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Details

**Open Date** 11/05/2025

**Requisition Number** PRN43514B

**Job Title** Accounting Support Management

**Working Title** Sr. Grants & Contracts Officer

**Career Progression Track** M00

Track Level

**FLSA Code** Administrative

**Patient Sensitive Job Code?** No

**Standard Hours per Week** 40

**Full Time or Part Time?** Full Time

**Shift** Day

Work Schedule Summary

Work Schedule: M-F 8-5, flexible around core hours and hybrid acceptable

**VP Area** President

**Department** 00359 - Grants & Contracts Accounting

**Location** Campus

**City** Salt Lake City, UT

**Type of Recruitment** External Posting

**Pay Rate Range** $71,713 - $97,874

**Close Date** 12/05/2025

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 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 Senior Grants & Contracts Officer ( GCO ) is a first-line supervisory role responsible for the day-to-day oversight of sponsored project financial management activities for an assigned portfolio of colleges, institutes, or departments. Reporting to the Senior Manager for Financial Research Administration, this position provides tactical and operational leadership for a team of 3-8 that performs project billing, financial reconciliation and reporting, and sponsor liaison functions within the university’s post-award environment.

The Senior GCO plays a key role in ensuring compliance with sponsor and university requirements, fostering a culture of accountability and service excellence, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives within the department. RMC is committed to cultivating an environment of equity, respect, and continuous learning. The successful candidate will model inclusive leadership and a growth mindset that empowers others to succeed.

Responsibilities

+ Supervise, train, and mentor a team of junior GCOs – financial research administrators – responsible for project billing, sponsor communications, financial reconciliations and reporting.

+ Review and approve complex transactions, journal entries, and financial reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with sponsor terms, university policy, and federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200).

+ Exercise sound judgement at all times, and delegated approval authority for assigned transactions within established thresholds, ensuring compliance with university policy and internal controls.

+ Serve as the first escalation point for staff and departmental partners, using sound judgment to resolve routine and moderately complex issues independently.

+ Develop, monitor, and report on operational KPIs that measure timeliness, accuracy, and service quality, using data to drive process improvements and accountability.

+ Build and maintain productive relationships with departmental administrators, principal investigators, and central offices to promote mutual understanding of post-award requirements and shared accountability for financial stewardship.

+ Collaborate across the department to ensure consistency in practices, policy interpretation, and the guidance provided to campus partners.

+ Partner with department leadership to design and deliver onboarding programs for new staff and continuing education opportunities for the team, as well as broader campus training and outreach on post-award financial topics.

+ Set clear performance expectations and conduct regular coaching and evaluations to ensure alignment with departmental goals and individual development plans.

+ Contribute to department projects and initiatives that advance efficiency, internal controls, and sponsor compliance.

+ Promote a positive, collaborative, and learning-oriented environment that reflects RMC’s mission and values.

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).

**Manager, Accounting Support Management:** Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

+ Supervisory experience or demonstrated leadership and mentorship ability.

+ Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a proven ability to foster collaboration across central and college-level units.

+ Proficiency with large-scale financial systems, data analytics, and reporting tools; ability to translate data into actionable insights that inform decisions.

+ Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively in a complex, matrixed environment.

+ Master’s degree or professional certification (e.g., CRA / CFRA , CGFM ).

**Type** Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

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.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.

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 ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

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.