Sponsored Project Financial Specialist (Open Rank, Intermediate to Principal)

Job Summary:

The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz employs 4,500+ individuals, instructs over 18,000 students, and has a budget of $3.3 billion.

University of Colorado has a large portfolio of sponsored research with great variety, including Federal NIH grants, Federal NSF grants, many other Federal grants, Federal contracts, State grants, State contracts, private industry clinical trials, association grants and much more.

This position is responsible for the creation and closeout of awards/projects within the system, approving budget and expense activity, invoicing, and assisting departments in the fiscal management of their sponsored projects, through central post-award support.

We are looking for someone with...

• positive energy, motivation, vision, and a desire for continuous 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 and necessary outcomes of those whom we serve

Key Responsibilities:

Sponsored Projects Award Modifications and Setup (15%)

• Review all awards for terms and conditions, billing, payment information, and reporting requirements to perform the setup of the award.

• Ensure award data in InfoEd is accurate and complete.

• Track award files in the InfoEd system.

• Enter award data in the PeopleSoft grants module.

Award Invoicing/Billing (10%)

• Complete monthly and quarterly billing of contracts to create account receivables. Work with sponsors and departments for all invoicing concerns, questions, and actions.

• Submit invoices to sponsors according to award/contract requirements.

• Conduct the reconciliation of accounts receivable and open items to the general ledger in PeopleSoft while reviewing outstanding invoices.

Financial Reporting Creation & Submission (15%)

• Prepare and submit financial reports.

• Perform tasks necessary to determine if changes are needed to bring the project into compliance.

• Determine if certain costs are allowed and that the project is within the authorized budget amount.

• Review the Trial Balance financial statement to examine the cash balance to determine the necessary decision and action(s) required to clear the cash residual or deficit.

Financial Management of Awards/Projects (10%)

• Monitor project budgets, indirect cost rates and charges, overspending, fiscal and sponsor compliance.

• Properly monitor portfolio by analyzing the tools to ensure that information is provided. If tools are lacking, this should be communicated to leadership for improvement opportunities and changes.

Award Closeouts (15%)

• Monitor projects throughout the life at least quarterly to ensure that revenues are applied correctly in PeopleSoft.

• Ensure that budget and billing limits are accurate.

• Monitor F&A and direct charges and quickly correct errors.

• Properly close, retire, and inactivate the assigned project no later than 120 days after the budget end date.

Sponsored Projects Cost Transfers Review and Approval (20%)

• Monitor the reallocation of expense approvals for compliance with various policies.

• Analyze each current and new check distribution lines within payroll expense transfers to ensure the percent of effort equals 100% and aligns with the justification provided.

• Examine Journal Entries to ensure the required documentation is provided which includes an explanation of the error that aligns with the actual transaction.

Sponsored Projects Subcontract Review and Approval (15%)

• Investigate all sub-award agreements for the budget period and analyze the language of the contract to determine if carry forward is allowed.

• Ensure changes are not required for the partially executed contract. If an error is found, communicate information back to the contracts team for further review and changes.

Customer Service (ongoing)

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

Principal Professional Key Responsibilities:

• In addition to the duties above, appointments at this level will serve as work leads over other Post Award Specialists and provide expert-level guidance and direction.

Work Location:

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

Why Join Us:

This exciting opportunity gives you the chance to:

• Participate in professional development opportunities to grow your career.

• Build relationships with other departmental staff, focused on understanding needs along with opportunities for improving processes.

• Partner with other financial staff in developing key financial performance tools and share them with departmental stakeholders.

• Become part of a department where inclusiveness and culture are valued.

• If interested, you can earn a master's degree at a greatly reduced rate through our Employee Tuition Assistance Benefit program.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent 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 gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 10/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

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

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Intermediate Level:

• A bachelor's degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, public administration, finance, accounting, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution. Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.

• At least one (1) year of professional grants, contracts, finance, expense/federal reporting or related experience.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Senior Level

• A bachelor's degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, public administration, finance, accounting, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution. Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.

• At least two (2) years of professional grants, contracts, finance, expense/federal reporting or related experience.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Principal Level

• A bachelor's degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, public administration, finance, accounting, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

• At least three (3) years of professional grants, contracts, finance, expense/federal reporting or related experience.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the administration of sponsored research or other central 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 process improvement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

• Strong, interpersonal, teamwork and customer service skills.

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite applications (Excel, Access, and Word)

• Excellent time and workflow management skills

• Excellent problem-solving skills.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

Questions should be directed to: Sean McBride, sean.m.mcbride@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by January 19, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting hiring range for this position has been established as:

• Intermediate Level: $52,312 - $66,541

• Senior Level: $56,553 - $71,936

• Principal Level: $65,036 - $82,726

The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

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

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.