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Grants & Contracts Officer
- University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
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Details
**Open Date** 11/06/2025
**Requisition Number** PRN43513B
**Job Title** Post-Award Grants and Contracts Officers
**Working Title** Grants & Contracts Officer
**Career Progression Track** P00
Track Level
**FLSA Code** Administrative
**Patient Sensitive Job Code?** No
**Standard Hours per Week** 40.00
**Full Time or Part Time?** Full Time
**Shift** Day
Work Schedule Summary
Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 5:00/ ·
Flexible around core hours, hybrid available
**VP Area** President
**Department** 00359 - Grants & Contracts Accounting
**Location** Campus
**City** Salt Lake City, UT
**Type of Recruitment** External Posting
**Pay Rate Range** $64,004 - $84,252
**Close Date** 12/06/2025
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary
The University of Utah is one of the nation’s premier public research universities, with more than $700 million in annual research expenditures and a bold trajectory toward $1 billion. The Office of Research Management & Compliance ( RMC ) serves as the University’s central post-award finance and compliance unit—ensuring that research funding is managed in accordance with federal, sponsor, and institutional requirements while supporting the university’s mission of discovery, innovation, and impact.
RMC partners closely with the Office of Sponsored Projects, the Controller’s Office, and college- and institute-level research administration teams to provide financial stewardship, compliance oversight, and operational excellence across the post-award lifecycle. We are modernizing our systems, reimagining our service model, and investing in people and process innovation to sustain the University’s growing research enterprise.
The Grants & Contracts Officer ( GCO ) plays a key tactical role within RMC’s Financial Research Administration function. Working under the direction of a Senior GCO , GCOs are responsible for the financial management of sponsored projects, including billing, reconciliation, financial reporting, and sponsor liaison activities. These roles also work closely with colleagues in RMC’s Core Finance unit to ensure financial reporting and cash draws are coordinated and timed appropriately, supporting both compliance and institutional cash flow.
Successful candidates demonstrate strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a customer service mindset that balances sponsor and institutional requirements. They are proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented—able to get to “yes” without compromising compliance. They are also intrinsically motivated, intellectually curious, and committed to continuous improvement in a complex research environment.
Placement within the GCO I–III levels will be determined based on the candidate’s education, experience, and demonstrated competencies.
Responsibilities
Under general supervision, exercise sound judgement to:
+ Prepare, review, and issue invoices to sponsors in accordance with award terms, university policy, and federal regulations.
+ Reconcile project expenditures and balances, ensuring allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency of charges.
+ Perform and document periodic financial reviews; identify and correct errors or variances in a timely manner.
+ Prepare and submit accurate and timely financial reports to sponsoring agencies.
+ Coordinate proactively with RMC’s Core Finance team to ensure cash draws, financial reporting, and receivables management are executed accurately and on schedule.
+ Communicate directly with sponsor representatives, departmental administrators, and principal investigators to resolve billing, reporting, or compliance issues.
+ Interpret sponsor and institutional policies; ensure transactions comply with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), FAR clauses, and sponsor-specific terms.
+ Support audits, internal reviews, and closeout activities by providing reconciliations and documentation.
+ Monitor aging receivables, assist in collections, and follow up on outstanding payments or credit memos.
+ Maintain accurate records in the University’s financial and research systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, eAward, or equivalent).
+ Contribute to process improvement by identifying recurring issues, recommending solutions, and participating in training or testing for new tools and workflows.
+ Provide excellent customer service and foster constructive relationships with internal and external partners while upholding fiscal integrity and compliance.
+ Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to collaboration, consistency, and continuous learning.
Minimum Qualifications
**EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT :** 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:
**Post-Award Grants & Contract Officer ( GCO ), I:** Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master’s (or equivalency) degree.
**Post-Award Grants & Contract Officer ( GCO ), II:** Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.
**Post-Award Grants & Contract Officer ( GCO ), III :** Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.
Preferences
+ All levels require demonstrated knowledge of fundamental accounting principles and proficiency in Microsoft Excel, financial reconciliations, and transaction review.
+ Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
+ Experience with sponsored projects administration, grant or contract accounting, or higher-education financial management.
+ Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), FAR Part 31, and sponsor-specific regulations (e.g., NIH , NSF , DOE ).
+ Familiarity with PeopleSoft or comparable ERP /financial systems and comfort with data queries and reports.
+ Proven ability to analyze complex financial data, identify issues, and propose solutions.
+ Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise guidance to non-financial audiences.
+ Demonstrated ability to balance customer service and compliance in a fast-paced environment, using a collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
+ Commitment to professional growth, continuous learning, and process improvement.
+ Intrinsic motivation, intellectual curiosity, and initiative—the qualities that enable GCOs to anticipate challenges, ask good questions, and identify solutions before they are requested.
**Type** Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
_The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students._
_Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are 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:_
_Director/ Title IX Coordinator_
_Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA)_
_383 University Street, Level 1 OEO Suite_
_Salt Lake City, UT 84112_
_801-581-8365_
_Online reports may be submitted at_ **oeo.utah.edu**
_For more information:_
https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
_To inquire about this posting, email:_
_or call 801-581-2300._
_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._
_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._
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