Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

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Assistant Director - Research Financial Services

Requisition Number:

68845

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

University Staff

Schedule:

Full-Time

Posting Close Date:

15-Dec-2025

Date Posted:

01-Dec-2025
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Job Summary

The Campus Controllers Office at CU Boulder invites applications for the Assistant Director - Research Financial Services! The University of Colorado Boulder is a Tier One, nationally competitive research university with over a $2.00B annual operating budget. The University is focused on cultivating its instruction and research, increasing its innovative impact at the national and international level through collaboration, transformation, and leadership. The Campus Controller’s Office (CCO) provides critical support to the mission by ensuring fiscal responsibility, accurate financial reporting, and compliance with laws, regulations, policies/procedures, and contract requirements. Research Financial Services (RFS) within the CCO ensures proper management and financial oversight for sponsored projects. RFS prepares financial reports and invoices, manages all revenue cycle activities for the research enterprise, coordinates financial closeouts, and works directly with the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) to coordinate information for post award activities. RFS works closely with campus partners to manage all aspects of the financial post award lifecycle including award setup, invoicing, revenue management, compliance monitoring, and closeout.
The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Research Financial Services within CCO. The Assistant Director will be responsible for leading and managing the post award accounting functions of the Research Financial Services unit for all sponsored projects in the CU portfolio. As delegated by the Director of Research Financial Services, this position will provide leadership to the University on research financial management and will establish policies and procedures relating to CCO and the University’s management of the research enterprise.
This position requires a people-focused, innovative campus leader. The Assistant Director serves as a visionary change agent that possesses impeccable communication skills. Collaboration is key for this unit and the Assistant Director must demonstrate perseverance and project success.

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.

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

Research Financial Management (identifying, improving, maintaining processes, including metrics)
  • Monitor departmental compliance with Federal, State, and University regulations regarding research.
    • Act on behalf of CCO, in coordination with Director of Research Financial Services to develop systems to assist in reporting and compliance
    • Develop and implement routine monitoring of milestones, unbilled activities, and metrics for the grant accounting team
  • Reporting.
    • Identify and implement data management needs for post award services
  • Technology and Process Improvement.
    • Implement or upgrade of systems, such as PeopleSoft for financial management and lnfoEd for award/contract management
    • Lead, facilitate, or participate in technology applications development and implementation
  • Manage post-award financial administration processes by providing oversight and direction to CCO staff and campus financial managers on effective business and reporting processes.
University Engagement (engaging with and training campus staff)
  • Initiate and maintain meaningful communication and collaboration with campus departmental personnel and colleagues which includes, but not limited to:
    • Quarterly meetings
    • Department business meeting attendance
    • Site visits
    • Poster presentations
  • Develop and provide training to campus on a variety of post award financial administration topics.
  • Represent the Research Financial Services unit in a variety of campus spaces to include:
    • Monthly Tuesday Talks meetings held on 2nd Tuesday of the month for the Boulder campus research community
    • Town hall-type meetings as necessary to disseminate information to the campus community
    • Campus events
    • Cross-functional committees
    • Working groups
  • Develop and maintain relationships with sponsoring agency officials and with campus divisions.
Campus Leadership, Policy, and Strategic Planning
  • Analyze the impact of federal regulatory changes on the University. Develop, modify, and implement new regulatory requirements and University policies and procedures related to research financial administration.
  • Lead all aspects of unit operations and prioritize workflow to ensure efficiency, regulatory compliance, and sound operations.
  • Develop and implement effective short- and long-term strategies to achieve established objectives and goals related to post-award activities. Ensure short-and long-term plans/objectives are appropriately communicated and successfully implemented.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Research Financial Services to develop, implement, evaluate, and communicate policies, guidance, and procedures relating to CCO and CU management of research.
  • Provide expertise and leadership to CCO and the University on matters related to federal regulations and compliance issues.
  • 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 the Director of RFS 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 supervisors 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.
  • Foster a strong results orientation within the Grant Accounting teams by motivating staff and holding them accountable to meeting the needs of constituents, department and organizational goals.
  • Provide leadership in staff development and continuing education, ensuring that all CCO post- award staff maintain up-to-date knowledge of applicable regulations and procedures necessary for the conduct of their positions.

What You Should Know

This position offers a hybrid work schedule with in-office and remote work!

What We Can Offer

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $135,000 annually.

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. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be challenged. Be visionary. Be Boulder.

What We Require

  • Bachelor's degree and minimum of 4+ years of experience administering post-award activities at a major research institution required. Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
  • Well-qualified candidates will have the following work experience:
    • Demonstrated management experience in Research Administration with an ability to supervise and motivate professional staff.
    • Strong working knowledge of Federal and Non-Federal grant and contract administration, including policies and best practices at research universities.
    • Candidate must have a firm knowledge of Federal Uniform Guidance and the overall regulatory environment, including financial compliance, directed to sponsored programs.
    • Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles, sponsored projects audits, and the interpretation of federal accounting standards.
    • Demonstrated experience in policy development, system implementation and maintenance, business process improvements, financial monitoring and analytical review of sponsored project accounting, financial compliance and operational issues.
    • Candidate must provide leadership with operations and services related to post- award activities.

What You Will Need

  • Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proven ability as a problem solver.
  • Demonstrated customer orientation.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people.

What We Would Like You to Have

  • A master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting or related field.
  • Experience and knowledge of governmental or higher education accounting procedures, policies, rules, and regulations.
  • Experience with PeopleSoft finance Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) or Certified Research Administrator (CRA) designation.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials: 
  1. A current resume. 
  2. 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 apply by December 15, 2025 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu