This position serves as Research Accounting Manager in the Sponsored Projects Accounting (SPA) unit. This department provides financial administrative service to the research community for post-award functions and coordinates closely with other teams in the Office of Research, Innovation & Economic Development. Sponsored project and agency fund expenditures financially reported and collected by this unit totaled $541M in FY2024. The Manager plans, organizes, directs, and certifies the work of SPA accountants to facilitate the effective and efficient management of roughly 2,600 sponsored awards from external sponsors. This position is responsible for on-boarding and training new team members, guiding their development on the department's career path, evaluating performance, and making recommendations for promotion.

---

This position serves as Research Accounting Manager in the Sponsored Projects Accounting (SPA) unit. This department provides financial administrative service to the research community for post-award functions and coordinates closely with other teams in the Office of Research, Innovation & Economic Development. Sponsored project and agency fund expenditures financially reported and collected by this unit totaled $541M in FY2024. The Manager plans, organizes, directs, and certifies the work of SPA accountants to facilitate the effective and efficient management of roughly 2,600 sponsored awards from external sponsors. This position is responsible for on-boarding and training new team members, guiding their development on the department's career path, evaluating performance, and making recommendations for promotion.

---

Required

Education: Bachelors Degree

Experience:

• 6 or more years in post-award management of sponsored grants and contracts, preferably at a comprehensive research university or institution; or managerial accounting with experience in auditing, financial regulation, or compliance areas.
• Experience with computer systems and software, including Microsoft Office.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of research administration issues including financial management and the ability to interpret and communicate federal, state, and local laws and regulations relevant to research administration operations, policies, and procedures.

• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and granting agency requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively, including active listening skills, plus the ability to work with a diverse group of faculty, staff, administrators, and other stakeholders.

• Ability to prioritize and manage a high-volume of complex projects simultaneously to meet constant deadlines in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

• Ability to be detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to be flexible, have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style of leadership that encourages teamwork and cooperation.

• Skills to be a strong role model, manager, and coach.

• Ability to provide excellent customer service with a commitment to exceptional quality.

• Ability to think analytically, quantitatively, creatively, and strategically and to work with ambiguity.

• Skill to be an independent thinker with professional skepticism.

• Ability to be a team player who works well collectively and collaboratively with colleagues to achieve common goals.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred

Education/Licenses/Certifications: Certified Research Administrator, Certified Public Accountant, or Certified Internal Auditor

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of UT fiscal, human resource, and research policies

• Knowledge of DASH, Oracle, Huron Grants & Agreements

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Hybrid

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR14

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

---

Post Award Financial Administration/Compliance

* Provides leadership and direction of the post-award fiscal administration of all sponsored projects to ensure the accuracy, timeliness, and effectiveness of post-award accounting functions. SPA manages roughly 2,600 awards.

* Interprets and applies fiscal regulations and guidelines to ensure that all federal, state, and University requirements are met. Assesses risk and initiates changes where appropriate to promote quality assurance and reduce financial risk.

* Manages numerous and competing deadlines to ensure contractual terms and conditions are met and the University is not exposed to financial liability due to missed deadlines.

*Conducts and monitors compliance activities to mitigate the risk of financial liability that could result from federal, state, and private audits. Initiates corrective action to ensure that financial records are presented in conformity with University policies and sponsor regulations.

*Provides leadership in identifying, evaluating, and deploying best practices and innovative processes to support the education and research missions of the University while ensuring high standards of compliance with University, state, and federal guidelines.

* Evaluates allowability of costs based on federal regulations, sponsor terms, fiscal policies, and other guidelines. Rejects invoices and financial reports to accountants for revision or clarification.

*Certifies invoices and financial reports with delegated signature authority on behalf of the University before submission to sponsors.

*Monitors and manages accounts receivable to maximize the University's cash flow. Ensures direct reports comply with collection procedures. Recommends that delinquent accounts be referred to General Counsel when appropriate.

People Management/Supervision

* Onboards and trains new team members.

* Leads a team of five to seven accountants at various career path levels. Listens, supervises, and fosters teamwork to develop talented, service-oriented professionals.

*Conducts performance appraisals of SPA accountants to evaluate staff and guide professional development on the career path. Develops performance improvement plans, when necessary, and manages other varied HR-related issues.

* Develops cross-training opportunities to ensure critical tasks are covered and career ladder opportunities are provided.

* Communicates priorities and procedures to team members. Provides feedback and monitoring relative to team goals and portfolio management.

* Provides oversight and complex decision-making to staff as they evaluate allowability of costs before certifying financial documents on behalf of the University and before approving financial transactions in DASH.

* Assists in the development of departmental and individual goals.

Collaboration External to Department

*Interacts with faculty, researchers, departmental accounting staff, department heads, campus administration, and system-wide staff to promote, monitor, and train on sponsored project issues, to consult on fiscal policy, and to recommend changes to enhance fiscal compliance and mitigate risk.

*Collaborates with other ORIED teams and post-award departments throughout the University system to ensure consistent, timely, and accurate financial compliance with federal, state, local, and private agencies.

* Provides input to the Proposals and Grants & Contracts teams prior to contract execution to ensure financial terms and conditions are sound and manageable within the University's accounting system.

*Partners with departments to interpret sponsored project rules and regulations to ensure funds committed to their projects are appropriate.

*Fosters collaborative relationships with sponsors to facilitate efficient project management from contract execution to closeout.

*Serves on various committees to address sponsored project-related issues.

*Participates in professional organizations to stay abreast of industry issues and best practices.

*Assists with the coordination of internal and external audits and contributes to the development of any corrective action responses.

Strategic Planning

* Assists ORIED leadership with strategic planning and operational implementation of post-award systems, processes, and training activities.

*Helps develop and implement automated workflow solutions, monitors their effectiveness, recommends and implements changes as warranted.

*Contributes to the development and reporting of departmental trends and statistical analysis. Uses this data to recommend and implement process improvements to optimize productivity, reduce costs, and streamline workflow.

*Develops effective and efficient practices to support sponsored projects financial administration. Recommends system modifications to minimize obstacles, streamlines processes, and increases efficiency of sponsored project-related activities.