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Position Introduction:
The Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences is seeking a Senior Research Coordinator (Senior Administrative/Financial Coordinator) to join the Dean’s Office Research Finance Administration Team. This position provides specialized financial administration and post-award support for sponsored grants and contracts across the College.
The Senior Research Coordinator works collaboratively with Principal Investigators (PIs), departmental staff, College leadership, central University offices, the Research Manager, Lead Coordinators, and other stakeholders while contributing to a team‑based approach to sponsored‑project administration. The role supports the monitoring of sponsored‑project financial activity, preparation and analysis of financial reports and projections, resolution of financial and administrative issues, and compliance with sponsor requirements and University policies and procedures.
The position serves as a research-finance resource for faculty and departmental staff, providing consultation, guidance, and problem resolution related to sponsored-project financial administration. The Senior Research Coordinator exercises independent judgment in reviewing financial activity, identifying potential compliance or procedural concerns, researching complex issues, and developing appropriate solutions.
Essential Duties
- Manages and monitors the financial administration of sponsored grants and contracts in coordination with PIs, departmental staff, and appropriate University offices.
- Collaborates closely with the Research Manager, Lead Coordinators, and members of the Research Finance Administration Team to ensure consistent processes, shared problem‑solving, and coordinated support across the College.
- Prepares and distributes recurring financial reports for sponsored projects, including expenditures, commitments, available balances, and financial projections.
- Analyzes sponsored-project financial activity and provides PIs and departmental staff with information necessary to support effective financial management and decision-making.
- Reviews transactions and financial activity for accuracy, appropriate funding, allowability, and compliance with sponsor terms and conditions and applicable University policies and procedures.
- Identifies, researches, and resolves financial discrepancies, procedural errors, compliance concerns, and other issues affecting sponsored projects.
- Provides consultation, guidance, and problem resolution to PIs and departmental staff regarding research financial administration, policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Coordinates with Research Manager, Lead Coordinators, central University offices, and other stakeholders to research complex issues, obtain guidance, and communicate resolutions to PIs and departmental personnel.
- Provides research-finance support for purchases, travel, reimbursements, funding requests, and other financial transactions associated with sponsored grants and contracts.
- Assists with developing, implementing, interpreting, and communicating research-finance policies and procedures to promote consistency and compliance across the College.
- Provides training and guidance to faculty and departmental staff regarding research-finance processes, policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
- Provides research-finance administrative coverage and support to departments during staff vacancies, extended leaves of absence, or other periods requiring additional College support.
- Maintains discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive financial, research, personnel, and institutional information.
- Performs related duties and special projects as needed to successfully support the research-finance administration functions of the College.
- Supports continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to streamline processes, enhance consistency, and strengthen compliance across the College.
These responsibilities preserve the substantive functions of the existing position, including financial reporting and projections, grant administration, compliance monitoring, problem resolution, consultation, vacancy coverage, policy interpretation, and research-related purchasing and travel support.
Skills
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in financial review and reporting.
- Demonstrated proactive and exceptional customer-service orientation when supporting faculty and departmental staff.
- Strong financial analysis and basic accounting skills.
- Ability to work effectively with the Research Manager, Lead Coordinators, and the broader Research Finance Administration Team in a collaborative, high‑volume environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including the ability to develop, maintain, and manipulate spreadsheets and financial reports.
- Ability to maintain, navigate, and interpret information from databases and financial systems.
- Strong computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet development, email, and electronic records management.
- Ability to analyze financial information, identify discrepancies, and develop appropriate solutions.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, competing timelines, and meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate complex financial, research, and policy information clearly to faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and work independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, departmental staff, College leadership, central University offices, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to interpret and apply sponsor requirements and federal, state, and University policies and regulations.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a high-volume environment.
Advertised Physical Requirements
Standard office environment with extensive computer use. Must be able to engage in repetitive motion, including movements of the hands, wrists, and fingers, communicate effectively, and travel to offices across campus.
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