Strategic Director, Service Center Rate & Compliance

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 89,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas seeks an Associate Director for Rate Analysis & Compliance to lead service center rate setting and compliance functions. You will supervise staff calculating, reviewing, and monitoring rates to ensure compliance with federal regulations, university policy, and cost recovery principles.

You will serve as the subject-matter expert on rate methodology, breakeven analysis, and Uniform Guidance, partnering with academic and administrative units to ensure financial

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field plus 3 years progressive professional experience in financial analysis, accounting, or cost analysis, including service centers, recharge centers, or cost-recovery operations; OR a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field plus 5 years progressive professional experience in financial analysis, accounting, or cost analysis, including service centers, recharge centers, or cost-recovery operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and federal cost principles as evidenced by application materials.
• Two (2) years experience as lead worker and supervisory experience in a professional financial environment.

Responsibilities

• Direct the development, review, and approval of service center and core lab rate models.
• Ensure rates are based on allowable costs only and operate on a break-even basis over time.
• Oversee treatment of prior year surpluses and deficits and ensure appropriate rate adjustments per 2 CFR §200.468 and University policy.
• Establish and maintain standardized tools, templates, rate-setting guides, and submission checklists for consistent rate development across centers.
• Approve or recommend approval of service rate proposals and/or renewals.
• Determine appropriate corrective actions for non-compliant or financially unstable service centers.
• Analyze trends in service center performance, fund balances, and rate stability; identify emerging risks.
• Provide strategic financial guidance on new service center or core lab proposals, rate changes, and operational risks.
• Interpret federal, state, and University policy (2 CFR Part 200, CAS, and related OMB guidance) and translate requirements into procedures.
• Maintain knowledge of changes to federal cost principles, audit guidance, and higher education rate-setting practices.
• Build relationships with center managers, department leadership, and central finance; advise on costing methodologies and pricing structures.
• Deliver training on rate-setting, cost accounting standards, and compliance requirements.
• Monitor portfolios for compliance with billing requirements, fund balance thresholds, and rate approval timelines; support audits.
• Lead supervision of professional staff, set priorities, and ensure consistent application of rate methodologies.

Skills

Financial analysis

Supervisory experience

Strategic leadership

Education

Master's degree in Accounting / Finance / Business Administration

Bachelor's degree in Accounting / Finance / Business Administration

Tools

Excel

ERP systems (PeopleSoft/Workday)

Costing models

Job description

The University of Kansas seeks an Associate Director for Rate Analysis & Compliance to lead service center rate setting and compliance functions. You will supervise staff calculating, reviewing, and monitoring rates to ensure compliance with federal regulations, university policy, and cost recovery principles.

You will serve as the subject-matter expert on rate methodology, breakeven analysis, and Uniform Guidance, partnering with academic and administrative units to ensure financial