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UO
University of Colorado System
Sponsored Project Financial Specialist
Career Insights for Financial Operations Specialist
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What they do
A Financial Operations Specialist specializes in foreseeing or carrying out financial transactions or other routine operations that are influenced by compliance needs. Requires some knowledge of accounting, billing, customer service and contracts. Helps businesses and their customers resolve financial billing and reconciliation issues.
$69,985 / year median in Colorado
-8% projected decline
Job Description
University of Colorado Anschutz Department:
Office of Grants & Contracts, Financial Services Job Title:
Sponsored Project Financial Specialist Position #: 00786631- Requisition #: 40826
Job Summary:
The Office of Grants and Contracts (OGC) is responsible for the central administration of research awards and provides service to principal research investigators and administrators for the purpose of obtaining and administering extramural funds in compliance with university and sponsor guidelines. University of Colorado has a large portfolio of sponsored research with great variety, including Federal NIH grants, Federal NSF grants, many other Federal grants, Federal contracts, State grants, State contracts, private industry clinical trials, association grants and much more. Specifically, this position is responsible for the creation and closeout of awards/projects within the system, approving budget and expense activity, invoicing, and assisting departments in the fiscal management of their sponsored projects, through central post-award support. At the Senior level, this role will operate independently with minimal supervision, operate as a department resource and participate in process improvement working groups with internal and external partners. We are looking for someone with… positive energy, motivation, vision, and a desire for continuous learning a strategic mind-set and forward-thinking a belief that strong relationships are key to success a can-do attitude a focus on providing solutions based on the requirements and necessary outcomes of those whom we serveKey Responsibilities:
Sponsored Projects Award Modifications and Setup (15%) Review all awards for terms and conditions, billing, and payment information, reporting requirements, and any other provided information to perform the setup of the award in the Peoplesoft Grants system. Communicate with Sponsor if F&A rate or dollars have not been applied correctly. Award Invoicing/Billing (10%) Complete monthly and quarterly billing of contracts to create account receivables. Work with sponsors and departments for all invoicing concerns, questions, and actions. Submit invoices to sponsors according to award/contract requirements. Financial Reporting Creation & Submission (15%) Prepare and submit financial reports by the due date including Federal Financial Status Reports and non-Federal Reports of Expenditure based upon sponsor deadlines. Perform tasks necessary to determine if changes are needed to bring the project into compliance with the applicable requirement from the sponsor. Financial Management of Awards/Projects (10%) Monitor project budgets, indirect cost rates and charges, overspending, fiscal and sponsor compliance. Use of the grants WorkCentre and other provided tools to properly monitor portfolio. This includes analyzing the tools to ensure that needed information is provided. If tools are lacking, this should be communicated to leadership for improvement opportunities and changes. Award Closeouts (15%) Perform close-out, deliverables are met, cash is equal to zero, outstanding encumbrances are cleared, cash transfers to department accounts are completed and revenue reconciliation is complete. Monitor projects throughout the life at least quarterly to ensures that revenues are applied correctly in PeopleSoft by reconciling the accounts receivable and revenue recognition processes. Sponsored Projects Cost Transfers Review and Approval (20%) Monitor the reallocation of expense approvals for compliance with various policies. Apply documentation to explain errors and to support transactions for review. Sponsored Projects Subcontract Review and Approval (15%) Investigate all sub-award agreements for the budget period and analyze the language of the contract to determine if carry forward is allowed. Ensure changes are not required for the partially executed contract. If an error is found, communicate information back to the contracts team for further review and changes. Customer Service (ongoing) Conduct regular meetings with departments and respond timely and professionally to emails and phone calls from sponsors, principal investigators, department administrators and other OGC units.Senior Professional Key Responsibilities:
In addition to the duties above, appointments at this level will join process improvement working groups with internal and external parties.Work Location:
This role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of a minimum of 2 days per week on campus and additional days on campus as needed for training, in-person meetings or during peak times.Why Join Us:
This exciting opportunity gives you the chance to: Participate in professional development opportunities to grow your career. Build relationships with other departmental staff, focused on understanding needs along with opportunities for improving processes. Partner with other financial staff in developing key financial performance tools and share them with departmental stakeholders. Become part of a department where inclusiveness and culture are valued. If interested, you can earn a master's degree at a greatly reduced rate through our Employee Tuition Assistance Benefit program. Why work for the University? We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:Medical:
Multiple plan optionsDental:
Multiple plan optionsAdditional Insurance:
Disability, Life, Vision Retirement 401(a)Plan:
Employer contributes 10% of your gross payPaid Time Off:
Accruals over the yearVacation Days:
22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)Sick Days:
15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)Holiday Days:
15/yearTuition Benefit:
Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campusesECO Pass:
Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage .Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Intermediate Level:
A bachelor's degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, public administration, finance, accounting, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution. At least one (1) year of professional grants, contracts, finance, expense/federal reporting or related experience.Substitution:
A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis. Senior Level A bachelor's degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, public administration, finance, accounting, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution. At least two (2) years of professional grants, contracts, finance, expense/federal reporting or related experience.Substitution:
A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis. Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in the administration of sponsored research or other central research-related office in higher educational institution, government, or other entity engaged in sponsored research.
- General accounting and/or financial experience.
- Experience with process documentation and process improvement.
Conditions of Employment:
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
- Strong, interpersonal, teamwork and customer service skills.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite applications (Excel, Access, and Word)
- Excellent time and workflow management skills
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
Apply:
For full consideration, please submit the following document(s): A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position Curriculum vitae / Resume Questions should be directed to: Sean McBride- sean.
Screening of Applications Begins:
Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by September 1st, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.Anticipated Pay Range:
The starting salary range for this position has been established as:Intermediate Level:
$55,000- $66,541
Senior Level:
$60,000- $71,936 The above salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.