Manager, Audits and Compliance in Sponsored Projects Administration (Post Award)

Position Summary:

UTHealth Houston's Sponsored Projects Administration Department is looking for a Manager to lead our Audits and Compliance area. As a key member of the Post Award Finance Team, this employee serves as the primary contact and expert for all sponsored project audits and reviews conducted by internal and external grant sponsors and auditing agencies. Gathers, organizes, and submits all source documentation required and maintains a library of documented policies and procedures of all financial activities used to manage sponsored awards. Oversees and monitors the implementation of all corrective actions and recommendations. Maintains a series of queries, reports, and analytics to identify and correct areas of potential financial risk. You will be the single point of contact for sponsors and will be tasked with maintaining and developing documentation practices in accordance with standards set by them. 

Our Sponsored Projects Department works a hybrid schedule and offices out of our University Center Tower location on Fannin. You should have previous experience in post-award grant administration and a good knowledge of healthcare. This position is eligible for all UTHealth Houston benefits.  

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us, you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ well-being is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts include entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus, many more! 

 

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Leads sponsored project audit and review engagements on behalf of Post Award Finance. Audits may be initiated by the State Auditor's Office, federal, state, and local agencies, and private grant sponsors. Monitors the activities of each audit to ensure all work is delivered to a high standard.
• Informs and consults with Internal Audit and Advisory Services (IAAS) for each audit and coordinates management responses with IAAS, CFO, and AVP of Sponsored Projects.
• Develops and maintains an online auditor webpage that includes all university policies and procedures needed to meet auditor requests. Coordinate regular updates of policies and procedures for sponsored projects, Payroll, Accounting/Bank Reconciliation, Capital Assets, Supply Chain, Accounts Payable, and Effort Reporting.
• Develops and enhances documentation of internal controls, policies, and procedures as needed to ensure excellent stewardship of sponsor funds.
• Collaborates with Sponsored Projects Administration Leadership and other financial areas as needed to prepare and oversee the implementation of corrective action plans. Provides management with information regarding engagement performance evaluations and assesses professional development needs.
• Keeps abreast of federal, university, and grant sponsor financial rules and regulations and any proposed changes that may impact or require change to SPA operations.
• Develops and implements a series of reports, queries, and analytics to monitor sponsored award spending for allowability and compliance with federal and sponsor regulations and university policies and procedures.
• Identifies and reports operational difficulties and possible remedies.
• Assists in developing and implementing new systems/transactions that affect changes in the University's financial system/reporting requirements. Assists eRA, Data, and Reporting team with maintaining interfaces to the financial system.
• May perform daily Post Award Finance activities such as financial reporting, award management, year-end close, revenue posting, and billing.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Certification/Skills:

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. 
• Effective time management and organization skills with the ability to be priority-oriented.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities are crucial.

 

 

 

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Business or Accounting required.

Minimum Experience:

Five (5) years directly related to a university or research organization. Previous post-award management experience with strong knowledge of federal grant and sponsor rules and regulations.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.