Director of Post-Award Research Administration, Moody College of Communication

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, UT

5d • Remote

About The Position

The Director of Post-Award Research Administration is based in the Moody College Research Office and manages post-award administration of sponsored research awards across Moody College, from account setup through closeout. The Director serves as a central resource and works with the Office of Sponsored Projects, principal investigators, and departmental and center administrative staff to administer subawards, process financial transactions, prepare sponsor reports, and ensure compliance with federal regulations and sponsor requirements. The position provides expert guidance on post-award policies, procedures, and financial management throughout the award lifecycle.

The Director provides leadership and oversight for post-award operations and supervises the Grants and Finance Coordinator. The role collaborates on account transactions, financial monitoring and reporting, personnel activities, expenditure guidance, and tracking systems. It also monitors policy changes, supports consistent practices across Moody College through training and direct assistance, and represents the Moody Research Office in relevant committees and initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least five years of experience in post-award research administration, sponsored programs/grants and contracts management, or related financial administration.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and sponsor-specific post-award regulations and reporting requirements, such as 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including budget monitoring and reconciliation.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple accounts, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with faculty, departmental staff, and the Office of Sponsored Projects.
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and financial reporting tools, such as Excel.
• Must meet all qualifications outlined in the University’s Flexible Work Arrangement Policy and submit required documentation to participate in remote work.
• Internet access is required for remote work.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with NIH and NSF post-award reporting requirements, including RPPR submissions.
• Experience with university financial systems such as UTRMS, Cognos, and Workday.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or equivalent certification.
• Experience in a higher education or large research university setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for compliant, efficient post-award management of sponsored projects throughout the award lifecycle.
• Supervise the Grants and Finance Coordinator and provide guidance on complex or escalated award and account matters.
• Partner with the Grants and Finance Coordinator on account transactions, rebudgets and budget transfers, purchase orders, contracts, subawards, award modifications, and closeout; lead actions requiring sponsor or institutional approval.
• Serve as the primary post-award liaison for investigators, sponsors, the Office of Sponsored Projects, and campus partners.
• Partner with departmental and center administrative staff on research personnel activities, including appointments, costings, tuition support, faculty buyouts, summer salary, and other grant-funded personnel matters.
• Advise departmental and center administrative staff on grant expenditures.
• Develop and maintain shared tracking tools to support units in managing post-award administration.
• Collaborate on financial management of sponsored projects, including monitoring expenditures, projections, and account activity.
• Lead preparation and submission of major sponsor reports, including NIH RPPRs.
• Oversee the Indirect Cost Return process and the annual post-award report for the Associate Dean for Research; provide ad hoc reporting and analysis as requested.
• Oversee key financial tracking systems and reporting of institutional research metrics.
• Collaborate with the Grants and Finance Coordinator to manage the post-award reporting calendar and financial reporting activities, ensuring sponsor and institutional deadlines are met.
• Lead effort certification on sponsored projects.
• Monitor changes in sponsor, federal, and institutional policies affecting research administration and share relevant updates with investigators and administrative partners.
• Support consistent and effective post-award research administration practices across Moody College through training, guidance, and direct post-award support to units as needed.
• Represent the Moody Research Office on committees, working groups, and initiatives related to post-award research administration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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