Award Liaison (Two Open Positions)

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, AR

1d • $70,000 - $80,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Award Liaison will work in the Campus Research Services unit of the Office of Research Administration in the Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) and reports to the Lead Liaison. Award Liaisons provide comprehensive financial management and oversight for faculty research portfolios within assigned academic unit(s). This role partners closely with faculty researchers to support effective stewardship of research funds through budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and strategic planning and acts as a liaison between faculty and various central University administrative offices.
The Award Liaison is responsible for working with faculty and the staff that support them to develop, maintain, and execute detailed financial projections for a diverse portfolio of research accounts funded by federal, non‑federal, and internal sources. Core duties include preparing accurate and timely financial reports; conducting complex short‑ and long‑term financial modeling; and managing budgets across both primary and secondary portfolios.
The incumbent is expected to proactively monitor expenditures, identify variances and potential risks, and advises faculty on appropriate resource allocation strategies to support programmatic goals while ensuring compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements.
Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Applicable equivalencies may be considered on the above qualifications.
• At least three years of experience in research administration
• At least three years of progressively responsible experience within the field of research in a university, non-profit, research institution, or similar, culminating in proposal development, project management, and budget management
• Experience in strategic planning, process improvement, and project management, including leading adoption of best practices and continuous improvement initiatives
• Advanced knowledge of financial and award management, including complex budget management, variance analysis, risk identification, and long‑ and short-term financial planning
• Knowledge of federal, state, and institutional research compliance requirements, with experience using Research.gov, Grants.gov, and similar sponsor systems
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple projects, and meet established deadlines with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and build productive working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders
• Advanced skill in Microsoft and related software applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Adobe Acrobat, financial management systems, and similar tools
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating initiative, flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to operate autonomously with minimal supervision
• Ability to mentor, coach, and advise faculty and staff on financial management, grantsmanship, and research administration practices
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least five years of experience in research administration
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience within the field of research in a university, non-profit, research institution
• Experience with sponsors such as DoE, DoD (AFSoR, Army, DTRA, DARPA), NIH, NSF, USDA, USGS, as well non-federal organizations
• Experience working in departmental and/or College level units that provide support in the following areas: sponsored awards management, including fund accounting, research administration, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and analysis across federal, non‑federal, and internal funding sources
• Experience with enterprise accounting and internal grant management systems, such as Workday and Streamlyne, or comparable platforms

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive financial management and oversight for faculty research portfolios within assigned academic unit(s).
• Partner closely with faculty researchers to support effective stewardship of research funds through budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and strategic planning.
• Act as a liaison between faculty and various central University administrative offices.
• Work with faculty and supporting staff to develop, maintain, and execute detailed financial projections for a diverse portfolio of research accounts funded by federal, non‑federal, and internal sources.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports.
• Conduct complex short‑ and long‑term financial modeling.
• Manage budgets across both primary and secondary portfolios.
• Proactively monitor expenditures, identify variances and potential risks.
• Advise faculty on appropriate resource allocation strategies to support programmatic goals while ensuring compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance.
• Create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Benefits

• University contributions to health insurance
• University contributions to dental insurance
• University contributions to life insurance
• University contributions to disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level