Edtech.com's Summary

Arizona State University is hiring a Financial Specialist, Sr. This position involves managing post-award financial activities for sponsored projects at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, including oversight of grants, contracts, budgeting, forecasting, and supervising a post-award team supporting faculty. The role requires application of federal regulations, financial systems expertise, and collaboration with multiple units to ensure compliance and support faculty financial decision-making.

Highlights

Manage post-award financial activities: award setup, budget allocation, expenditure monitoring, reconciliations.
Prepare, review, and revise budgets including justifications and multi-year planning.
Submit accurate sponsor financial reports and invoices compliant with award terms.
Monitor expenditures for allowability, allocability, and consistency; implement corrective actions.
Review and approve financial transactions such as cost transfers and payroll allocations.
Manage cost share commitments with tracking, documentation, and compliance.
Provide financial forecasting and portfolio analysis to support faculty decisions.
Lead award closeout processes ensuring timely reconciliations and compliance documentation.
Knowledge of sponsored program financial management, Uniform Guidance, federal regulations, institutional financial and eRA systems.
Minimum qualifications: Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience or equivalent training; strong communication, organization, and supervisory skills.
Salary range $50,823 - $63,000 per year, depending on experience.
Supervises post-award team responsible for managing sponsored research projects and faculty discretionary accounts.
Works within the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, engaging with faculty advancing global impact research.

Financial Specialist, Sr. Full Description

Job Profile:Financial Analyst 2

Job Family:Budget, Planning and Financial Analysis

Time Type:Full time

Max Pay - Depends on experience:$63,000.00 USD Annual

Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Profile Summary:
Performs routine and operational financial analysis, reporting, and systems development in support of other financial activities within the institution. Performs commitment analysis, variance analysis (actual vs budget); revenue and expense projections/forecasts. May have interactions outside department, as functionally required.

Job Description:

Max Pay - Depends on Experience:

$63,000 USD Annual

Salary Range: $50,823 - $63,000 per year; DOE

Candidates interested in a career with a focus on Research Advancement financials are invited to apply to join the team at ASU's School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE) within the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering (FSE).

Members of the Research Advancement Team are responsible for providing financial oversight of grants and contracts while working closely with faculty who are making impactful advances in solving today's global issues. Individuals who understand the principles of financial practices, possess excellent customer service skills, and value continuous improvement are desired. In addition to providing financial support to faculty, this position will supervise the post-award team that are responsible for managing sponsored research projects and faculty discretionary accounts.

This is a mid-career track position (Level 3 of 7) reporting to the SSEBE Assistant Director Research Advancement with opportunities to increase complexity based on job performance, as well as growth into multiple branches of specialization or supervisory tracks.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of sponsored program financial management, including post-award administration, budgeting, forecasting, cost share requirements, and F&A principles.
Strong understanding of federal regulations and sponsor requirements, including Uniform Guidance, audit standards, and agency-specific terms and conditions.
Knowledge of institutional financial systems and eRA systems, including budgeting tools, accounting platforms, and reporting systems.
Skill in analyzing complex financial data, identifying discrepancies, and applying corrective actions.
Ability to apply allowability, allocability, and reasonableness standards to sponsored project expenditures.
Ability to prepare accurate and compliant financial reports, invoices, and reconciliations under strict deadlines.
Skill in interpreting sponsor guidelines and translating them into operational steps for faculty and staff.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
Excellent communication and customer service skills, including the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial audiences.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, central offices, and external sponsors.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating sound judgment and high attention to detail.

Essential Duties

Manage all post-award financial activities for sponsored projects, including award setup, budget allocation, expenditure monitoring, and monthly account reconciliations.
Prepare, review, and revise project budgets, including budget justifications, re-budgets, and multi-year financial planning.
Prepare and submit sponsor financial reports and invoices, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with award terms.
Monitor expenditures for allowability, allocability, and consistency, identifying issues and implementing corrective actions.
Review and approve financial transactions, such as cost transfers, payroll allocations, journal entries, procurement, and subaward invoices.
Manage cost share commitments, including tracking, documentation, reporting, and ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
Provide financial forecasting and portfolio analysis (burn rates, projections, variance analysis) to support faculty decision-making.
Lead award closeout processes, ensuring timely final reconciliations, final reports, and compliance documentation.
Collaborate with pre-award, compliance, departmental, and central finance units to ensure accuracy and consistency across the award lifecycle.
Serve as a financial resource to faculty and staff, providing guidance on sponsored project financial policies, procedures, and best practices.

Desired Qualifications

Experience in research administration, particularly post-award financial management.
Demonstrated experience managing cost share commitments, tracking, documentation, and reporting.
Experience interpreting and applying Uniform Guidance, federal agency terms, and audit requirements.
Advanced skill in budget development, multi-year financial planning, and scenario modeling.
Experience managing complex sponsored project portfolios with multiple funding sources.
Proficiency with institutional financial systems, eRA platforms, and automated reporting tools.
Strong analytical skills, including financial forecasting and variance analysis.
Experience with effort reporting, payroll certification, and related compliance requirements.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, researchers, and cross-functional administrative units.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly.
Experience working in environments with competing deadlines, sensitive information, and frequent priority changes.

Working Environment

HYBRID; Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse (75%); required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work (10%). Infrequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds (5%). Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities, which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts. Must be able to communicate effectively, comprehend information, and perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.; Regular use of standard office equipment including, but not limited to: computer workstation/laptop (keyboard, monitor, mouse), printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone and associated computer/technology peripherals.; Supervises designated employees that include hiring, training, evaluations, disciplinary actions and scheduling and time approvals.

FSE Department Statement:

At the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, we are delivering a world-class learning experience for our students and advancing research and innovation — all at scale. The Fulton Schools research enterprise leads use-inspired research and key national initiatives, including the Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub, accelerating microelectronics and workforce development for the Department of Defense. We also lead the Electrified Processes for Industry Without Carbon Clean Energy Manufacturing Institute, supported by the Department of Energy, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and strengthen manufacturing. As the lead institution for the Center for Accelerating Operational Efficiency, we enhance homeland security operations through advanced tools and technologies. Additionally, we lead an NSF Engineering Research Center developing sustainable civil infrastructure and partner with another ERC advancing clean water technology.

The Fulton Schools hosts numerous research centers that leverage faculty expertise to drive engineering innovation and entrepreneurship across four interdisciplinary impact areas: Climate Technology Solutions, Competitive Manufacturing in an Advanced Economy, National and Economic Security, and Technology-Enhanced Health and Medicine. Our faculty are achieving excellence at scale, positioning the Fulton Schools among the nation's top engineering colleges for invention disclosures, U.S. patents, and startups.

We are an engineering school on the rise at the nation's most innovative university, situated in the heart of its fastest-growing metropolitan area. The breadth of our faculty's research interests and interdisciplinary approach, along with over 50 graduate and 27 undergraduate degree programs, creates a strong foundation for collaboration and the advancement of ideas that contribute to a more sustainable and livable global future.

The Fulton Schools of Engineering follows a framework of values designed to distinguish our practice and guide daily decisions in our academic, research, corporate engagement and entrepreneurial endeavors. These values influence how we recognize, reward and communicate our achievements. At the Fulton Schools of Engineering, we:

Cultivate excellence.
Deliver innovation that matters.
Encourage bold thinking.
Foster a community of learning and collaboration.
Build a foundation for all to be successful.

Working at ASU has outstanding benefits that include: health, dental and vision insurance plans; ASU/UA/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; state and optional retirement plans; access to ASU recreation and cultural activities, and more. To estimate the value of your total compensation, please visit https://cfo.asu.edu/compensation-estimator.

Driving Requirement:Driving is not required for this position.

Location:Campus: Tempe

Funding:No Federal Funding

Instructions to Apply:

Current Employees and Students should apply directly within Workdayusing the Jobs Hub. Use this link and log in using SSO:

https://www.myworkday.com/asu/d/inst/1$9925/9925$15212.htmld

To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments:

Cover letter
Resume/CV

Note: Multiple documents can be submitted into the attachment box. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position. Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position. NOTE: GA and Intern positions are counted as .5 for job experience (ie. 1 year equals 6 months experience equivalency). Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

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ASU Statement:

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance - For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.

Employment Verification Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement:This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.

Original Job Description