Job Summary
This position provides leadership and operational oversight of post-award financial management for the Department of Pediatrics. This role ensures compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements while ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and financial stewardship across a diverse portfolio. This position leads a team of research administrators responsible for post-award grant administration and financial monitoring across all funds and serves as a key partner to departmental leadership and other stakeholders.
Responsibilities*
Leadership and Supervision:
Provide direct supervision and leadership to a team of post-award research administrators, including hiring, onboarding, and training
Establish clear expectations, monitor workload, and ensure timely and accurate completion of post-award financial activities
Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high-quality service
Conduct monthly finance meetings with the team to provide updates, disseminate information, new processes, and ensure the team is following best practices
Conduct performance reviews, set goals, and support professional development and training
Drive team performance through metrics, continuous feedback, and operational excellence
Post-Award Oversight:
Provide high-level oversight of all financial portfolios, ensuring compliance, effective budget management, and financial sustainability
Ensure consistent application of institutional policies and sponsor requirements across all post-award activities
Monitor team outputs for accuracy, consistency, and audit readiness
Guide team in forecasting, burn rate analysis, and proactive issue identification
Serve as a primary point of contact for escalated post-award financial matters
Serve as the representative of the Department of Pediatrics at the Post Award Advisory Committee meetings
Process Improvement:
Identify opportunities for process improvement and lead initiatives to strengthen post-award operations
Establish best practices and policies; implement and oversee policy changes
Identify gaps in workflows to enhance team productivity and compliance
Standardize procedures and develop training materials for consistent service delivery
Additional Responsibilities:
Support audits and respond to audit findings
Partner with departmental leadership to support annual budgeting process, financial planning, and other reporting
Manage all the post-award responsibilities for the Department of Pediatrics' K12/CHRC grant
Supervision:
Supervision is received from the Financial Senior Manager. Staff members in this classification are expected to work independently and regularly exercise judgement in setting priorities, resolving operational problems, and the application of policies and procedures.
Supervision Exercised:
Supervision is exercised over 8 Research Administrators on the post-award team
Required Qualifications*
? Bachelor's degree and 6 or more years of post-award research administration experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
? Expert knowledge of post-award research administration and policies
? Demonstrated experience managing complex sponsored research portfolios
? Proven ability to exercise independent judgment, prioritize competing demands, and drive results in a fast-paced environment
? Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; professionalism and discretion
? Demonstrated skill in reviewing work for compliance, completeness, and risk; ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
? Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to interpret financial data and trends
? Advanced Excel and financial analytical skills
Desired Qualifications*
Master's degree in business, accounting, finance
8-10+ years of progressively responsible experience in research administration and financial management
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or equivalent certification
Demonstrated success with supervision, mentoring, and employee development
Knowledge of U-M sponsored programs policies and practices (financial and administrative)
Experience with U-M and research administration accounting systems including eResearch, e-Recon, Business Objects, M-Reports, and M-Pathways
Experience managing projects from a wide variety of sponsors including National Institutes of Health, foundations, industry contracts, and clinical trials
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.