Financial Coordinator, Center for Ocean Enterprise

Location: Marine Research Center, 1030 West Pier, Port of Gulfport, Gulfport, Mississippi, 39501, United States

Employment Status: Full Time • Grant Funded

About the role

The Financial Coordinator manages the financial administration of grants and designated project funds for the Center for Ocean Enterprise (COE) to ensure sound fiscal management and compliance with sponsor and University requirements. The position monitors budgets, payroll projections, time and effort reporting, and compensatory time tracking; reconciles grant and designated account expenditures; and supports pre- and post-award grant administration. Working closely with COE research staff, principal investigators, and the Executive Director, the position assists with proposal budget development, indirect cost recovery, financial reporting, purchasing, and travel coordination.

Responsibilities

• Manages the financial administration of assigned grants, contracts, and designated accounts by developing and monitoring project budgets, forecasting expenditures, tracking payroll projections, reconciling financial transactions, and preparing financial analyses to ensure compliance with sponsor and University requirements.
• Works closely with the Executive Director to identify budgetary issues and support long-term financial planning for sponsored projects.
• Administers pre-award and post-award grant activities by assisting with proposal budget development, budget revisions, indirect cost calculations, award setup, financial reporting, and ongoing grant management.
• Supports principal investigators and research staff throughout the lifecycle of sponsored projects to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and sponsor requirements.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and University financial requirements by monitoring grant expenditures, reviewing financial activity for allowability and accuracy, managing indirect cost distributions, maintaining required documentation, and applying Uniform Guidance and other applicable grant regulations to assigned awards.
• Coordinates financial and administrative support for research programs and projects by processing payroll-related forms, monitoring time and effort reporting and compensatory time, coordinating purchasing activities, travel arrangements, reimbursements, and other business transactions necessary to support project operations.
• Serves as the primary financial liaison for assigned projects by communicating with principal investigators, research staff, the Office of Research Administration, University business offices, and external sponsors regarding budget development, financial reporting, grant administration, and compliance matters.
• Provides guidance and recommendations to facilitate effective fiscal management of sponsored projects.
• Maintains financial records and project documentation while supporting operational effectiveness by preparing reports, monitoring project deadlines, maintaining grant-related records and data, identifying opportunities to improve financial processes, and performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field, and two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, grant administration, sponsored research administration, or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered. Advanced education may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Must be able to obtain a TWIC.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship.

Skills

• Skilled user of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience with financial software and managing budgets.
• Knowledge of pre- and post-award grant processes.
• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and budget management.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, sponsor, and University policies.
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare reports.
• Ability to manage multiple grants and competing deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Ability to travel to other USM campuses.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions and effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to deliver assignments with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of University financial procedures and grant administration.

Pay

Salary Range: $43,888.00 - $53,869.00

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions. Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others. We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life.