Grants & Contracts Officer

Post-Award Grants And Contracts Officers

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 unitensuring that 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 Grants & Contracts Officer (GCO) plays a key tactical role within RMC's Financial Research Administration function. Working under the direction of a Senior GCO, GCOs are responsible for the financial management of sponsored projects, including billing, reconciliation, financial reporting, and sponsor liaison activities. These roles also work closely with colleagues in RMC's Core Finance unit to ensure financial reporting and cash draws are coordinated and timed appropriately, supporting both compliance and institutional cash flow. Successful candidates demonstrate strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a customer service mindset that balances sponsor and institutional requirements. They are proactive, resourceful, and solutions-orientedable to get to "yes" without compromising compliance. They are also intrinsically motivated, intellectually curious, and committed to continuous improvement in a complex research environment. Placement within the GCO IIII levels will be determined based on the candidate's education, experience, and demonstrated competencies.

Under general supervision, exercise sound judgment to :

• Prepare, review, and issue invoices to sponsors in accordance with award terms, university policy, and federal regulations.
• Reconcile project expenditures and balances, ensuring allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency of charges.
• Perform and document periodic financial reviews; identify and correct errors or variances in a timely manner.
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely financial reports to sponsoring agencies.
• Coordinate proactively with RMC's Core Finance team to ensure cash draws, financial reporting, and receivables management are executed accurately and on schedule.
• Communicate directly with sponsor representatives, departmental administrators, and principal investigators to resolve billing, reporting, or compliance issues.
• Interpret sponsor and institutional policies; ensure transactions comply with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), FAR clauses, and sponsor-specific terms.
• Support audits, internal reviews, and closeout activities by providing reconciliations and documentation.
• Monitor aging receivables, assist in collections, and follow up on outstanding payments or credit memos.
• Maintain accurate records in the University's financial and research systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, eAward, or equivalent).
• Contribute to process improvement by identifying recurring issues, recommending solutions, and participating in training or testing for new tools and workflows.
• Provide excellent customer service and foster constructive relationships with internal and external partners while upholding fiscal integrity and compliance.
• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to collaboration, consistency, and continuous learning.

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). Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels :

Preferences

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. 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.