Director of Sponsored Projects Accounting, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

The UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) Sponsored Projects Accounting department (SPA) provides effective and efficient post-award support for externally funded research, extension and teaching activities while also ensuring compliance. The Director of UTIA SPA reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance and provides vision and strategic direction to achieve the mission. The SPA department provides financial administrative, accounting, and auditing service to the UTIA research community for post-award functions and coordinates activities with the UTIA Office of Sponsored Programs which provides pre-award support. The department processed ~$78M in grant and contract revenue in fiscal year 2023-2024. The Director is responsible for establishing goals, initiatives, priorities, policies, and strategic planning for SPA. The position oversees the compliance of all grant and contract funding, including the set-up, invoicing, compliance, close-out, and audit for all federal, state, local, and private grants for all research, teaching, and outreach extramural funding at UTIA.

Strategic Planning & Leadership:

• Provides overall department leadership, direction, and management to optimize efficiency and productivity. 
• Leads strategic planning and operational implementation of post-award systems, processes, and training activities.
• Trains, partners, and leads change management efforts to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, compliance, education, and customer service aspects of business processes, systems in sponsored project accounting.
• Identifies and proposes system modifications to minimize obstacles, streamline processes, and increase efficiency of sponsored project-related activities.
• Provides leadership in identifying, evaluating, and deploying best practices and innovative processes to support the education and research missions of UTIA.
• Contributes to the development and reporting of metrics, trends and statistical analysis. Uses this data to recommend and implement process improvements to optimize productivity, reduce costs, and streamline workflow.
• Collaborates with DASH and Huron teams, end users, sponsors, external vendors, and other institutions to leverage technology opportunities for process improvement.
• Interpret laws, regulations, policies, and contractual requirements to ensure compliance in all areas of financial administration.
• Develop policies and procedures to ensure and protect the interests of the Institute of Agriculture and the University of Tennessee.
• Inform, advise, and collaborate with UTIA leadership and external partners to ensure alignment with federal, state and local laws, regulations, and mandates.

Team Management & Supervision:

• Leads a team of 5-6 professional accounting staff.
• Directs the on-boarding and training of new team members.
• Listens, supervises, and fosters teamwork to develop talented, service-oriented professionals.
• Uses knowledge and understanding of complex research regulations to guide decision-making and solve problems.
• Develops cross-training opportunities to ensure critical tasks are covered and professional development opportunities are provided for staff.
• Develops departmental and individual personnel goals.
• Communicates priorities and provides feedback to team members.
• Provides feedback and monitors team goals and portfolio management.
• Conducts employee appraisals to evaluate staff and guide professional development on designed career paths. 
• Evaluates departmental workload and allocation of work assignments.
• Oversees hiring, disciplinary action, and raise recommendations for UTIA Sponsored Projects staff.

Audit & Compliance:

• Conducts and monitors compliance activities to mitigate the risk of financial liability and loss of institutional reputation that could result from federal, 
• state, and private audits.
• Initiates corrective actions to ensure that financial records are presented in conformity with University policies and sponsor regulations.
• Interprets and applies fiscal regulations and guidelines to ensure that all federal, state, and University requirements are met.
• Assesses risk and initiates changes where appropriate to promote quality assurance and reduce financial risk.
• Maintains working knowledge of all current and proposed applicable financial rules, regulations, and guidelines.
• Reviews audit-sensitive areas and confirms expenses are allowable, allocable, and reasonable based on regulations, policies, and contractual terms.
• Oversees the coordination of internal and external audits and contributes to the development of corrective action response