AVP - Post Awards Finance

aah; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health benefits

Educational Assistance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Advocate Health is seeking a senior post-award financial leader to oversee all post-award activities across the Enterprise. You will establish strategic direction and service delivery standards while guiding managers, analysts, and researchers through complex grant portfolios.

You will ensure compliant administration of sponsored awards, manage invoicing and cash flow, and build infrastructure to support growth in sponsored research, clinical trials, and related programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in accounting/finance/business administration or a related field.
• Extensive knowledge of sponsored research administration and post-award financial management.
• Ability to lead large, matrixed teams and initiatives.
• Strong analytical, financial, operational and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and oversight for all post-award financial administration activities across the Enterprise.
• Establishes strategic direction, service delivery standards, and operational priorities for the post-award function.
• Leads and develops managers, analysts, accountants, and research administration professionals.
• Oversees financial management of sponsored awards including federal, state, foundation, and industry-sponsored trials.
• Ensures awards are established, administered, monitored, and closed per sponsor requirements and policies.
• Directs invoicing, reporting, reimbursement tracking, cash management, and financial reconciliation.

Skills

Post-award leadership

Leadership

Compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Related field

Tools

Enterprise financial systems

Grants management systems

Job description

Department: 10209 Enterprise Corporate - Administration: Accounting

Status: Full time

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Hou rs Per Week: 40

Schedule Details/Additional Information: N/A

Pay Range: $86.75 - $138.80

Major Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership and oversight for all post-award financial administration activities across the Enterprise.
• Establishes strategic direction, service delivery standards, and operational priorities for the post-award function.
• Leads and develops managers, analysts, accountants, and research administration professionals supporting sponsored programs.
• Builds organizational capabilities and infrastructure to support growth in sponsored research, grants, and clinical trials.
• Oversees financial management of sponsored awards including federal grants, state grants, foundation awards, and industry-sponsored clinical trials.
• Ensures awards are established, administered, monitored, and closed in accordance with sponsor requirements and organizational policies.
• Directs invoicing, reporting, reimbursement tracking, cash management, and financial reconciliation activities.
• Provides oversight of financial performance, portfolio trends, and funding utilization across the sponsored research portfolio.
• Serves as the organizational subject matter expert for post-award financial compliance requirements.
• Ensures compliance with sponsor regulations, award terms and conditions, institutional policies, and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Establishes and maintains internal controls to protect sponsored program assets and reduce compliance risk.
• Leads audit preparation, sponsor reviews, corrective action planning, and regulatory responses.
• Partners with investigators, faculty, research administrators, operational leaders, and finance teams to provide guidance throughout the post-award lifecycle.
• Collaborates with pre-award administration, research operations, compliance, legal, clinical trials, and finance teams to ensure seamless handoffs and efficient administration of sponsored programs.
• Serves as a trusted advisor regarding award management, financial oversight, compliance requirements, and sponsor expectations.
• Develops and implements standardized post-award policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, service delivery, financial controls, and reporting capabilities.
• Leads projects focused on system optimization, process redesign, and operational scalability.
• Supports integration and standardization efforts across academic, research, and enterprise finance function

Education Required:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Research Administration, or related field.

Work Experience Required:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Research Administration, or related field.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

Extensive knowledge of sponsored research administration and post-award financial management.

Strong understanding of federal grant regulations, sponsor requirements, financial controls, and compliance standards.

Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex, matrixed teams and initiatives.

Strong analytical, financial, operational, and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Ability to influence senior leaders and collaborate effectively across organizational boundaries.

Experience with enterprise financial systems, grants administration systems, and reporting tools.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more - so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per