Interim Manager of Research Financial Services

Apply now Job no: 498208
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Admin / Executive / Office Support, Research

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Vice Provost (SVP), the Interim Manager of Research Financial Services is responsible for leading and managing the post-award accounting functions of the Research Financial Services (RFS) team within the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP).

Current Position Duties:

All existing duties assigned to this individual will remain in effect and are not eliminated or modified as a result of assuming the interim manager role. The following is a summary of core responsibilities that will continue during the interim assignment:

  • Serve as a subject matter expert in the financial administration of sponsored research awards, with a focus on post-award accounting and compliance.
  • Perform core accounting functions, including expenditure review and approvals, billing and accounts receivable, effort certification, financial reconciliation, compliance monitoring, and award closeout.
  • Monitor allowable costs, available balances, invoicing timelines, unbilled activity, project payment milestones or deliverables to ensure accurate and timely financial performance of awards.
  • Prepare and submit required financial reports to sponsors in accordance with award terms and institutional deadlines.
  • Provide training and support to faculty and departmental administrators, including those new to grant-funded research, on topics such as budget monitoring, allowable expenses, and effort reporting.
  • Collaborate with ORSP and department personnel to ensure full compliance with sponsor regulations, federal guidelines (e.g., Uniform Guidance), and internal policies throughout the award lifecycle.
  • Administer subawards, including drafting subagreements, evaluating risk, coordinating internal documentation, issuing purchase orders, and subrecipient monitoring.
  • Maintain proactive and responsive communication with principal investigators (PIs), department staff, and internal partners to resolve financial questions and ensure successful grant management.
  • Identify and recommend enhancements to financial systems and tools (e.g., Banner, Concur, InfoEd) to improve reporting, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Interim Manager Duties:

The following duties are in addition to the individual’s regular responsibilities and apply specifically during the interim manager’s appointment.

  • Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight for the RFS team, ensuring continuity of grant financial operations and high standards of service during the interim period.
  • Act as the primary contact for sponsor and institutional audits related to the financial administration of grants, unless otherwise designated.
  • Supervise team activities, providing guidance, workflow support, performance feedback, and mentorship, including assistance with annual goal setting and performance evaluations if applicable.
  • Serve as a liaison between the RFS team and ORSP leadership to ensure alignment on financial strategies, policy changes, and sponsor expectations.
  • Represent the RFS team in grant-related financial meetings and discussions across campus, ensuring coordination with central administration and academic units.
  • Contribute to short- and long-term planning by supporting process improvements and developing financial monitoring strategies.
  • Analyze regulatory changes or sponsor updates impacting financial compliance and collaborate with leadership to update policies and procedures accordingly.
  • Provide limited decision-making authority in emergency situations when the SVP is unavailable. This role does not carry independent signing authority.
  • Participate in the evaluation of the interim pilot structure. Success will be measured by continuity of service, minimal disruption to financial operations, and effective team leadership.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule

M-F, 8-4:30 (hybrid/remote options available)

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 4, 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted

Salary Range

The salary range for the position is $85,000 - $90,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Please include the following documents with your application:

  1. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

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