation and compilation for electronic submissions including interpretation of federal and state guidelines on grant applications,
  • for grant budgets and/or budget justifications related to FOAs requirements and University policies (e.g., salary and FTE information, calculation of University Overhead Cost Allocation, cost sharing requirements), and
  • in the management of timelines and overall progression of submissions to ensure the completion of high quality, compliant proposal applications.

POST-AWARD

• Assist with grant orientation for new PIs/project directors and other research staff on policies, forms, and procedures required for sponsored projects;
• Coordinate with PIs to promote accurate preparation and timely submission of progress reports as required by sponsoring programs;
• Ensure correct data are collected, provides spending analysis/projections and suggestions for resolving surplus or deficit funding; including adjustments as needed to resolve issues with spending;
• Meet regularly with PIs to review research portfolios;
• Facilitate professional development opportunities for and/or provides technical assistance to NSM staff, faculty, administrators, and teams.
• Perform labor distributions for NSM faculty and other research staff calculates and tracks cost sharing.
• Analyze effort allocation, program costs, and prepares adjustments at the PI’s direction.
• Track and monitors faculty bridge funding needs and notifies administration of potential gaps well in advance.
• Conduct accurate, insightful financial analyses including the preparation as well as reconciliation of monthly financial/status reports of grants and contracts;
• Identify the need for extension of grant periods, carryover of un-obligated balances, authorization of pre-award costs and the coordination of “just-in-time” filings and communicates these needs to ORI;
• Track faculty research performance metrics and performs ad-hoc analyses for presentation to the NSM leadership;
• Support the preparation and execution of NSM audits.
• Maintain necessary records, files, reports, databases, and resource materials pertinent to grant activities.

*Perform other duties and assists with special projects as assigned.

Additional Information

After a probationary period, this role may be eligible for a hybrid (partly remote/partly in office) work schedule, subject to business need and manager approval. May be required to use personal computer and other standard office equipment. Must be located within the DFW Area and have the ability to be on campus with 24 hours of notice. A UT Dallas Remote Work Agreement will be required within 14 days after approval. Remote work arrangements are subject to regular review and re-approval and may be canceled at any time.

Important Message

1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.

2) UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its programs and activities, including in admission and enrollment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact t he Director of Institutional Equity at InstitutionalEquity@utdallas.edu or the Title IX Coordinator at TitleIXCoordinator@utdallas.edu, or call 972-883-5331.

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

Veteran Employment Preference - Form DD-214