Associate Director, Research Support Services

Wayne State University; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University in Detroit seeks an Associate Director to lead Research Support Services and ensure compliance with federal guidelines. You will manage budgeting, payroll redistribution, and effort reporting within Sponsored Programs Administration, directing staff and coordinating with campus units and sponsors.

The role requires a BA/BS, with preference for experience overseeing sponsored funds, GAAP knowledge, and familiarity with the Uniform Guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Prior experience managing sponsored research funds preferred.
• Supervisory experience or leading oversight responsibilities preferred.
• Knowledge of GAAP principles.
• Strong knowledge of Federal Uniform Guidance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Research Support Services team.
• Manage labor payroll redistribution and effort reporting processes.
• Ensure compliance with university guidelines and external agency regulations.
• Coordinate year-end closeout for grant funds and financial reporting.
• Communicate with sponsors and resolve inquiries in a timely manner.
• Supervise staff, assign work, review performance, and prepare status reports.
• Operate ERP Labor Redistribution and Effort Reporting modules and resolve system issues.
• Assist in maintaining data integrity across financial records.

Skills

Budget management

Sponsored program administration

GAAP knowledge

Federal Uniform Guidance

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP Banner

Cognos reporting

Microsoft Office

Job description

Associate Director, Research Support Services

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced AssociateDirector, Research Support Services at its Detroit campuslocation.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university locatedin the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from allbackgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Ourdeep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity,diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educationalopportunities which prepare students for success in a globalsociety.

Position Purpose:

Manage the day-to-day operations of the Research Support Servicesteam within Sponsored Program Administration. Manage a large volumeof financial data in order to maintain accurate financial recordsfor the Expendable Restricted Fund. Ensure compliance withuniversity guidelines and external agency regulations.

Essential Functions:

Manage the change in labor payroll redistribution and effortreporting processes. Assign work to staff, analyze cost transfers,manage exceptions, and approve financial transactions using the ERPmodule. Work with university units to ensure timely posting oflabor redistributions. Work with Fiscal Operations and TechnicalSupport to resolve suspended transactions. Continual review ofprocess to implement process improvement. Manage the ERP LaborRedistribution Module including testing, implementation ofenhancements and troubleshooting system errors. Manage effortreporting process to ensure compliance with federal guidelines.Review and maintain the effort reporting email in-box and answerany questions that may arise. Manage the ERP Effort ReportingModule including testing, implementation of enhancements andtroubleshooting system errors.

Various fiscal compliance and data integrity functions are asfollows:

Provide assistance to administrators in interpretation of thefederal Uniform Guidance standards and specific sponsoring agenciesgrant and contract terms.

Communicate with external sponsors, investigate, and respond toinquiries and coordinate timely problem resolution.

Manage various fiscal year-end activities.

Manage chart of account data elements to ensure proper coding ofrevenue and expenditure transactions.

Assist in coordination of the annual single audit.

Manage the grant/fund financial closeout process for both costbased and fixed price projects. Ensure that all reconciliationitems are paid within the Uniform Guidance and Sponsored Programadministration standards.

Manage the Cost Share funding process. Ensure that all cost shareaccounts are funded in the proper fiscal year.

Review expenditure transfer requests to ensure compliance withuniversity and agency guidelines and regulations. Keep abreast offederal regulations regarding expenditure transfers and communicateany changes to the university community. Analyze cost transfers forcompliance with cost accounting standards. Ensure that requiredjustification is provided, and appropriate documentation isretained for audit purposes. Approve cost transfers as a financialofficer.

Manage the cash management functions for the restricted fundsincluding the application of wire/cash and cash requests on variousfederal letters of credit. Ensure compliance with federal cashmanagement standards. Act as the Authorized Financial Official forFederal Letter Credits Financial Reports and Cash Draws. Serve asan Authorized Financial Official for Federal Systems, includingNational Science Foundation, Housing and Urban Development, USDepartment of Defense, and others as implemented.

Personnel management functions including direct supervision ofstaff, interviewing, hiring, promotion recommendations, performanceappraisals, etc. Analyze and review work completed by the staff,including Federal letters of Credit reports, various financial aidreports, payroll redistribution and close out activities. Preparestatus reports on unit activities. Assess workload issues anddistribution of assignments.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Experience

Prior experience in the management of sponsored research funds,preferred.

Supervisory experience and/or demonstrated experience functioningin a lead capacity with oversight responsibilities,preferred.

Knowledge and experience with the principles and practice ofgovernmental accounting, including Generally Accepted AccountingPrinciples (GAAP).

In depth knowledge of the Federal Uniform Guidance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Planning/Organizing Skills

Prioritizes and plans workactivities; adapts for changing conditions; communicates changesand progress.

Team Building

Develops subordinates' skills and encouragesgrowth; encourages sense of positive affiliation among staffmembers.

Analytical Skills

Analyze accounting, financial, or otherquantitative data; detect errors and discrepancies.

Problem-Solving Skills

Identifies and resolves problems intimely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; developalternative approaches and ideas; solves complex problems.

Communication Skills

Strong written and verbalcommunication skills; strong customer service skills.

Computer Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Officeapplications, ERP Banner system, and Cognos reporting tools.

School/College/Division:

The Division of Research & Innovation

Primary Department:

H0912 - Sponsored Program Administration

Employment Type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/Salary Information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Annual Salary: To be determined

Working Conditions:

Normal office environment.

Job Openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offeredemployment to undergo a background check, including a criminalhistory check, before starting work. If you are offered employment,the university will inform you if a background check isrequired.