Financial Administrator 2

Pre-Award Responsibilities

• Manages pre-award administration of grants and contracts, including submitting proposals, completing budget and justification preparation, completing sponsor and university forms, and coordinating IRB protocols, sub-recipients, and other activities as needed.
• Reviews solicitations and final applications to ensure all needed documents are prepared in accordance with requirements.
• Effectively communicates with PI and other colleagues during submission processes.

Post-Award Financial Management

• Tracks expenditures on all grants, ensuring expenses are in line with budget.
• Reconciles accounts monthly.
• Maintains payroll and other transactions, ensuring correct charges.
• Works closely with colleagues to ensure smooth hand-off of information so that transactions are executed correctly.
• Facilitates account close out activities coordinating with accounting services as needed.
• Oversees effort commitment and reporting.
• Alerts PI to deviations from budget plans in sufficient time to make alternate decisions.

Analysis and Reporting

• Creates regular reports to show account actuals and projections.
• Gathers data from multiple offices and systems to create accurate and comprehensive financial picture for PI.
• Presents data efficiently and clearly to enable decision-making.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Engages with faculty, staff, and external partners across multiple departments, schools, and Centers to build strong working relationships and effectively and efficiently coordinate shared research activities.
• Tracks and fulfills financial and administrative commitments across multiple collaborators within and occasionally outside the University.
• Serves as a resource to the PI and research group by transferring knowledge and advising on research administration and financial policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure compliance and smooth project execution.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as accounting, business administration, finance, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• At least four years financial, budgeting &/or preparing account reconciliations or financial statements along with financial analysis or other relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with pre-award and/or post-award with research administration.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs.

To learn more about available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html.

Work-Life And Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care.

To learn more about these programs, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources.

To learn more about these resources, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement.