Assistant/Associate Director, Grant and Contract Financial Administration

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Assistant/Associate Director, Grant and Contract Financial Administration

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, Business and Finance, Research Services

Job Description Summary

The Office of Research Services post award group engages with key stakeholders, research administrators, internal and external partners, sponsors, and regulatory agencies throughout the post award lifespan of a sponsored project. The Associate Director plays a vital role in the success of research administration at Penn. The Associate Director will be responsible for day to day management of a team of Grant and Contract Financial Administrators, ensuring post award financial administration for a portfolio of approximately $250m in sponsored project funds; and ensuring compliance with federal, city, and state regulatory requirements, as well as with sponsor and University policies and procedures. The Associate Director will serve as an Authorized Organizational Representative under delegation from the Trustees for submission and sign-off of post award financial information to federal and other research sponsors.

The Associate Director will work closely with the Office of Research Services (ORS) staff and research departments in the schools and centers to ensure compliance with sponsor and university invoicing, financial reporting, and other requirements. The Associate director will collaborate with our internal partners to identify ways to improve communication, workflows and efficiencies, ensure post award controls and processes are operating appropriately and provide support and guidance on post award policies and procedures. As part of the ORS team, the Associate Director will also be responsible developing, delivering, and facilitating University-wide sponsored projects training for research administrators and post award team members. He/she will also provide technical support for various post award systems and processes and work with internal partners and departments and external auditors on sponsored project compliance monitoring and audits.

In the Division of Finance, we recognize diversity and inclusion is paramount to a positive and thriving work environment; it is a business imperative. We are committed to actively fostering diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency throughout our operational efforts in the Division of Finance. This role will be critical in supporting those efforts and demonstrating behaviors and competencies that reflect Penn's values.

We take pride in the myriad ways that diversity enriches our curriculum, and the cultural and social life of our campus. Penn's commitment to achieving eminence through diversity is ultimately a commitment to creating a more vibrant university so that our gradu