Finance and Human Resources Manager

Finance And Human Resources Manager

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at CU Boulder encourages applications for the Finance and Human Resources Manager position! This role serves as a strategic and operational lead, being responsible for complex financial and HR functions within the department. This position manages a diverse portfolio of fund @types, handles sponsored project administration, and ensures compliance with university, state, and federal regulations. This position supervises a team of three staff, leading them in Finance and HR operations, and guides the development of internal controls and process improvements that support long-term sustainability.

This role functions with moderate independence and complexity, requiring sound judgment, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate financial and regulatory frameworks into actionable guidance. The Program Manager supports faculty, staff, and students through responsive service and data-informed decision-making, while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. The position is critical to sustaining operational excellence, aligning resources with institutional goals, and advancing workforce development. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is composed of Faculty, Staff, Research Assistants, Graduate Students, and Undergraduate Students. Through teaching, learning, research, and community outreach, we seek to promote scholarship at the intersection of psychology and neuroscience. Driving this mission is a deep, shared commitment to improving the human condition for all people.

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is responsible for over 3,700 students in two undergraduate majors and five PhD programs. Our 52 faculty teach and conduct research on topics that range from the molecular to the community level. Our work is spread across multiple campus locations (MUEN, IBG, WILD, & CINC), with an annual budget of $20 million, which includes approximately $12 million in grant-funded research and $600,000 in gift funds.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Fund Account Management and Research Administration

Serve as the department's lead financial and HR specialist, running operations across general, auxiliary, gift, endowment, and sponsored funds.

Evaluate complex funding scenarios to ensure compliance with GASB principles, state fiscal rules, sponsor regulations, and university policies.

Interpret financial and regulatory policies to guide department-wide adherence and resolve compliance-related questions.

Provide strategic financial guidance to leadership on long-term planning, risk mitigation, and resource allocation.

Develop and implement internal financial policies and controls to ensure audit readiness and operational efficiency.

Independently handle post-award grant and contract administration, including subawards and cost-share arrangements.

Collaborate with OCG, Sponsored Projects, and external sponsors to resolve intensified financial issues.

Conduct advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and reporting to inform decision-making.

Represent the department in financial matters at the college and campus level.

Resolve complex financial and contractual challenges requiring independent judgment and policy interpretation.

Lead financial and administrative operations for sponsored research and research personnel.

Formulate departmental policies and internal controls to ensure compliance with evolving sponsor, federal, and university regulations.

Perform in-depth reconciliations and financial analysis across research funding portfolios.

Resolve discrepancies and interpret sponsor terms, award conditions, and funding eligibility.

Handle payroll funding for research personnel, including complex structures and proactive risk mitigation.

Serve as a lead advisor on international scholar employment and immigration compliance.

Assess funding stability and advise leadership on research staffing decisions.

Authorize research hires based on sustainability and compliance with award restrictions.

Represent the department in university-wide research administration working groups.

Provide experienced consultation on regulatory interpretations and operational decisions.

Procurement, Travel, and Expense Reimbursement

Serve as the department's technical lead for procurement operations, being responsible for purchasing activities and compliance.

Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with sponsor, state, federal, and university policies.

Independently review and authorize complex transactions, including capital equipment and sponsor-funded acquisitions.

Resolve unprecedented procurement and contracting challenges through advanced policy interpretation.

Monitor financial activity across procurement and travel budgets to ensure fiscal stability.

Lead the department's travel and expense reimbursement program, balancing compliance and operational needs.

Design and continuously improve procurement and travel processes to address evolving requirements.

Handle invoice, contract, and vendor relationships, resolving financial disputes and ensuring documentation accuracy.

Represent the department in procurement and travel policy discussions and system updates.

Provide expert-level consultation to faculty, staff, and campus partners on procurement policy application.

Hiring and Onboarding of Research Personnel

Oversee departmental HR operations for research personnel, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and offboarding.

Handle payroll funding structures and allocations, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Partner with HR and ISSS to support international scholar employment and immigration compliance.

Maintain internal HR documentation systems aligned with university policies and audit standards.

Resolve sensitive personnel issues and provide experienced consultation on employment law and policy interpretation.

Coordinate with HR partners to ensure consistent application of classification, compensation, and performance policies.

Monitor HR metrics and trends to inform staffing decisions and workforce planning.

Represent the department in HR-related working groups and policy discussions.

Staff Personnel Management and Supervision

Manage and supervise the department's finance and HR support staff ensuring all operational needs are satisfied

Responsible for hiring decisions, training, leave approval, performance management, evaluations, and disciplinary actions involving employees.

Organizes the daily activities of the work unit by prioritizing and monitoring workflow.

Oversees and is aware of the status of projects / tasks that directly relate to the activities of the work unit.

Reviews work for accuracy as needed and ensures target dates are met.

Other / Projects

Other duties as assigned that support the department's HR and payroll operations.

Contribute to other departmental projects and initiatives as assigned to advance departmental goals and student success.

What You Should Know

Hybrid Schedule : Currently requiring at least 3 days a week on campus per University and College policies and guidelines.

This can be subject to change based on the business needs of the department.

New employees may be expected to be in-person 5 days a week during their department's onboarding and training.

Business Hours : 8 : 00 AM - 5 : 00 PM | Monday - Friday

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range for this full-time position is $82,000-$86,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

BA / BS degree in finance, accounting, or related field.

Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

3+ years of experience in general accounting.

3+ years of experience in leading or supervising a team.

What You Will Need

Effective at managing tasks and attentive to detail.

Strong problem-solving capabilities.

Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and to work with people of diverse backgrounds.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with internal and external constituents.

Analytical skills, interpersonal skills, ability to understand transactional processes as well as the big picture to oversee continuous process improvement.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials :

A current resume.

A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time. Please