Sr. Grants & Contracts Officer

Senior Grants & Contracts Officer

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

Type : Benefited Staff