Grants Financial Administrator Assistant

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Grants Financial Administrator Assistant in Lexington, KY, to support Research Financial Services. You will handle external financial reporting, invoicing, and compliance for sponsored projects, collaborating with faculty and departments.

Responsibilities include reviewing expenses, interpreting award terms, and maintaining grant data within SAP, ensuring accurate reporting and audit readiness. A BA and 2+ years in grant management are preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and independent judgment in complex financial situations.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to interpret financial regulations, sponsor requirements, and university policies.
• Experience with financial systems, reporting tools, and data management processes.
• Strong problem-solving and research skills for compliance.
• Effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of sponsored project administration and compliance principles.
• Minimum 2 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and complete external financial reporting and invoicing for sponsored projects.
• Review project expenses, budgets, payments, and financial activity for compliance.
• Analyze and interpret award documents, cost sharing, and cost requirements.
• Research and correct data integrity issues while maintaining SAP master data.
• Monitor expected award accounts and assess risks to maintain compliance.
• Maintain electronic audit trails and supporting documentation for reports.
• Serve as liaison between sponsors, PIs, and departments with financial guidance.
• Review and process journal vouchers ensuring policy compliance.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Attention to detail

Interpret regulations

Financial systems experience

Problem solving

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Sponsored project administration

Team collaboration

Education

BA

Tools

SAP

Tableau

MS Excel

Job description

Grants Financial Administrator Assistant

Job Title Grants Financial Administrator Assistant

Requisition Number

Requisition Number RE55908

Working Title

Department Name

Department Name 3A600:Research Financial Services

Work Location

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 44

Salary Range

Salary Range $44,678-71,469/year

Type of Position

Type of Position Staff

Position Time Status

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education

BA

Click here for more information about equivalencies:

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Requires handling of light-weight objects up to 10 pounds, or some standing or walking.

Shift

Monday – Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm. (40 hours/week).

Support Research Compliance and Financial Stewardship Across Sponsored Projects

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Grants Financial Administrator Assistant to join Research Financial Services.

Research Financial Services plays a vital role in supporting the university’s research mission by overseeing the financial reporting and compliance requirements of externally sponsored projects. This position helps ensure accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and effective stewardship of sponsored funds while serving as a key resource for faculty, department personnel, and sponsoring agencies.

What You’ll Do

• Prepare and complete external financial reporting and invoicing for sponsored projects, including grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other award types.
• Review project expenses, budgets, payments, and financial activity to identify concerns, resolve issues, and ensure compliance with sponsor, federal, and university requirements.
• Analyze and interpret award documents, cost share commitments, cost accounting standards, and direct and indirect cost requirements to support accurate financial management.
• Research, identify, and correct data integrity issues while maintaining grant master data and award documentation within SAP .
• Monitor expected award accounts, evaluate associated risks, and determine appropriate actions to maintain compliance and reporting accuracy.
• Maintain electronic audit trails and supporting documentation for financial reports, correspondence, and award-related decisions.
• Serve as a liaison between sponsors, principal investigators, and departmental personnel by providing financial guidance, reporting support, and issue resolution.
• Review and process journal vouchers while ensuring compliance with applicable policies and award requirements.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to exercise independent judgment in complex financial situations.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and quality of work.
• Ability to interpret financial regulations, sponsor requirements, and university policies.
• Experience working with financial systems, reporting tools, and data management processes.
• Strong problem-solving and research skills with the ability to identify and resolve compliance concerns.
• Effective communication and customer service skills when working with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of sponsored project administration, financial reporting, and compliance principles.
• 2 years of related experience

What’s In It for You

• Opportunity to support the financial administration and compliance of a growing research portfolio.
• Exposure to a variety of sponsored funding mechanisms, financial reporting requirements, and regulatory frameworks.
• Collaborative environment that supports professional growth and continuous learning in research administration and financial management.

Why Now?

As research activity continues to expand, effective financial oversight of externally sponsored projects is critical to maintaining compliance with sponsor, federal, and university requirements.

This role helps ensure the accurate reporting, invoicing, and stewardship of research funds while providing timely guidance and support that enables faculty and departments to successfully manage sponsored awards and advance the university’s research mission.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

• SAP
• Tableau
• MS Excel
• MS Windows
• MS Word
• Outlook
• Communication and Organization skills
• Grant knowledge
• Independence
• Judgment
• Teamwork
• Time Management
• Financial Reporting and Analysis

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

No

Preferred Education/Experience

Bachelor’s degree plus two or more years in grant management, financial analysis, teamwork, compliance to policy and procedure preferred.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 10/06/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.