Finance/Budget Analyst - Research Administrator

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; Elkins Hills (NC); Remote; USD 78,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Finance/Budget Analyst - Research Administrator to oversee budgets and expenditures across a portfolio of Principal Investigators.

The role covers pre-award and post-award financial management, prepares budgets, reconciles accounts, and collaborates with central offices and sponsors. The position is remote, with preference for NC residence.

Qualifications

• Mid-careerwith Masters and 1-2 yrs experience; or Bachelors and 2-4 yrs experience.
• Experience with pre- and post-award financial management.
• Payroll forecasting experience.
• Understanding regulations from funding agencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Experience creating spreadsheets and formulas in Excel.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work autonomously with accuracy and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee budget execution and expenditures for a portfolio of investigators.
• Handle pre-award and post-award financial management activities.
• Develop budgets, work with subcontractors, and process forms (CAYUSE, RAMSeS).
• Reconcile transactions, project personnel/non-personnel projections, and financial reports.
• Coordinate with OSP and central offices; ensure compliance with funding rules.

Skills

Pre- and post-award financial管理

Payroll forecasting

Regulatory compliance understanding

Microsoft Office suite

Excel formulas

Strong communication

Customer service

Organizational and time management

Autonomy and accuracy

Budget analysis

Education

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

RAMSeS

CAYUSE

ConnectCarolina

Infoporte

Job description

Posting Information

• Department: ResServiceFirst-ResAdmin-621975
• Career Area: Accounting/Finance/Auditing
• Posting Open Date: 10/19/2026
• Application Deadline: 11/02/2026
• Open Until Filled: No
• Position Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
• Working Title: Finance/Budget Analyst - Research Administrator
• Appointment Type: EHRA Non-Faculty
• Position Number: 20079136
• Vacancy ID: NF0010127
• Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time Permanent
• FTE: 1
• Hours per week: 40
• Position Location: North Carolina, US
• Hiring Range: $78,000 - $83,934
• Proposed Start Date: 01/04/2027

Position Information

Be a Tar Heel! A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) oversees, develops, supports, and grows UNC-Chapel Hill's $1 billion research enterprise. The offices reporting to the OVCR set strategic priorities for research, manage proposals and awards, provide research infrastructure, identify funding opportunities, develop research teams and partnerships, oversee regulatory compliance, and communicate the impact and value of the University's research enterprise. The OVCR enables research endeavors for faculty, students, and scholars; encourages interdisciplinary research collaboration across campus; and fosters expansion and diversification of the University's sponsored research portfolio by collaborating with foundations, federal agencies, corporations, and the state and federal governments. The Vice Chancellor for Research also oversees multiple pan-University, multidisciplinary research centers and institutes.

Position Summary

The Budget Analyst will provide oversight and support in the execution of the budget and expense to a specific portfolio consisting of Principal Investigators and/or Center/Institute Directors. This support will include pre-award, post-award, and financial management of other fund types. On the pre-award side, this position will work with research teams to develop proposal budgets, work with subcontractors to develop their budgets and other materials, complete applications such as CAYUSE and PHS forms, process RAMSeS Internal Processing Form for institutional routing, and liaison with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). This position will provide support for finance and post-award activities by independently reviewing and approving transactions, reconciling and reporting on various fund types, providing personnel and non-personnel projections, and acting as a liaison with central offices and sponsors. The total annual budget managed by this position will be in the range of $15-20 million with annual expenditures in the range of $5-$7.5 million.

This position will examine budgets and expenditures for compliance with applicable state, federal, and agency laws. This position will provide consultation, technical assistance, and coordination in the preparation and execution of the initial, continuation, operating, and expansion budgets through pre-award and post-award processes that will utilize multiple funding sources. This position completes or evaluates methodologies used in the preparation of proposal budgets and/or program spending forecasts and provides technical assistance to improve the accuracy of projections. The position will evaluate program, policy, and rule changes to determine their fiscal and program impact and to assure compliance with state, federal, and agency requirements. The position is responsible for the coordination and evaluation of state, federal, and agency required reports to ensure that they meet their respective requirements. The position may review and approve contract recommendations to assure that contracts are consistent with state, federal, and agency guidelines. This position will identify risk and adverse issues generated in budget and program activities, present appropriate issues and recommend solutions to management. Professional technical knowledge and analytical skills will assure that goals and outcomes are provided with effective support.

This position is a 100% remote work arrangement, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Mid-career with Masters and 1-2 yrs experience; or Bachelors and 2-4 yrs experience

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Knowledge of and experience working with pre- and post-award financial management from a variety of sponsors.
• Extensive experience with calculating payroll and forecasting.
• Thorough understanding of how to interpret regulations and guidelines from a wide variety of funding agencies and use the funding mechanism required by those agencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access).
• Extensive experience creating spreadsheets and developing formulas in Excel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of autonomy, accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Three or more years of experience with financial management of sponsored research (pre- and post-award).
• Previous experience with UNC-CH systems (e.g., CAYUSE, RAMSeS, ConnectCarolina, Infoporte).
• Experience with State, F&A, trust, and other fund types.
• Experience with financial and pre-/post-award management workflow tools.
• Experience managing funds and awards for multiple principal investigators across multiple units.
• Experience with shadow accounting.
• Experience with electronic personnel salary source management.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), and/or Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA) credentials.
• Experience managing or providing work direction to peers and clients/customers.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Not Applicable.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Quick Link

https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/327198

Posting Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]. Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.