Finance Program Manager, Crown Institute

University of Colorado System; Allenspark (CO); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and retirement plans

Generous paid time off

Tuition assistance for you and depend

Eco Pass for local transit

Job summary

University of Colorado System is seeking a Finance Program Manager to provide advanced financial administration for a diverse portfolio of sponsored projects across the Institute. You will partner with PIs, project teams, and central offices to manage proposals, post-award finances, compliance, reporting, and closeouts in alignment with sponsor regulations and University policies.

The role requires deep expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls within higher education or

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience in finance or budgeting.
• Knowledge of federal and state sponsor regulations and budgeting principles.
• Ability to manage a large, diverse research portfolio across multiple sponsors.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting and pre-award support with interpretation of solicitation terms.
• Prepare and reconcile proposal budgets across CU formats.
• Manage post-award financial activities including SpeedType and cost reporting.
• Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and sponsor terms.
• Coordinate with OCG, CCO, HR, and procurement on funding and staffing.
• Produce regular financial analyses, forecasts, and variance reporting.
• Closeout awards and ensure audit readiness.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

PeopleSoft

Concur

Marketplace

Job description

Job Summary

The Finance Program Manager provides advanced financialadministration support for a complex portfolio of federally andnon-federally sponsored research projects within the Institute.This position serves as a key partner to Principal Investigators(PIs), project teams, Institute leadership, and central universityoffices throughout the full award lifecycle, including proposaldevelopment, post-award financial management, compliance oversight,financial analysis, reporting, and award closeout. The position isresponsible for ensuring that sponsored project activities aremanaged in accordance with sponsor regulations, Uniform Guidance (2CFR 200), University policies and procedures, and applicable stateand federal requirements.

This role requires substantial expertise in sponsored projectbudgeting, financial forecasting, compliance monitoring,accounting, and financial management in a higher education orresearch environment. The Research Finance Program Managerindependently manages complex financial portfolios, providesstrategic guidance and decision support to faculty and leadership,monitors financial risk and internal controls, coordinates auditand reporting activities, and supports effective stewardship ofInstitute resources. The position also collaborates extensivelywith the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG), Campus Controller’sOffice (CCO), Human Resources, Procurement, and sponsor agencies toensure accurate, compliant, and timely financial administration ofsponsored and discretionary funds.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating aworkplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Who We Are

The Crown Institute’s research focuses on practices, programs, andpolicies that foster wellness among children and youth, familiesand caregivers, educators, and mental health and health providers.Scholars in multiple fields work together and in partnership withfamilies, teachers, young people, and community members.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Budgeting and pre-award support

• Review, interpret, and inform PIs of solicitation terms withfinancial and Human Resource implications that require specialapprovals and/or planning: reduced indirect cost rates, cost share,PI eligibility, salary caps, etc.
• Prepare proposal budgets using the university format,maintaining multiple budgets as needed for internal CU processes,and integrating input into appropriate full proposal budgets forsubmission.
• Track and interpret the needs articulated by the PI and otherresearch personnel in order to create appropriate proposal budgets,using analyses of historical and current Institute budget data,standard fringe and indirect cost rates, and University policiesgoverning budgeting practices like ICR split agreements, costshare, salary limitation, cost categorization andallowability.
• Review final proposal packages prior to submission to ensureaccuracy, completeness, and consistency of all budget-relatedinformation, including staffing allocations and effortcommitments.
• Maintain updated, organized, and complete files on proposals inthe Finance Team shared drive.
• Engage with OCG and CCO to process Pre-Award At-Risk requestsif necessary, and coordinate approved pre-award spending activitiesin compliance with University policies and sponsorrequirements.

Post-award financial management

• Lead SpeedType lifecycle management for the assigned portfolioby engaging with OCG and CCO to establish, modify, monitor, andclose SpeedTypes in accordance with each award’s terms andconditions. Inform OCG and CCO of changes to PIs on awards due tonew hires or staffing turnover.
• Interpret and maintain a consistent understanding of allfinance-related award terms and conditions in the assignedportfolio (cost allowability, cost share, reporting, etc.), andengage regularly with the PI and project team to ensure proactive,compliant management of the financial aspects of the award.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200),federal cost principles, and sponsor-specific regulations, andremain up to date on policy changes of federal and state sponsoragencies.
• Consistently implement award-specific budgetary and financialterms and conditions, adhere to funding agency requirements, followCU policies and procedures, and observe state regulations for theappropriate utilization of restricted and non-restrictedfunds.
• Work with PIs and HR to facilitate new hires by verifyingfunding adequacy for requested salary allocations, analyzingappropriateness based on the approved budget, scope, award, terms,and relevant sponsor and university policies, and providingaccurate SpeedTypes to HR. Work with HR to submit monthly andbiweekly funding distributions for employees in the assignedportfolio.
• Generate ad hoc analyses, such as salary histories, what-ifscenarios, and activity-level budgets for PIs and ProjectLeads.
• Monitor financial activity and invoices of subawardees forcompliance with sponsor terms, approved budgets, and federalregulations; coordinate with PIs and OCG regarding subrecipientrisk management and invoice approvals.
• Collaborate with PIs, OCG, and sponsors to identify the needand submit award modifications, including but not limited to tono-cost extensions, carryforward requests, budget revisions,restricted funds transfers, PI or co-PI changes, requests foradditional funding, addition of new subawardee(s), etc.
• Provide PIs and Project Leads with routine expenditure updatesand budget tracking for ongoing decision support; identify andcommunicate variances and unanticipated transactions in a timelymanner.
• Maintain organized files for each award in the assignedportfolio to ensure complete, accurate documentation and records toensure the Institute is audit-ready for any outside requestor (CUinternal audit, State of Colorado, federal sponsors, etc.)
• Prepare financial reports for awards in line with sponsorrequirements, and engage with the PI, the Director of Finance andBusiness Development, and CCO to ensure reviews and secure therequired approvals prior to submission.
• Coordinate with PIs, OCG, and CCO for final award closeouts inCU’s systems.

Finance and Accounting

• Produce, update, and analyze financial projections sheets forSpeedTypes in the assigned portfolio: encumber future expenses incooperation with the Institute’s Procurement and OperationsSpecialist, assess balances and expenditure trends, and identifypotential misalignment of expenditures with available budgetbalances and/or award terms.
• Provide strategic financial analysis and recommendations forPIs and Project Leads through the production and dissemination ofregular financial reporting that summarizes key financial data(balances, expenditure rates, variances, etc.) and provides timelyinsights to support sound project management and effective fundforecasting.
• Manage and process accounts payable and receivable for all fundtypes in the assigned portfolio, and ensure timely processing ofall financial requirements (e.g., indirect cost recovery splits,cost share commitments, etc.).
• Prepare, review, reconcile, and submit Procurement Card, TravelCard, and reimbursement expense reports in compliance with federal,state, University, and Institute policies for projects in theassigned portfolio. Authorize payments for invoices for suppliesand services obtained. Provide policy guidance to project staff toensure compliant use of PCards, Travel Cards, and expenseincurrence.
• Conduct monthly expense reconciliations, scrutinizing eachexpense for appropriateness and ensuring accurate account coding.Based on the monthly review and reconciliation of accounts,recommend and process cost transfers, journal entries, payrollexpense transfers (PETs), and cash transfers.
• Implement and support internal controls designed to ensurefinancial integrity, regulatory compliance, appropriate segregationof duties, and mitigation of audit and financial risk.
• Coordinate responses to internal and external audit requestsfor the assigned portfolio, and assist with resolution of auditfindings or compliance concerns.
• Lead fiscal year-end processes for awards in the assignedportfolio: identify all relevant due dates from CCO and PSC, andensure all procurement and payment transactions are processed inaccordance with established timelines and procedures.
• Be responsible for cash advances and petty cash compliance andreconciliation procedures in accordance with University policiesand procedures.

Procurement

• Be responsible for compliance and administration of theInstitute’s Procurement Card program, including applicationprocessing, user guidance, maintenance of active cardholderrecords, and coordination of card closures for separatingemployees.
• Liaise with the Institute’s Procurement and FinancialOperations Specialist to facilitate timely procurement of goods andservices through CU MarketPlace, ensuring all purchases followaward terms and conditions, the necessary supplementaldocumentation is accurately completed (Official Function, SoleSource Justification, etc.), and all documentation is appropriatelyfiled for audit-readiness.
• Support adherence to internal control procedures related toprocurement, payments, reimbursements, and card programadministration.

Additional Support

• Back up other team members, including the Institute’sProcurement and Operations Specialist, HR professional, and theDirector of Finance and Business Development where needed.
• Provide training and guidance to Institute employees regardingsponsored project budgeting, financial management, sponsorregulations, and University policies and procedures.
• Within the designated portfolio, provide support for employeeand non-employee travel as needed, travel reimbursements inaccordance with university policies and procedures.

What You Should Know

• This position has the ability to work a hybrid schedule withtwo days on campus and three days remote per week.
• This position will occasionally require work in theevenings/weekends.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the UnitedStates without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide workvisa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position nowor in the future.

What We Can Offer

The annual hiring range is $75,000-$85,000. Relocation is available for eligible candidates.

Benefits

• medical,dental, and retirement plans
• generous paid time off
• tuition assistance for you and your dependents
• an ECO Pass for local transit

As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation.

In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's BestLarge Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Coloradoand #28 among universities nationwide.

Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 3+ years of experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, and/or financial management of awards funded by governmental or non-governmental sponsors or donors.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

• Knowledge of accounting principles, auditing standards, andbudgeting principles and practices for federal and statesponsors.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment, discretion, and towork independently.
• Practical approach and adaptability to offer alternativesolutions when project team requests exceed budget or violateuniversity or sponsor policies.
• Ability to effectively manage a substantial and varied researchportfolio from multiple sponsors (federal, state, foundation) and awide range of award instruments (contracts, grants, cooperativeagreements, service agreements, etc.)
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and articulate complexsolicitation requirements to research staff, often under tighttimelines, to ensure proposal budgets and documentation arecompleted on time, fully compliant, and unlikely to be returnedwithout review.
• Ability to manage a high-volume and diverse workload, balancingmultiple contending priorities while maintaining a high standard ofcustomer service.
• Ability to effectively communicate award terms and conditions,as well as key financial concepts, clearly and professionally toInstitute employees with varying levels of knowledge aboutbudgeting, financial management, and sponsor requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a complementaryteam, fostering cooperation with other members of the Finance &Personnel Team, the Institute, and the broader campuscommunity.
• Ability to think creatively about workload and work structureto enhance efficiency and customer service while ensuringcompliance.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, as well as strongorganizational and records management practices to maintaincomplete, accurate, and audit-ready proposal, award, and financialdocumentation.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience with R1 research university policies andprocedures.
• Familiarity with university financial systems (PeopleSoft,Concur, Marketplace, or similar).
• Knowledge of federal award cost principles.
• 5+ years of experience in finance, accounting, and managementof research or programmatic awards.
• 5+ years of experience in a university, research, or institutesetting.
• Experience with federal agency electronic systems (e.g.,grants.gov, research.gov) and federal regulatory frameworks.

We may request references at a later time.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifyinginformation such as age, date of birth, or dates of schoolattendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redactingor removing this information.