Grants and Financial Analyst

Job Summary:

The Grants and Financial Analyst provides comprehensive pre- and post-award support for research and sponsored projects within the Burnett School of Medicine Research Affairs. This position manages aspects of grant administration, including assisting proposal development, budget preparation, regulatory compliance, and submission to sponsors. Post-award responsibilities include account reconciliation, financial reporting, budget monitoring, and oversight of funding portfolios to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor policies. The analyst will also oversee subaward agreements, process financial transactions, and develop tools to forecast and resolve budgetary issues. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and efficiency of the school’s research and grants management operations.  This position is grant funded and contingent upon ongoing funding. 

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

Pre-Award Responsibilities
1. Leads the development and management of pre-award processes and resources, including procedures, templates, and tracking systems, to ensure efficient and compliant proposal preparation and submission.
2. Researches, interprets, and applies complex federal, state, and institutional regulations and sponsor guidelines to provide oversight and guidance throughout the contract and grant development process.
3. Oversees comprehensive tracking and reporting of grant and contract activity, maintaining accurate databases and generating timely analyses to inform decision-making.
4. Collaborates with faculty and research teams to design proposal budgets and assemble administrative forms to compile complete, competitive submission packages
5. Conducts detailed reviews of proposals and agreements for accuracy, compliance with institutional and sponsor policies, conflict of interest requirements, and appropriateness of terms and provisions.
6. Serves as a resource for Principal Investigators and research staff, providing training and assistance with federal submission systems such as eRA Commons, Grants.gov, and NIH ASSIST.

Post Award Responsibilities
7. Oversees financial management of grants and contracts, monitoring budgets, reconciling accounts, and ensuring fiscal compliance through timely reporting, audit support, and adherence to institutional and sponsor requirements.
8. Manages a diverse funding portfolio, including grants, contracts, gift funds, and discretionary/start-up accounts.
9. Engages collaboratively with Principal Investigators, providing financial insights, status updates, and recommendations to support project success and informed decision-making.
10. Ensures compliance with various funding regulations and institutional policies.
11. Serves as the primary departmental liaison for post-award administration, offering expertise and guidance on grant management processes, financial reporting, and sponsor communication.
12. Analyzes financial trends and recommends strategic budget adjustments or cost-saving measures as appropriate.
13. Develops labor distribution models to identify potential budget deficits in ongoing studies.
14. Prepares, negotiates, and manages subaward agreements between TCU and collaborating institutions, ensuring compliance and alignment with project objectives.
15. Resolves financial discrepancies and administrative issues such as overdrafts, suspense items, and open commitments, ensuring accurate and timely processing of labor accounting transactions
16. Collects and interprets various data to identify trends, assesses performance, and recommends process improvements for enhanced efficiency.
17. Maintains comprehensive documentation of administrative grant activities.
18. Establishes, revises, and re-budgets awards within the TCU financial systems, aligning project funding structures with evolving research and sponsor needs.

Other Key Responsibilities
19. Coordinates activities and collaborates with TCU’s Sponsored Programs department and the Burnett School of Medicine’s Office of Finance and Administration.
20. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business, Public Administration or a related field.
• 5 years of relevant professional experience in financial management & research grant administration in Non-Profit, Research Academic Institutions, or Government Agencies.
• Or, any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Experience as a senior analyst or in post-award management in a university sponsored programs office
• Masters’ Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business, Public Administration or a related field.

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• None

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

• Certified Research Administration
• Certified Grants Management Specialist
• Grant Professional Certified

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a large, dynamic, fast-moving team under evolving priorities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to troubleshoot problems, collaboratively develop, and independently implement solutions within tight timeframes
• Knowledge of sponsored project financial management principles, including relevant federal regulations and institutional policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Skill in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• Skills using Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create and utilize complex pivot tables, lookup functions, and other data formatting, manipulation, and analysis tools.
• Knowledge of grants administration systems, financial systems, and federal government research administration systems, such as eRA Commons, Grants.gov, EBARP, and NIH ASSIST.
• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance, Cost Principles, and Federal Regulations.
• Organizational and project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting strict deadlines.
• Written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with principal investigators, faculty, and senior leadership.
• Ability to communicate effectively on a technical level with internal TCU departments and external partner institutions.
• Skills in budgeting, forecasting, and analysis, with the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic research environment.
• Ability to use a customer-focused approach with outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships at all organizational levels.

TCU Core Competencies:

University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity sufficient to read information from computer screens, forms, and other printed or digital materials.
• Ability to speak clearly and effectively in conversations and general communication.
• Adequate hearing to engage in verbal communication in person, over the telephone, and through other communication systems.
• Manual dexterity and physical ability to perform tasks involving typing, writing, standing, reaching, bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, and prolonged sitting.
• Ability to lift and move objects or equipment weighing up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment:

• This is a grant-funded position contingent upon ongoing funding.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.
• Travel may be required to engage with partner organizations.
• This is an in-person, on-campus position

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.