Grants Finance Specialist

Iowa State University - College of Design; Ames (IA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University - College of Design seeks a Grants Finance Specialist to support post-award activities across multiple colleges and university units. The role focuses on monitoring awards, ensuring sponsor compliance, and managing cost-sharing and reporting processes.

The position emphasizes collaboration with teams, budget revisions, and accurate financial reporting, with hybrid work eligibility and Iowa residence requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience.
• Experience with post-award financial management of grants, including budget projections.
• Experience in higher education/institutional setting.
• Experience working remotely.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Excel, and Teams.
• Experience with Workday Financial Management.

Responsibilities

• Researches and understands any special conditions attached to awards in the portfolio.
• Monitors financial activity for an award portfolio, including overspends and cost sharing, to ensure compliance.
• Maintains working knowledge of applicable regulations, policies, and sponsor/university requirements.
• Recommends and processes accounting adjustments to resolve non-compliance or funding issues.
• Documents cost-share expenditures and processes effort reporting for Federal/Federal Flow Through awards.
• Assists in budget revisions, no-cost extensions, and supplemental award line requests.
• Provides and reviews sponsored funding financial reports.
• Collaborates with team members and departmental customers to provide exceptional customer service.
• Works with colleagues to resolve complex or unique situations, escalating to leadership when necessary.

Skills

Post-award financial management

Budget projections

Remote work experience

Education

Bachelor's degree (business-related)

Master's degree (business-related)

Tools

Workday Financial Management

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Teams)

Job description

## Grants Finance SpecialistApply: Remote - Iowa: Full time: Posted Today: R20096## Position Title:Grants Finance Specialist## Job Group:Professional & Scientific## Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience## Job Description:Iowa State University's Finance Service Delivery team is accepting applications for a Grants Finance Specialist (Grants Specialist II) to support the College of Business, College of Design, Graduate College, along with University administrative, Student Support, and other operational units in post-award activities related to grants.**Example of Duties*** Researches and understands any special conditions associated with the awards in a portfolio* Monitors financial activity for an award portfolio, including overspends, cost sharing, and unallowable expenses, throughout the award lifecycle to ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and university policies* Maintains working knowledge of applicable regulations, policies, and protocols regarding sponsor and university requirements* Recommends and processes accounting adjustments to award expenditures to resolve issues of non-compliance or lack of funds* Documents cost-share expenditures* Processes effort reporting and adjustments for all Federal/Federal Flow Through awards* Assists in budget revisions, no-cost extensions, and supplemental award line requests* Provides and reviews sponsored funding financial reports* Collaborates with team members and departmental customers to provide exceptional customer service* Works closely with team members and departmental customers to resolve complex or unique situations, escalating to leadership if necessary **Preferred Qualifications:*** Bachelor's or master's degree in a business-related field of study* Experience with post-award financial management of grants, including the development of budget projections* Experience in higher education/institutional setting* Experience working remotely* Experience with Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Excel, and Teams* Experience with Workday Financial Management For more information about Finance Service Delivery, please visit:Finance - Division of Operations and Finance This position offers the opportunity for hybrid work but does require the employee to reside in the state of Iowa on or before the start of employment.Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. **Application Instructions:** To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:* Resume/Curriculum Vitae* Letter of Application/Cover Letter **Why Choose Iowa State University?** Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:* Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans* Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans* Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)* Life insurance and long-term disability* Flexible Spending Accounts* Various voluntary benefits and discounts* Employee Assistance Program* Wellbeing program* Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.## Appointment Type:Regular## Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period## Time Type:Full time## Pay Grade:PS808## Original Posting Date:October 19, 2026## Posting Close Date:October 28, 2026## Job Requisition Number:R20096Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail] ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub.