University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Assistant/Associate Director, Grant and Contract Financial Administration

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, Business and Finance, Research Services

Job Description Summary

The Office of Research Services post award group engages with key stakeholders, research administrators, internal and external partners, sponsors, and regulatory agencies throughout the post award lifespan of a sponsored project. The Associate Director plays a vital role in the success of research administration at Penn. The Associate Director will be responsible for day to day management of a team of Grant and Contract Financial Administrators, ensuring post award financial administration for a portfolio of approximately $250m in sponsored project funds; and ensuring compliance with federal, city, and state regulatory requirements, as well as with sponsor and University policies and procedures. The Associate Director will serve as an Authorized Organizational Representative under delegation from the Trustees for submission and sign-off of post award financial information to federal and other research sponsors.

The Associate Director will work closely with the Office of Research Services (ORS) staff and research departments in the schools and centers to ensure compliance with sponsor and university invoicing, financial reporting, and other requirements. The Associate director will collaborate with our internal partners to identify ways to improve communication, workflows and efficiencies, ensure post award controls and processes are operating appropriately and provide support and guidance on post award policies and procedures. As part of the ORS team, the Associate Director will also be responsible developing, delivering, and facilitating University-wide sponsored projects training for research administrators and post award team members. He/she will also provide technical support for various post award systems and processes and work with internal partners and departments and external auditors on sponsored project compliance monitoring and audits.

In the Division of Finance, we recognize diversity and inclusion is paramount to a positive and thriving work environment; it is a business imperative. We are committed to actively fostering diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency throughout our operational efforts in the Division of Finance. This role will be critical in supporting those efforts and demonstrating behaviors and competencies that reflect Penn's values.

We take pride in the myriad ways that diversity enriches our curriculum, and the cultural and social life of our campus. Penn's commitment to achieving eminence through diversity is ultimately a commitment to creating a more vibrant university so that our graduates will be both stimulated and empowered to shape a better world.

Job Description

Directly supervise 3-5 assigned Grant and Contract Administrators. Supervisory responsibilities include, but are not limited to: recruitment, performance management, paid time off, and day to day management and oversight of supervises’ portfolios. Ensure accuracy of supervises’ invoices, accounts receivables, and financial reporting to federal and non-federal sponsoring agencies.

Serve as Penn’s Official Authorized Financial Officer on matters related to financial management of sponsored project awards including certifying financial reporting, award relinquishment, trainee terminations, budget changes and prior approval requests; provide advanced technical expertise to internal and external partners and collaborators on complex reporting and compliance issues; liaise with sponsors on complex post-award issues.

Provide support and guidance to Assistant & Associate Director colleagues on complex issues including implementation of new procedures to address regulatory changes, allowability of costs, revenue, expense and accounts receivables monitoring; cost transfers, financial disputes, process workflows, and system efficiencies.

Hold regular meetings with business administrators and collaborate with other internal University partners to ensure service needs are met; serve as subject matter expert on financial award management issues including determination of allowability, allocability, and reasonableness of costs on sponsored project awards .

Manage and oversee post-award special projects; provide advanced post-award technical support for various BEN and GMS processes including GL to GMS interfaces, workflows, and invoice output; Assist in developing new and modifying existing tools and procedures for post award research compliance monitoring

Develop, manage and deliver university-wide instructor-led and web based sponsored projects training course offerings; ensure training materials and content are maintained and consistent with federal, city, state and sponsor compliance requirements ​

Develop, maintain and enforce Penn internal financial policies/procedures; serve as expert on Penn and Federal agency financial management policies on grants and contracts

Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree and 5 years to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in post award research administration are required.

Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a deadline-driven environment. Knowledge of University financial and sponsored program policies and systems, including BEN Financials, GMS, Pennera, Effort reporting, Data Warehouse, Workday, MS Office, NSF Fastlane/Research.gov and NIH Commons strongly preferred. Working knowledge of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance (UG) regulations and experience working with federal sponsors preferred. Managerial experience preferred.

Strong financial, analytical, and modeling skills. Experience with the University of Pennsylvania financial systems preferred. Advanced user skills with Excel and other Microsoft programs and computer systems. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and accurate. Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Demonstrated organizational and prioritization skills, along with the ability to work within tight and often conflicting deadlines. Must be flexible, show effective judgement, discretion and have the ability to handle confidential financial matters.

Work effectively in a highly matrixed and decentralized environment with the ability to navigate through ambiguity and demonstrate appreciation and support for diversity, inclusion and belonging in a constantly evolving academic/higher education environment.

Working Conditions:

Office, Library, computer room

Physical Effort:

Typing, sitting at a desk or table

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Finance

Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $90,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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  To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.