Associate Director, Service Center Rate Analysis & Compliance

University of Kansas•Lawrence, KS

25d

About The Position

The Associate Director for Rate Analysis & Compliance provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for KUCR’s service center and core lab rate-setting and compliance function. The position supervises professional staff who calculate, review, and monitor service center and core lab billing rates to ensure compliance with federal regulations, University policy, and cost-recovery principles. The Associate Director serves as KUCR’s subject-matter expert on service center rate methodology, break-even analysis, and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200 §200.468), and works with Research Center and Core Lab Directors, department leadership, and central finance to support financially sustainable, appropriately priced, and audit-ready operations. The role is part of Fiscal Affairs in the University of Kansas Office of Research. Fiscal Affairs supports the financial and administrative infrastructure for research-related activities, including setting, maintaining, and analyzing service center rates and performing related compliance and oversight functions. The University may be unable to hire fully remote workers residing outside Kansas due to complex state employment laws. It currently cannot offer employment to candidates residing in California, Delaware, Idaho, or Minnesota. The application requires a cover letter addressing required and preferred qualifications, a resume or curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application review begins Monday, November 9, 2026, and continues until a qualified pool is identified.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field plus 3 years of progressive professional experience in financial analysis, accounting, or cost analysis, including service centers, recharge centers, or cost-recovery operations; OR a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields plus 5 years of such experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and federal cost principles.
Two years of experience as a lead worker and supervisory experience in a professional financial environment.
Experience in a research university or higher education environment, including knowledge of sponsored programs administration and F&A rate structures.
Advanced proficiency in Excel or financial modeling tools, including experience building and maintaining rate models or cost-allocation templates.
Experience with or knowledge of Cost Accounting Standards as applied in higher education.
Experience with ERP or financial systems used in university research administration, such as PeopleSoft, Workday, or similar.
Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nice To Haves

CPA, CMA, or CFRA (Certified Financial Research Administrator) credential, or demonstrated progress toward certification.

Responsibilities

Direct the development, review, and approval of service center and core lab rate models, ensuring rates use allowable costs and operate on a break-even basis over time.
Oversee treatment of prior-year surpluses and deficits and ensure appropriate rate adjustments under 2 CFR §200.468 and University policy.
Establish and maintain standardized tools, templates, rate-setting guides, and submission checklists.
Approve or recommend approval of service rate proposals and renewals.
Determine corrective actions for noncompliant or financially unstable service centers.
Analyze service center performance, fund balances, and rate stability; identify and escalate financial or compliance risks.
Provide strategic financial guidance on new service center or core lab proposals, rate changes, and operational risks.
Interpret federal, state, and University policy, including 2 CFR Part 200, Cost Accounting Standards, and related OMB guidance, and translate requirements into procedures.
Maintain current knowledge of federal cost principles, audit guidance, and higher education rate-setting practices.
Build collaborative relationships with service center and core lab managers, department leadership, and central finance units.
Advise service centers and core labs on costing methodologies, usage metrics, and pricing structures.
Develop and deliver training and outreach on rate-setting, cost accounting standards, and compliance requirements.
Advise on classification of service centers, specialized service facilities, and other cost-recovery mechanisms, including structural changes as units evolve.
Monitor portfolios for compliance with billing requirements, fund balance thresholds, and rate approval timelines; escalate issues as appropriate.
Support audit readiness and respond to internal and external audit inquiries about service center and core lab rate practices.
Maintain documentation of rate approvals, rate-study methodologies, and corrective actions.
Contribute to policy development and procedural updates as federal guidance or institutional needs change.
Directly supervise, coach, and manage the performance of professional staff responsible for rate calculations and monitoring.
Set priorities, allocate workload, and ensure consistent application of rate methodologies and compliance standards across the team.
Develop staff expertise and support professional growth opportunities.
Model collaborative, cross-functional engagement to reduce silos and advance shared understanding of service rate compliance across the Office of Research.