Illinois Institute of Technology
Director of Grants & Contracts Accounting
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🕑 Full-Time
💰 TBD
💻 Finance
🗓️ May 30th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
Illinois Institute of Technology is hiring a Director of Grants & Contracts Accounting. The role involves managing the post-award accounting activities, including compliance, training, and risk management, while fostering a culture of excellence in customer service. The Director will lead the department, implement policies, oversee daily operations, and support strategic initiatives.
Highlights
Highlights
- Oversee post-award accounting for grants and contracts.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and financial systems required.
- Management and leadership in grant accounting.
- Requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; 10+ years of experience.
- Compensation benchmark set at $120,000.
- Supervisory and budget authority responsibilities.
- Extensive knowledge of Uniform Guidance and federal agency requirements.
- Maintain communication with internal and external partners.
- Guide research administrators and support strategic planning.
Director of Grants & Contracts Accounting Full Description
Director of Grants & Contracts Accounting
Position Title | Director of Grants & Contracts Accounting
Requisition # | S01425P
FLSA | Exempt
Location | IIT-Mies Campus (MC), 10 West 35th St., Chicago
Department | Grant and Contract Accounting
GENERAL DESCRIPTION | The Director, Grants and Contracts Accounting will oversee the Grant and Contract Accounting department providing leadership and direction on post-award sponsored accounting, billing, reporting, and compliance. The Director will assume the lead role in promoting a culture of excellence with a focus on providing exemplary customer service to faculty and other key stakeholders.
The Director is responsible for managing risk to the institution by monitoring compliance with federal and non-federal policies, regulations and laws applicable to post-award grant and contract accounting activity as well as general accounting policies and procedures. This includes establishing and promoting a culture of strong ethics, providing relevant training to the campus community, and providing guidance to staff, principal investigators, and leadership on complex issues.
The Director is responsible for managing day to day operations. Functions of the department include reporting, monitoring, billing, cash management, audit, and grant setup and closeout. The Director is also responsible for recommending enhancements that expand service to faculty, increase efficiency of processes, and improve staff effectiveness. Department leadership activities will include strategic planning, developing and implementing policies and procedures, designing ongoing training, and providing guidance and expertise in the hiring and development of research administrators and accountants. The Director will serve as the lead contact with university partners and senior administration on post-award accounting. You will thrive in this position if you are customer service minded, value collaboration, are an excellent communicator, and have high ethical standards. You must be able to participate in change processes, and be dedicated to continual learning and improvement. All staff members are responsible for directly supporting the strategic plan and the mission and vision of the division, as well as contributing to a process of continuous improvement, innovation, and stewardship of Illinois Tech resources.
Benefits | Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive benefits package located here: https://www.iit.edu/hr/benefits
COMMUNICATIONS | This position requires exceptional written and verbal communication skills to clearly communicate with internal and external partners, including faculty, staff, sponsors, and students. This includes establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with demographically and globally diverse populations. Must be able to work with spreadsheets and databases as related to communicating plans and outcomes (e.g.: collection and analysis of information and creation of reports).
This position requires proactive communications. The Director will speak and report on behalf of the department to others at the university and externally. The Director will work with university leadership to define the broader strategic direction for the department as it relates to the university’s strategic plans, and then communicate this with staff and other key stakeholders.
CUSTOMER SERVICE | Superior client service orientation, including follow-up and attention to detail in correspondence; must place high value on providing exemplary customer service. Ability to understand and articulate needs and expectations of university and department in order to best steward relationships.
Excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism to interact with a wide range of people at different levels of an organization, verbally and in writing.
The ideal candidate will be able to foster positive relations with faculty and other administrators and officers and productively and effectively provide guidance to faculty researchers and grant administrators. Must actively foster commitment to customer service among Research Administration Services Department staff.
Special Schedule Requirements |
EEOC Statement | Illinois Institute of Technology is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, inclusion and diversity. It is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and actively seeks applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities regardless of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, age, unfavorable discharge from the military, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation including gender identity and expression, order of protection status, and/or genetic information. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.
Requisition # | S01425P
FLSA | Exempt
Location | IIT-Mies Campus (MC), 10 West 35th St., Chicago
Department | Grant and Contract Accounting
GENERAL DESCRIPTION | The Director, Grants and Contracts Accounting will oversee the Grant and Contract Accounting department providing leadership and direction on post-award sponsored accounting, billing, reporting, and compliance. The Director will assume the lead role in promoting a culture of excellence with a focus on providing exemplary customer service to faculty and other key stakeholders.
The Director is responsible for managing risk to the institution by monitoring compliance with federal and non-federal policies, regulations and laws applicable to post-award grant and contract accounting activity as well as general accounting policies and procedures. This includes establishing and promoting a culture of strong ethics, providing relevant training to the campus community, and providing guidance to staff, principal investigators, and leadership on complex issues.
The Director is responsible for managing day to day operations. Functions of the department include reporting, monitoring, billing, cash management, audit, and grant setup and closeout. The Director is also responsible for recommending enhancements that expand service to faculty, increase efficiency of processes, and improve staff effectiveness. Department leadership activities will include strategic planning, developing and implementing policies and procedures, designing ongoing training, and providing guidance and expertise in the hiring and development of research administrators and accountants. The Director will serve as the lead contact with university partners and senior administration on post-award accounting. You will thrive in this position if you are customer service minded, value collaboration, are an excellent communicator, and have high ethical standards. You must be able to participate in change processes, and be dedicated to continual learning and improvement. All staff members are responsible for directly supporting the strategic plan and the mission and vision of the division, as well as contributing to a process of continuous improvement, innovation, and stewardship of Illinois Tech resources.
Benefits | Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive benefits package located here: https://www.iit.edu/hr/benefits
COMMUNICATIONS | This position requires exceptional written and verbal communication skills to clearly communicate with internal and external partners, including faculty, staff, sponsors, and students. This includes establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with demographically and globally diverse populations. Must be able to work with spreadsheets and databases as related to communicating plans and outcomes (e.g.: collection and analysis of information and creation of reports).
This position requires proactive communications. The Director will speak and report on behalf of the department to others at the university and externally. The Director will work with university leadership to define the broader strategic direction for the department as it relates to the university’s strategic plans, and then communicate this with staff and other key stakeholders.
CUSTOMER SERVICE | Superior client service orientation, including follow-up and attention to detail in correspondence; must place high value on providing exemplary customer service. Ability to understand and articulate needs and expectations of university and department in order to best steward relationships.
Excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism to interact with a wide range of people at different levels of an organization, verbally and in writing.
The ideal candidate will be able to foster positive relations with faculty and other administrators and officers and productively and effectively provide guidance to faculty researchers and grant administrators. Must actively foster commitment to customer service among Research Administration Services Department staff.
Special Schedule Requirements |
EEOC Statement | Illinois Institute of Technology is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, inclusion and diversity. It is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and actively seeks applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities regardless of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, age, unfavorable discharge from the military, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation including gender identity and expression, order of protection status, and/or genetic information. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.
Qualifications
Education & Experience | Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance or related field. MBA or MSA preferred. 10 or more years of post-award experience. Supervision and management experience required Specific work experience in research administration services strongly preferred
Knowledge & Skills | Extensive knowledge of Uniform Guidance Experience working with?DHHS,?NSF,?DOE?and other federal agencies. Basic knowledge of accounting terms Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and accounting and financial systems required Demonstrated ability to write well at a professional level Proven management and leadership skills Excellent verbal communication skills
Highly flexible and adaptable Ability to manage multiple, large-scale, projects and deadlines simultaneously
SUPERVISION & BUDGET AUTHORITY | Oversees 2-3 full-time staff
Full budget authority of grant and Contract Accounting
Physical Environment and Requirements | Office Environment
Knowledge & Skills | Extensive knowledge of Uniform Guidance Experience working with?DHHS,?NSF,?DOE?and other federal agencies. Basic knowledge of accounting terms Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and accounting and financial systems required Demonstrated ability to write well at a professional level Proven management and leadership skills Excellent verbal communication skills
Highly flexible and adaptable Ability to manage multiple, large-scale, projects and deadlines simultaneously
SUPERVISION & BUDGET AUTHORITY | Oversees 2-3 full-time staff
Full budget authority of grant and Contract Accounting
Physical Environment and Requirements | Office Environment
Certifications and Licenses
List any certifications or licenses that are either required or helpful in performing the job, designating whether required or preferred. | CRA or similar certification through the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC)
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibility | Directs and leads the university’s post-award administration of federal and non-federal grants and contracts and supervises the grant accounting team to ensure high-quality customer service to faculty, and compliance with federal and non-federal regulations. Provides vision, sets expectations, and mentors team to work with shared purpose. Conducts performance reviews, manages performance and participates in goal setting for individual team members and the department.
Percentage Of Time | 20Key Responsibility | Oversees creation of reports as needed. Support post-award administration including assisting with hiring, purchasing, reallocations, and cost transfers.
Percentage Of Time | 20Key Responsibility | Oversees billing for all grants and contracts, reconciling and approving all letter of credit drawdown accounts to reports of allowable expenses, cash collections and grant cash projections. Assumes direct responsibility for billing and reporting requirements for the more complex grants and contracts. Oversees internal service center rates and principal investigator annual incentive awards. Assumes direct responsibility for sub-recipient monitoring which includes the submission of the annual Audit Certification Financial Questionnaires.
Percentage Of Time | 20Key Responsibility | Provide training and support to personnel on topics that cover the breadth of post award accounting. Support faculty and college personnel in management role
Percentage Of Time | 20Key Responsibility | Oversees the creation and maintenance of training materials and training courses for departmental staff.
Percentage Of Time | 10Key Responsibility | Coordinates the A-133 audit process and other grant audits including the preparation and supervision of work papers, reviewing with the external auditors, and follow-up questions on issues. Assumes direct responsibility for the Annual Consolidated Year-End Financial Report (CYEFR) required by the State of Illinois.
Percentage Of Time | 10
Percentage Of Time | 20Key Responsibility | Oversees creation of reports as needed. Support post-award administration including assisting with hiring, purchasing, reallocations, and cost transfers.
Percentage Of Time | 20Key Responsibility | Oversees billing for all grants and contracts, reconciling and approving all letter of credit drawdown accounts to reports of allowable expenses, cash collections and grant cash projections. Assumes direct responsibility for billing and reporting requirements for the more complex grants and contracts. Oversees internal service center rates and principal investigator annual incentive awards. Assumes direct responsibility for sub-recipient monitoring which includes the submission of the annual Audit Certification Financial Questionnaires.
Percentage Of Time | 20Key Responsibility | Provide training and support to personnel on topics that cover the breadth of post award accounting. Support faculty and college personnel in management role
Percentage Of Time | 20Key Responsibility | Oversees the creation and maintenance of training materials and training courses for departmental staff.
Percentage Of Time | 10Key Responsibility | Coordinates the A-133 audit process and other grant audits including the preparation and supervision of work papers, reviewing with the external auditors, and follow-up questions on issues. Assumes direct responsibility for the Annual Consolidated Year-End Financial Report (CYEFR) required by the State of Illinois.
Percentage Of Time | 10
Posting Information
Work Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Position Category | Full Time
Posting Date | 01/13/2025
Closing Date |
Posted Until Filled | Yes
Quicklink for Posting | https://iit7.peopleadmin.com/postings/11090
Position Category | Full Time
Posting Date | 01/13/2025
Closing Date |
Posted Until Filled | Yes
Quicklink for Posting | https://iit7.peopleadmin.com/postings/11090
Budget Information
Budget Amount
Benchmark Amount | 120,000
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
- Resume
Optional Documents
- Cover Letter
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