Assistant Director, Research Accounting Operations

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Research Accounting Operations is part of the Research Accounting Services (RAS) team and manages the timely and accurate setup, financial monitoring, invoicing and closeout of all sponsored projects and is responsible for developing post‐award outreach to RAS staff and Drexel University research personnel. The Assistant Director assists with the management of research awards through coordination with RAS on all aspects of research administration. They will be a key member of the research team and serve as a resource to faculty and administrators in the administration of sponsored research. This includes instructing and advising faculty and administrators on details of post‐award activity and advising faculty on policies affecting their sponsored funding. The Assistant Director will also be responsible for reviewing terms and conditions, setting up new awards and processing incremental funding on research and sponsored programs projects. They will manage a team of post‐award administrators that provides grant management in all aspects of externally supported sponsored projects including: administration of grants and contracts, electronic research administration and compliance. Additionally, the Assistant Director will monitor accounts and provide faculty with information documents pertinent to the administration of their project utilizing several databases.

Essential Functions

• Ensure knowledge of the responsibilities of all functional areas of Research Accounting Services, the Office of Research, and team with other research staff to work on special projects, including maintaining department web information.
• Review sponsor guidelines for grants to assist the staff with assuring accurate and timely account set up and account modifications for all sponsored research accounts.
• Develop post‐award training materials for use in communicating and educating staff and other university personnel about grant and sponsored research management.
• Use accounting and statistical procedures to monitor expenditures and revenues, analyze and justify deviations, and evaluate fiscal aspects of projects.
• Manage a team of 2 direct reports (managers) and 10-12 research accountants on all facets of grant and sponsored program financial management; responsible for training of all team members; Review sponsor guidelines for grants to assist the staff with ensuring accurate and timely account set-up and modifications for all sponsored projects.
• Interface with internal and external sponsors, grants management officers, department chairs, investigators and staff on all aspects of post award grant and contract administration; Provide guidance to the research community on post award issues such as applicable regulations, allowable costs, budget variances, extensions, re‐budgeting, advance account requests and cost share requirements.
• Ensure that departmental metrics are maintained, close-outs are done on a schedule in accordance with applicable regulations, and develop procedures to ensure that awards are closed out timely and deficits cleared by fiscal year end.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance or Accounting or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • Please review the  Equivalency Chart for additional information.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Banner ERP, Office 365, Hyperion/OBIEE reporting tools.
• Possesses excellent oral, written, analytical, problem‐solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Possesses subject matter expertise including accounting skills and ability to understand financial summaries and spreadsheets; generally accepted accounting principles and other applicable accounting, industry and regulatory principles, including Uniform Guidance; FAR; DFAR; Edgars; and expertise in current regulations and best industry practices.
• Possesses a strong customer service focus – insuring timely responses to email and issues.
• Able to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

Physical Requirements

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Lifting demands ≤ 25lbs

Location

• Remote

Additional Information

This position is classified as exempt, grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from $75,200 to $112,790 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. 

We encourage you to explore Drexel's Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on our compensation framework.

You can also find valuable information about our benefits in the Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

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