Sponsored Project Financial Specialist

University of Colorado System; Aurora (CO); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Colorado Anschutz in Colorado is seeking a Sponsored Project Financial Specialist to manage awards, invoicing, and financial reporting for sponsored projects. The role emphasizes accuracy in financial data, timely reporting, and strong collaboration with departments and sponsors.

The position involves processes from award setup to closeout, including cost transfers, subcontract reviews, and regular stakeholder communication, with a hybrid on-campus schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public health, public administration, finance, accounting, business administration, or a directly related field.
• At least one year of professional grants, contracts, finance, expense/federal reporting or related experience.
• Substitution: a combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree.
• Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Review awards terms, billing, reporting and set up in PeopleSoft Grants system.
• Prepare and submit financial reports by sponsor deadlines.
• Monitor project budgets, indirect cost rates, and compliance.
• Perform award closeouts and revenue reconciliation.
• Review and approve cost transfers and subcontracts.
• Maintain regular communication with sponsors and departments.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Customer service skills

Time management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in public health/administration/finance/business

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: Office of Grants & Contracts, FinancialServices

Job Title: Sponsored Project Financial Specialist

Position #: 00786631 – Requisition #:40826

Job Summary:

The Office of Grants and Contracts (OGC) is responsible for thecentral administration of research awards and provides service toprincipal research investigators and administrators for the purposeof obtaining and administering extramural funds in compliance withuniversity and sponsor guidelines. University of Colorado has alarge portfolio of sponsored research with great variety, includingFederal NIH grants, Federal NSF grants, many other Federal grants,Federal contracts, State grants, State contracts, private industryclinical trials, association grants and much more.

We are looking for someone with…

• positive energy, motivation, vision, and a desire forcontinuous learning
• a strategic mind-set and forward-thinking
• a belief that strong relationships are key to success
• a can-do attitude
• a focus on providing solutions based on the requirements andnecessary outcomes of those whom we serve

Key Responsibilities:

Sponsored Projects Award Modifications and Setup (15%)

• Review all awards for terms and conditions, billing, andpayment information, reporting requirements, and any other providedinformation to perform the setup of the award in the PeoplesoftGrants system.
• Communicate with Sponsor if F&A rate or dollars have notbeen applied correctly.

Award Invoicing/Billing (10%)

• Complete monthly and quarterly billing of contracts to createaccount receivables. Work with sponsors and departments for allinvoicing concerns, questions, and actions.
• Submit invoices to sponsors according to award/contractrequirements.

Financial Reporting Creation & Submission (15%)

• Prepare and submit financial reports by the due date includingFederal Financial Status Reports and non-Federal Reports ofExpenditure based upon sponsor deadlines.
• Perform tasks necessary to determine if changes are needed tobring the project into compliance with the applicable requirementfrom the sponsor.

Financial Management of Awards/Projects (10%)

• Monitor project budgets, indirect cost rates and charges,overspending, fiscal and sponsor compliance.
• Use of the grants WorkCentre and other provided tools toproperly monitor portfolio. This includes analyzing the tools toensure that needed information is provided. If tools are lacking,this should be communicated to leadership for improvementopportunities and changes.

Award Closeouts (15%)

• Perform close-out, deliverables are met, cash is equal to zero,outstanding encumbrances are cleared, cash transfers to departmentaccounts are completed and revenue reconciliation is complete.
• Monitor projects throughout the life at least quarterly toensures that revenues are applied correctly in PeopleSoft byreconciling the accounts receivable and revenue recognitionprocesses.

Sponsored Projects Cost Transfers Review and Approval(20%)

• Monitor the reallocation of expense approvals for compliancewith various policies.
• Apply documentation to explain errors and to supporttransactions for review.

Sponsored Projects Subcontract Review and Approval(15%)

• Investigate all sub-award agreements for the budget period andanalyze the language of the contract to determine if carry forwardis allowed.
• Ensure changes are not required for the partially executedcontract. If an error is found, communicate information back to thecontracts team for further review and changes.

Customer Service (ongoing)

• Conduct regular meetings with departments and respond timelyand professionally to emails and phone calls from sponsors,principal investigators, department administrators and other OGCunits.

Senior Professional Key Responsibilities:

In addition to theduties above, appointments at this level will join processimprovement working groups with internal and externalparties.

Work Location:

This role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of a minimum of 2 daysper week on campus and additional days on campus as needed fortraining, in-person meetings or during peak times.

Why Join Us:

This exciting opportunity gives you the chance to:

• Participate in professional development opportunities to growyour career.
• Build relationships with other departmental staff, focused onunderstanding needs along with opportunities for improvingprocesses.
• Partner with other financial staff in developing key financialperformance tools and share them with departmentalstakeholders.
• Become part of a department where inclusiveness and culture arevalued.
• If interested, you can earn a master's degree at a greatlyreduced rate through our Employee Tuition Assistance Benefitprogram.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday,vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers anexcellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your grosspay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on allCU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in public health, public administration,social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare,public administration, finance, accounting, businessadministration, business, or a directly related field from anaccredited institution.
• At least one (1) year of professional grants, contracts,finance, expense/federal reporting or related experience.

Substitution: A combination of education and relatedtechnical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for thebachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.

Senior Level

• A bachelor's degree in public health, public administration,social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare,public administration, finance, accounting, businessadministration, business, or a directly related field from anaccredited institution.
• At least two (2) years of professional grants, contracts,finance, expense/federal reporting or related experience.

Substitution: A combination of education and relatedtechnical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for thebachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time ofhire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the administration of sponsored research or othercentral research-related office in higher educational institution,government, or other entity engaged in sponsored research.
• General accounting and/or financial experience.
• Experience with process documentation and processimprovement.

Conditions of Employment:

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing andorally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationshipswith employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Strong, interpersonal, teamwork and customer serviceskills.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite applications(Excel, Access, and Word)
• Excellent time and workflow management skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills.

Questions should be directed to: Sean McBride – [e-mail]

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, butpreference will be given to complete applications received bySeptember 1st, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or maynot be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range for this position has been establishedas:

• Intermediate Level: $55,000 - $66,541
• Senior Level: $60,000 - $71,936

The above salary range represents the University's good faith andreasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at thetime of posting. This position may be eligible for overtimecompensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck.The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plansand retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total CompensationCalculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

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

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicantswith disabilities throughout the employment application process. Torequest an accommodation pursuant to the Americans withDisabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADACoordinator at [e-mail].

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safeand secure environment for our faculty, staff, students andvisitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct backgroundinvestigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19virus and other vaccine preventable diseases . If you work, visit, or volunteerin healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliatedhospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will berequired to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillancepolicies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, orvolunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certainresearch areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, youmust enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program .