Assistant Director, Sponsored Programs

University of Central Florida; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 89,076 - 111,345; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Paid time off

Retirement savings

Employee discounts

Education assistance

Job summary

University of Central Florida is seeking a collaborative accounting leader to oversee post-award accounting activities, strengthen financial controls, and ensure compliant practices for sponsored projects and core revenue operations. The role includes supervising staff, ensuring timely reporting, and coordinating with sponsors and university leadership.

The position requires deep knowledge of GAAP, federal/state/university rules, ERP systems, and experience with Workday grants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree required with 4+ years of relevant experience and at least 1+ year of leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, and ERP financial systems; ability to supervise post-award accounting activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead post-award accounting reporting and invoicing to sponsors of $200M+ expenditures annually.
• Hire, train, coach and supervise grants accounting staff and conduct annual performance appraisals.
• Coordinate with investigators and administrators to resolve post-award issues and train staff on policy changes.
• Implement and monitor internal controls for sponsored award accounts receivable and participate in year-end activities.
• Assist with development and implementation of improved procedures for awards from contract review to closeout.

Skills

Leadership experience

GAAP knowledge

ERP systems

2 CFR 200 knowledge

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Tools

Workday

Job description

The Opportunity: UCF is seeking a collaborative accounting leader to oversee professional accounting activities and strengthen financial procedures, internal controls, and accounting practices supporting both sponsored research agreements and core revenue operations, including cash application, revenue reconciliation, financial closeouts, and data analysis.

You will serve as a subject matter resource in University, sponsor, and Federal regulations, helping ensure compliant and effective post-award financial administration. This position also provides meaningful leadership responsibility: you will supervise and conduct quality control for your assigned team, ensuring effective performance in billing/collection, monthly, annual, and year-end reporting for internal and external stakeholders, and compliance with sponsor requirements. A key part of the role is supporting the supervision and development of staff who carry out these responsibilities.

This position requires strong knowledge of Federal, State, and University rules, GAAP, and ERP financial systems and other integrated systems. Reporting to the Associate Director of Sponsored Programs, the role carries signature authority on behalf of the University for financial documents, reflecting the level of trust and accountability associated with the work.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as lead and supervise all post award accounting financial reporting and invoicing to federal, state, and private funding sponsors of $200M+ in expenditures annually. Ensure reporting, invoicing, expenditure reviews, cash management, draw system reconciliations, cost share, equipment disposition, closeout activities are accurate, timely and in compliance with sponsor requirements.
• Hire, train, coach and supervise grants accounting personnel to ensure an optimum level of staff and staff expertise. Work with direct reports to establish goals and objectives that enhance their professional development of their direct reports and complete and deliver annual performance appraisals. Review metric reports and other data to monitor workload volume and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with investigators and college and department research administrators to resolve issues and advise on research requirements; interpret and communicate procedural and policy changes; oversee and coordinate training and demonstrations to investigators and their staff on post award issues.
• Implement and monitor internal controls for all sponsored award accounts receivable transactions. Monitor and manage collection of accounts receivable and report progress and results to senior leadership. Supervise and review account analysis and reconciliation of the accounts receivable general ledger. Participate in year-end financial activities. Complete annual Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards report, routine and non-routine journal entries and required year end schedules.
• Assist the Associate Director and the Director of Sponsored Programs with the development and implementation of congruent procedures for the management of awards from the time of contract review through award setup, award management and final project closeout. Identify areas of opportunity for continuous process improvement to increase accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Coordinate with other operational units of the Office of Research to ensure compliance for sponsored projects campus-wide which includes maintaining current knowledge of cost accounting standards, contract and grant requirements, University Policies, Florida State Statutes, 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) and other applicable guidance. Assist with internal and external audits as well as Auditor General and State inquiries.
• Provide recommendations for use of existing automated accounting systems to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes and/or strengthen internal controls. Assist with implementation and adoption of new applications and upgrades while working closely with kNEXT/WEST/GRIT HRS personnel on the best uses of these systems. Analyze Workday Grants Help Cases received from UCF community, identify resolution and provide guidance to user. Escalate to WEST when needed.
• Hold fiduciary responsibility through signature authority for invoices, financial liability statements, expenditure and closeout documents on behalf of the university.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience with at least 1+ year(s) of leadership experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 4+ years progressively responsible experience in grants accounting or research financial administration, preferably within a central office at a large institution of higher education.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, or supporting staff within a grants accounting research administration or an accounting operational environment.
• In-depth knowledge of internal controls, financial reporting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and ERP financial systems, with a strong understanding of institutional or business operations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple administrative or financial projects and competing priorities under tight deadlines, maintaining accuracy, compliance and efficiency in fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving expertise, with hands‑on experience in troubleshooting complex issues.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

The anticipated salary range for this position is $89,076 - $111,345. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

This is a Contract and Grant (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
• Retirement savings options
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
• Education assistance
• And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Department Office of Research - Operations

Work Schedule Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Type of Appointment Regular

Expected Salary $89,076.00 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date 08-05-2026-12-00-AM

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email [e-mail].

For general application or posting questions, please email [e-mail].