Grants and Finance Manager

Department

Development Economics Center

About the Department

Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the University of Chicago uses the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. It was founded and is led by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer.

Job Summary

The Grants and Finance Manager will support the operations of a portfolio of funding including sponsored research awards for UChicago Development Innovation Lab. This role will report to the Director of Finance and will collaborate extensively with the Principal Investigator and Research staff on a portfolio of DIL projects. This is a great opportunity to bring experience and deepen responsibility in finance, accounting, sponsored research, and general operations in a non-profit research environment. This person will support the financial operations, which includes budgeting and procurement, and grant management of a portfolio of accounts.

This position provides professional support for pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals and funding within a department or unit. Pre-award activities include research, preparing applications, and editing proposals. Post-award activities include compliance monitoring, payment processing, and salary allocations. Performs work with moderate guidance and utilizes knowledge of University and business drivers.

Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with Principal Investigators, Research Directors, Research Staff, and DIL partners to develop spending plans for new projects, proposals, and other initiatives.
• Takes the steps needed, gathering information and ensuring grant compliance, to execute on the spending plan as outlined by the PI, Research Managers, or Research staff.
• Supports the Research Portfolio manager with proposal development by understanding sponsor formatting guidelines, preparing supporting documents, and collecting proposal elements.
• Ensures compliance with grant rules and regulations, both University and Sponsor.
• Provides guidance to research teams on how to meet project goals within compliance constraints.
• Prepares interim sponsored project financial reports and closeout reports.
• Works with University Research Administration to prepare budget summaries as required for sponsored project reports.
• Leads coordination on grant audit requests.
• Portfolio of responsibility may include federal grants.
• Meets with Research Managers, Research Directors and/or PIs to review account portfolios.
• Reviews and facilitates approving transactions within the University’s financial and procurement systems, assuring compliance with approved budgets and obtaining additional stakeholder input as needed.
• Examines financial reports for consistency, accuracy, and compliance. At the direction of the research staff and PIs, resolves errors and works collaboratively to prevent repeat occurrences.
• With the Director of Finance, develops and maintains tools for tracking key financial data. Maintains project specific budgets, prepares forecasts with research teams, and assists in tracking expenses to budget with research managers across the organization.
• Every month, reviews payroll allocations with the research teams and the Director of Finance, and conducts data entry to execute the team’s spending plan.
• Coordinates with the Director of Finance on salary allocations according to the needs of the assigned project portfolio.
• Prepares financial reports.
• Shares knowledge, expertise, and best practices with other finance and grant management staff members.
• May be assigned special projects or responsibilities as needed.
• Handles straightforward post-award activities including account creations, regulatory and compliance monitoring, salary allocations, effort reporting, grant projections, cost allocations, cost center charges, equipment inventory, invoice preparation, grant closing process, and account closing.
• Prepares summaries of grants and effort allocations for Principal Investigators, meets with them and responds to their questions. 
• Coordinates with other departments/units/divisions regarding multi investigator grants. Serves as department contact for annual audits and agency site visits.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field.

Experience: 

• Minimum 3 years of experience in operations, grant administration, finance, or other related field.
• Submitting grant proposals to a variety of sponsors.
• Budget planning and forecasting, ledgers, invoices, and fiscal reporting.
• Background in a higher education or non-profit environment.
• Managing post-award activities, especially projects that are funded by multiple sponsors.
• Cross-cultural communications and working at an international organization.
• Technical Skills or Knowledge:
• Proficient with financial and accounting systems such as Workday or Oracle/Peoplesoft.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel, advanced Excel skills.
• Preferred Competencies
• Work effectively with a diverse workforce in a complex research environment.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Comfortable with a consultative approach to interacting with employees.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with previous project management experience.
• Resourceful problem-solver and critical thinker. Proactive in leveraging opportunities and anticipating and averting problems.
• Handle all employment information and issues with absolute discretion - confidentiality is essential.

Working Conditions

• Travel extensively and flexibly as needed for respective responsibilities.