Director - Research Financial Services

Job Summary

The Campus Controller's Office (CCO) encourages applications for a Director of Research Financial Services (RFS) ! The University of Colorado Boulder is a Tier One, nationally competitive research university with a $1.86B annual operating budget. The university is focused on cultivating its research and increasing its innovative impact at the national and international level through collaboration, transformation and leadership. CCO provides critical support to the mission by ensuring fiscal responsibility, accurate financial reporting, and compliance with laws, regulations, policies/procedures and contract requirements. RFS operates under the direction of the Campus Controller and supports the innovation mission, aspiring to provide seamless fiscal stewardship and compliance solutions for the research enterprise. The Director - Research Financial Services (RFS) is responsible for the management, reporting, and compliance for over $500M in annual research expenditures in over 4,000 projects.

CU receives sponsored funding from other public and private universities, federal agencies, national labs, industry partners, non-profit organizations, foundations and international entities. RFS partners with the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG), Legal Counsel, Compliance, and campus constituents to ensure the appropriated stewardship of the research portfolio.

The Director for Research Financial Services reports directly to the Campus Controller and serves on the leadership team for the Associate Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance. They collaborate directly with principal investigators, directors, department chairs and deans. The Director is responsible for operationalizing the strategic planning while ensuring day-to-day operational excellence. They will seek out, develop and apply innovative solutions that support seamless financial policies and procedures.

RFS provides timely and accurate financial reports and related information to external sponsors, CCO, University management, and for the University's annual financial reports. The position is responsible for ensuring that transactions are in accordance with GAAP, State, Federal and private agency procedures and restrictions, and University rules and regulations. This position supervises the awards management process between CCO and OCG, to ensure that it is efficient and effective. This position requires a strong, innovative leader responsible for oversight of the RFS management team and staff as well as processes which support the campus.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Campus Controller's Office maintains and supports the university's fiscal responsibility through accurate financial accounting and reporting and in compliance with laws, regulations, policies/procedures and contract requirements for sponsored projects. We provide oversight, assistance and training in financial stewardship for the campus.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Direct Research Financial Services and Process Excellence (identifying, improving, maintaining processes, including metrics)

• Advise the overall operations of Research Financial Services including financial reporting and accounting, invoicing, effort reporting, cost share transactions, and project closeout.
• Be responsible for and manage audits and financial compliance for research activity and provide resolution for audits/reviews.
• Demonstrate a firm knowledge of Federal Uniform Guidance and the overall regulatory environment, including financial compliance, advised to sponsored programs and chip in to policy development.
• Assess and ensure excellent performance standards to be measured quantitatively and qualitatively. This includes defining and implementing baseline metrics.
• Create well-defined roadmap of roles and responsibilities, with clear lines of accountability and ownership within the unit.
• Proactively identify, recommend, and implement process improvements to address areas of concern.
• Enhance business systems and procedures as appropriate to ensure continued compliance with the applicable rules and requirements and to improve business processes, efficiency and service.
• Participate in the preparation of annual audit work papers, financial statements, and various reports due to sponsoring agencies. Review ad hoc, monthly and annual fiscal reports to ensure accuracy. Provide financial information, reports and analysis as requested.
• Work with others within CCO to achieve fiscal year end goals. This includes tracking requests, reviewing accuracy of supporting work-papers and ensuring deadlines are met, with minimal direction.
• Assist with the development of the annual budget for the unit and perform periodic cost and productivity analysis.
• As a key member of the CCO Leadership Team, recommend and participate in the development of the University's financial processes, policies and procedures.
• Represent the University of Colorado Boulder at national meetings and forums, including participation in the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP), the Council on Government Relations (COGR), the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA), and others as assigned.

People Development and Organizational Leadership (developing, retaining, recognizing our staff)

• Collaborate with CCO leadership on the design and maintenance of the organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the organization's goals and objectives.
• Recruit well-qualified enthusiastic, professional staff that will actively embrace and participate in organizational changes.
• Actively promote a culturally diverse and inclusive community within the organization.
• Lead training, supervision, and evaluation of RFS managers and staff to drive a positive and thriving work culture.
• Implement and maintain programs to develop and retain professional staff.
• Create and maintain a positive, cooperative work culture, encouraging customer-oriented staff interaction with colleagues, sponsors, and administrators.
• Model and develop leadership and technical skills for the current staff.

University Engagement (engaging with and training campus staff)

• Increase engagement opportunities with university partners including faculty and research administrators.
• Initiate and maintain meaningful communication and collaboration with campus departmental personnel and colleagues.
• Build and maintain effective, collaborative working partnerships with peers across campus to ensure services to CCO's clients are effective and provide exceptional value.
• Enhance existing and develop new training courses for presentation to the campus community. Training is to ensure personnel have the knowledge and tools vital to appropriately follow GAAP, sponsor rules/regulations, and university policies/procedures.
• Participate in the Fiscal Year End Town Hall meetings for the Boulder campus, and other town hall-type meetings as vital to disseminate information to the campus community.
• Represent the Campus Controller and CCO as needed in meetings, training and other communications.

Technology and Infrastructure Enhancement (tech requirements, system upgrades & brand identity)

• Be an advocate for staff in the implementation or upgrade of systems, such as PeopleSoft for financial management and lnfoEd for award/contract management.
• Provide recommendations to manage space and/or technology for the department where applicable.
• Lead, facilitate or participate in technology applications development and implementation.

What We Can Offer

The hiring pay range for this position is $132,000 to $155,000.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be Accomplished. Be Impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting or relevant field.
• Seven years’ progressively responsible leadership experience with a proven track record of successfully running a large sophisticated organization encompassing accounting, accounts receivable, and restricted fund requirements.
• Previous managerial experience advising professional staff and managers.
• Demonstrated experience in sponsored programs accounting and administration.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

• Demonstrated knowledge of Uniform Guidance and relevant sponsor rules/regulations.
• In-depth knowledge of restricted fund accounting.
• Ability to manage, advise and empower staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven track record as a collaborator and problem solver with all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated strong customer orientation.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people with a "can-do" attitude, perseverance and a passion for working through others to achieve positive outcomes.
• Collaborative, team-oriented leadership style, good judgment in recognizing and recruiting talent, assessing where improvements are needed and building synergies.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.

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

You will not be asked to upload references at this time.

Please apply by March 16, 2021 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through C U Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: recruiting@colorado.edu