Associate Vice Chancellor For Finance And Sponsored Projects (Remote) - Financial Services

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

As one of the top Research Institutions in the country with roughly $900 million in funding, the AVC for Finance and Sponsored Projects directs the activities of Sponsored Projects Accounting (SPA) and the Office of Sponsored Research Services (OSRS) with a staff of 55 and has an annual budget of more than $4 million. Maintains dual reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance & CFO and to the Vice Chancellor for Research. Leads and ensures proper administration for a broad set of operational and compliance functions that govern sponsored projects. SPA & OSRS serving as the official institutional signatory for the university's sponsored projects.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Key contact for faculty, departmental and central office staff, and executive management interacting with them on a regular basis, providing an excellent service orientation and offering assistance and expertise in sponsoring agencies policies and practices.

• SPA provides billing, accounts receivables, federal letters of credit and financial reporting to external sponsors (federal, state, local, non-profit, foundations, industry…), including the review and approval of expense transactions within the Workday (WD) FIN system. Partnering with the Controller's Office, serves as the lead and point of contact for all internal and external (Federal, state, local & Uniform Guidance) audits. Accountable for the university's external financial reporting related to sponsored activities and the Federal Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Assistance (SEFA).

• Leads the OSRS organization responsible for reviewing and submitting proposals for extramural funding, ensuring proposals adhere to internal and external policies and to prevent delays in funding, review or return of applications. Specific reviews include budgets, regulatory assurances, internal policies, and agency requirements.

• Manages ongoing activities of the award process. Verifies and ensures the accuracy of awards and compliance adherence to internal and external regulatory requirements/assurances and functional space. Responsible for agency grant negotiations, overseeing the distribution of award notices and funded applications, and other agency correspondence. Sets up and maintains related accounts in WD FIN for all sponsored projects.

• Coordinates implementation of fringe benefit and F&A rates in WD and RMS for both SPA & OSRS.

• Coordinates and supports effort reporting cycles. Participates in discussions about effort reporting issues that arise from departments and internal audit. Works directly with the department to resolve.

• Optimizes the functionality of research-related systems (Monday.com/Workday/InfoEd) and provides guidance to steering committees and workgroups. Responsible for stewarding research data and partnering with the Data Governance team to ensure consistent definitions and accuracy of data. Supports the implementation and enhancement of electronic forms and metrics monitoring.

• Works closely with staff to provide the necessary training and development to keep pace with innovations in research and the administration process thereof. Establishes performance standards, assess training, development and education needs, and ensure that the competencies of SPA/OSRS staff are consistent with the scope of work required for the university to be successful.

• Directs department operations and leads in the design of department policies and procedures. In coordination with departmental leadership, plans and coordinates goals and objectives to ensure integration of workflow.

• Oversight for the recruitment and hiring of SPA positions, including participating in interviews, and addressing performance issues with staff.

• Collaborates with HR on workforce planning, additional budget requests, and compensation planning.

• Serves as Data Steward for Research Administration.

• Serves on IT governance committees - Administrative Domain Committee and Research Admin Subcommittee.

Working Conditions

• Remote position.

• Travel to various campus locations associated with meetings with faculty, staff, and central offices as required.

• Travel to Washington, DC and other domestic locations for professional meetings and seminars approximately six to eight times per year.

Preferred Qualifications

• Business degree with Finance and/or Accounting emphasis.

• Masters in Business Administration.

• Certified Public Accountant.

• Demonstrated effective financial analytic skills.

• Ability to formulate and translate complex financial, compliance and administrative matters into functional operations, as they relate to the management of research awards.

• Knowledge of compliance regulations and a track record of success in the interpretation of those regulations.

• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining a cohesive team management work environment and sustaining a positive and progressive outlook within the organization.

• Communicates to people at all levels of an organization in an intelligent and articulate manner, and operates with transparency so as to foster collaboration within the University.

• Demonstrated effective negotiation skills, as well as the ability to advocate effectively on behalf of the research enterprise.

• On a regular and continuous basis, exercises administrative judgment and assumes responsibility for decisions, consequences, and results having an impact on people, costs, and/or quality of service within the functional areas.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and fifteen-plus years of experience in finance and research administration at a large research-intensive organization, university or medical school.

• Management experience in a research setting serving strong, independent, innovative, and entrepreneurial researchers.

• Experience with grants management, and an excellent understanding or research funding agencies including government, non-profit and industry.

• At least ten years of experience working in a large ERP systems, preferably Workday.

Grade

G00

Questions

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Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment - fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.