Sponsored Programs Finance Lead

University of Maine; Farmington (ME); On-site; USD 54,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waiver programs

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Job summary

The University of Maine at Farmington seeks a Grants and Contracts Manager to provide financial leadership, compliance oversight, and stewardship for UMF’s sponsored programs portfolio.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the role manages the financial lifecycle of about $14 million in externally funded grants and contracts, from proposal development and award setup through administration, reporting, audits, and closeout.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional experience in grants administration, sponsored programs, accounting, finance, or a related financial field.
• Experience administering grants or contracts, including post‑award financial management and compliance with sponsor requirements.
• Working knowledge of budgeting, accounting, internal controls, and financial reporting within a complex organization.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and financial reporting tools, including formulas, queries, pivot tables, data validation, reconciliations, and financial modeling.

Responsibilities

• Direct the financial administration of UMF’s grants and contracts through the full award lifecycle, including proposal budgets, award setup, amendments, invoicing, reporting, audits, and closeout.
• Partner with principal investigators, project leaders, department budget managers, sponsors, auditors, and University System offices to guide and support successful project outcomes.
• Provide guidance on Uniform Guidance, allowable costs, sponsor requirements, University policies, procurement, payroll, subawards, record retention, and related compliance matters.
• Analyze proposals and risk indicators and develop actionable recommendations for University leadership, principal investigators, and budget managers.
• Evaluate grants management processes and financial systems and lead improvements that strengthen controls, improve data quality, reduce manual work, and increase efficiency.
• Develop training, tools, and guidance to strengthen grants management practices and help faculty and staff administer sponsored funding.

Skills

Grant administration

Financial leadership

Compliance oversight

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or related field

Tools

PeopleSoft Financials

Concur

Grants management systems

Job description

The University of Maine at Farmington seeks a Grants and Contracts Manager to provide financial leadership, compliance oversight, and stewardship for UMF’s sponsored programs portfolio.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the role manages the financial lifecycle of about $14 million in externally funded grants and contracts, from proposal development and award setup through administration, reporting, audits, and closeout.