Assistant Director, Office of Sponsored Programs

Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page. Please apply directly through the University of Montana's career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College. Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com * .

The Office of Sponsored Programs invites applications for an Assistant Director to be a member of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) leadership team, serving as the OSP and campus expert in sponsored projects, accounting regulations, and best practices. This employee’s daily responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to, addressing relationships across campus units and with state and federal agencies. To meet reporting deadlines and support in urgent and complex matters, the individual must be available to work outside regular office hours as needed.

The assistant director is responsible for a high level of reporting and will need to function and make decisions independently and accurately. This role will prepare the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards, which is submitted to the State of Montana Governor’s Budget Office and is included in the university’s federally required A-133 audit, having totaled over $192 million in FY22. This individual will also have oversight of all accounting for the Office of Sponsored Programs, having totaled over $108 million in direct expenses for FY22. The individual is responsible for fiscal year end close-out without any supervision to ensure that accurate financial data is included in the university’s financial statements. In the absence of the director of the Office of Sponsored Programs, this individual is designated their authority as signatory.

At minimum, this position will be responsible for:

• Cash management
• Managing STIP investments
• Processing financial transactions
• Preparing and submitting reports to federal and state agencies
• Liaising with federal and state agencies on financial reporting matters
• Continuously reviewing and advising on OSP accounting practices
• Updating and maintaining internal databases
• Performing Banner to SAHBRS reconciliations
• Overseeing F&A recovery
• Developing and performing internal and external training

This position will have lateral supervision over the post award manager and team which will direct report to the director, as well as oversight of a financial accounting position. This position will also run all directions regarding performance, pay and employment relationships through the director.

This position requires incumbent to have working knowledge and considerable expertise from day one and the incumbent will learn and expand their capability and expertise over time.

Position Details:

• Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Montana University System Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program
• Salary for this position is $70,000 - $85,000 per year commensurate with qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least two (2) years relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Expertise in professional accounting practices and techniques of financial accounting and fiscal management with an emphasis in government and college and university fund accounting including GAAP, GASB and FASB
• Experience in cash management and investing practices
• Knowledge of 2 CFR 200, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and grant and contract compliance requirements of many agencies, as well as State of Montana Rules and Regulations
• Ability to analyze and interpret fiscal information and understand complex rules and regulations
• Knowledge of supervisory practices and procedures
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and make sound decisions during stressful situations
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research, analyze findings and draw conclusions
• Skill in the operation of personal computers and related software (Excel, Word, Access) with the ability to learn new programs
• Demonstrated proficiency in establishing goals and priorities and meeting multiple deadlines
• Proven written communication skills, including: business English, spelling, grammar, punctuation and composition
• Excellent organizational, multitasking and time management skills with the ability to work on numerous projects simultaneously
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Interpersonal and oral communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with a variety of personnel and funding agencies and to establish and maintain good working relationships

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the University of Montana accounting rules and regulations
• Knowledge of Banner software
• Experience in governmental fund accounting and accounting for contracts and grants in a university setting

About the Office of Sponsored Programs and UM :

The Office of Sponsored Programs administers institutional external funding (contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, etc.) and ensures that such sponsored projects comply with internal controls and applicable policies and regulations. Responsible for the lifecycle of sponsored programs, OSP activities include proposal development, proposal submission, award negotiation, and award management and closeout, as well as mitigation of audit risk.

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
• Video: Mission First, People Always
• UM on YouTube

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

Must be eligible to work in the United State upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position.


How to Apply:

Priority Application Date: Sunday, July 2, 2023 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials. Application will remain open until position is filled.

Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button. Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience.
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

* Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application. Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above.

** Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular