Business and Finance Specialist or Coordinator

Overview

Business and Finance Specialist or Coordinator

Materials Research Laboratory

The Grainger College of Engineering

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has openings for Business and Finance Specialists or Coordinators who will be responsible for carrying out various business and financial operations and activities. The successful candidates will support the faculty, staff, and students in the MRL research community. Individuals will join a close-knit team in the MRL business office responsible for managing a sponsored research portfolio with $100M in expenditures over the past 3 years, in addition to the standard variety of state, institutional, and gift funds. MRL staff members support nearly 90 affiliated faculty and their research groups both in-house and around campus and provide scientific instrument access to over 1,000 researchers per year via a nationally recognized user facility. To learn more about the MRL, please visit us online at https://mrl.illinois.edu/.

BUSINESS AND FINANCE SPECIALIST

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

Post-Award Administration

• Prepare, review, and reconcile monthly accounting reports for researchers and
• Ensure the accuracy of various types of expenditures and procurement procedures using professional accountancy knowledge.
• Prepare and submit anticipation account requests, renewals, modifications, supplements, and no-cost extensions as needed.
• Complete journal vouchers and labor redistributions within the BANNER
• Assist with the management of the departmental fund portfolio, maintaining various reports and spreadsheets to manage these funds.
• Review and approve the use of funds for employee appointment requests, P-card and iBuy orders, and travel reimbursements.
• Monitor the administration of sub-award agreements and payment processing on research
• Consult with SPA Post-Award Administration staff for required documentation, reporting and close-out activities.
• Prepare special management reports as
• Research and analyze information and Take independent action and exercise individual authority based upon level of knowledge and professional experience.

Pre-Award Administration

• Provide support and guidance to faculty and principal investigators in the preparation and submission of proposals to various Federal and non-Federal This includes reviewing and implementing sponsor regulations and guidelines, as well as University policies and procedures for submission while ensuring all requirements are met.
• Prepare proposal application packages, including budgets, budget justifications, and other proposal documentation, for submission into the appropriate sponsor systems, such as Research.gov, Grants.gov, etc.
• Serve as liaison to Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) and assist them with grant/contract negotiations as Follow up on pending agreements and work with SPA to ensure they are finalized and funded project accounts are established in a timely manner.

Research Administration

• Assist with the development, documentation, and implementation of new and/or revised
• Review progress reports and monitor faculty effort to ensure compliance with policies and make
• Participate in continuing professional development activities (e.g., conferences, seminars, training) to improve knowledge of technical and ethical aspects of accounting and business practices in research administration.
• Assume additional related research administration duties to further the mission of the

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• (Specialty Factor) Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, or a field related to position.
• (Specialty Factor) Two (2) years of professional-level accounting, managerial and/or business experience. Experience in a business, academic, research or government environment.
• Possess Illini Certified Research Administrator credential from the Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPaRC) Education certification series, or enrollment with active progression within the probationary period.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with the BA3/4 accounting
• Experience in business or research operations at an institution of higher

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Effective communication, organizational, and analytical
• Problem-solving skills, including the ability to be appropriately draw from on-campus
• Exposure to University of Illinois or fund accounting
• Working knowledge of the BANNER financial
• Knowledge of budget analysis and proficiency in word processing programs, spreadsheet operation, and presentation software.
• Ability to prioritize work in order to meet submission deadlines for multi-faceted, detail- oriented tasks.
• Ability to work efficiently with minimal
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with internal and external constituencies and stakeholders.

BUSINESS AND FINANCE COORDINATOR

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES 

Post-Award Administration

• Manage the month-end and year-end financial closing process for assigned funds including processing of transfers as required.
• Manage and oversee close-out reviews of sponsored projects, coordinating with SPA as needed.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly financial reports and other analysis for departmental administration to assist in the effective management of departmental resources.
• Oversee transaction review process for procurements, reimbursements, and employee appointments on assigned accounts to ensure sufficient funds exist and allowability issues have been addressed.

Pre-Award Administration

• Assist faculty and other departmental staff with preparation and submission of proposals to various funding agencies through SPA.
• Monitor the status of submitted proposals to ensure any required follow-up is done to allow timely receipt of awards.
• Serve as liaison to SPA and assist with pending award negotiations as Work with SPA to ensure awards are finalized and funded project accounts are established in a timely manner.

Research Administration

• Review and interpret University and sponsor policies as it relates to sponsored programs including pre- and post-award administration to provide support and guidance to faculty and serve as a resource to department staff.
• Contribute to the development, documentation, and implementation of new and/or revised policies and procedures.
• Participate in and/or contribute to professional development activities to improve and distribute knowledge of technical and ethical aspects of accounting and business practices in research administration.
• Assume additional related research administration duties to further the mission of the department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• (Specialty Factor) Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, or a field related to position.
• (Specialty Factor) Four (4) years of professional-level accounting, managerial and/or business experience including fiscal oversight and/or research administration, gained in a business, academic, research, or government environment.
• Possess Illini Certified Research Administrator credential from the Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPaRC) Education certification series, or enrollment with active progression within the probationary period.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with the BA3/4 accounting platform.
• Experience in business or research administration at an institution of higher learning.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Effective communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Problem-solving skills, including the ability to be appropriately draw from on-campus resources.
• Exposure to University of Illinois or fund accounting principles.
• Working knowledge of the BANNER financial system.
• Knowledge of budget analysis and proficiency in word processing programs, spreadsheet operation, and presentation software.
• Ability to prioritize work in order to meet submission deadlines for multi-faceted, detail- oriented tasks.
• Ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with internal and external constituencies and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership ability that includes a high level of initiative, exercising discretion, and working independently in managing and overseeing projects.
• Outstanding organizational skills and exceptional oral and written communication skills.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

These are full-time Civil Service Business/Administrative Associate positions appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range for these positions is $53,000 – $60,000 for Specialist and $60,000 to $70,000 for Coordinator. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on February 2, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Summer Redman at sredman@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.