(Remote) Sponsored Projects Accounting Manager - Shared Services

The Shared Services Center at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Sponsored Projects Accounting Manager.

About the Opportunity

The Sponsored Projects Accounting Manager supervises the Sponsored Projects Accounting teams within the Sponsored Projects Management unit of the WVU Shared Services Center (SSC). The teams provide general financial and accounting support with award setup, billing, and financial reporting. This role provides mentoring, day to day guidance and performance management for team members, maintains appropriate staffing levels, and ensures all service and quality levels are achieved. This person also provides deep functional expertise in the areas of research administration as it relates to federal state, agency award specific and university regulations, policies and procedures.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Post-Award Administration:
  
  
  
  
  • Oversees the day to day operations of the financial and accounting activity as it relates to award setups, billing/invoicing and financial reporting.
    
  • Responsible for developing and maintaining a thorough understanding of the various modules, from a functional perspective, and their integration within the overall financial and administrative systems.
    
  • Trains team to have a full understanding of award requirements and to communicate them appropriately as part of the financial and accounting processes.
    
  • Maintains a high level of understanding of research administration, agency guidelines and policies, and current governmental guidance (example: OMB Uniform guidance) and obtains necessary certifications or trainings as needed.
    
  • Engages with other SSC managers, Grant Managers, Principal Investigators and the Office of Sponsored Programs to identify process challenges as they are encountered
    
  • Supports the team in their roles as institutional contacts for sponsors on financial related activities.
    
  • Reviews, monitors and assists with the compilation of financial reports and activities for agencies completed by team at the appropriate reporting intervals and at closeout.
    
  • Guides team members in appropriate billing treatments, internal cost share setups and tracking for sponsored projects.
  • Understands and promotes the link between the Division of Finance, strategic leaders in colleges and schools and the SSC to ensure service goals are achieved.
  
  
  
  
• Process Improvement and Projects:
  
  
  
  
  • Models a "change champion" role for the team. Can clearly articulate the benefits of new or revised post award processes for employees and partners. Working with the Director and Assistant Director, develops plans to implement those changes with the team
    
  • Ensures high quality, efficient service to the research community and aids in the planning and implementation of innovative customer service initiatives.
    
  • Actively monitors and uses metrics and trends to determine where process improvement options exist to improve the reconciliation and reporting processes.
    
  • Maintains all necessary records and justifications related to work assigned.
    
  • Assists supervisor with strategic planning, development of procedures and/or internal controls, and training materials.
    
  • Works independently on a variety of correspondence and special projects. Collaborates with other members within the unit to ensure cross team support.
    
  • Interfaces with customers to understand expectations and follow-up to ensure satisfactory resolution of request. Maintains customer relationships through effective and timely communication.
    
  • Reviews service requests to ensure consistency in workflow and documentation to standards.
    
  • Coordinates and supports the research and service missions for the Shared Services.
  • Organizes and participates in post-award meetings, conferences or other training sessions.
  • Works closely with the Sponsored Projects Management Director and Assistant Director on special projects. Ensures project deliverables are delivered on time, are documented and teams are effectively trained in process and
    functionality changes.
  
  
  
  

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, or other related field
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the following:
  
  
  
  • Research Administration including working with sponsored awards
  • Computer software including Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe
  • Planning and implementing new policies and strategies
  • Grants/contracts accounting
  • Speaking/writing effective, clear & concise reports
  • Researching and collecting data to form reports and make recommendations
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  
• Excellent computer skills with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe applications.
  
• Incumbent must possess the ability to work independently and carry out assignments with minimal supervision.
  
• Ability to analyze data, solve problems and provide useful reporting tools.
  
• Ability to prepare, manage and maintain budgets and financial reports and provide reconciliation reports among clustered accounts.
  
• Ability to learn and implement WVU, State, and Federal policies and procedures relative to budgetary and grant related matters.
  
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting Uniform Guidance and other federal regulations.
  
• Must be skilled in working with grants and contracts in a higher educational environment.
  
• Must have excellent organizational skills and be able to work with a variety of constituencies and address complex issues in an accurate and timely manner.
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team through prior project team leadership and/or supervisory experience.
• Ability to inspire team work and collaboration across functional areas of the sponsored projects management areas.
  
• Skills in, or knowledge of, professional principles, legal and/or reporting requirements affecting extramurally sponsored projects.
  
• Ability to perform financial calculations, prepare/maintain financial reports, analysis, and summaries for a large customer base.
  
• Ability to identify and address areas of continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Using Kuali Coeus and MAP/Oracle database

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.