Financial Specialist Senior

Arizona State University•Tempe, AZ

7d•$50,823 - $63,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering (SBHSE) is seeking a collaborative and service-oriented Financial Specialist Senior to join its Research Advancement team. This position provides financial management and post-award support for sponsored research projects while partnering with faculty and university stakeholders to ensure responsible stewardship of research funding. Individuals with experience or interest in research administration and financial management are encouraged to apply for this opportunity within ASU's School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering (FSE). The Research Advancement team provides financial oversight and administration of sponsored grants and contracts while partnering closely with faculty conducting innovative research that addresses today's most pressing global challenges. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of financial management principles, a commitment to exceptional customer service, and a continuous improvement mindset. At ASU, you'll join a collaborative research enterprise that values innovation, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service. This position offers opportunities to expand your expertise in research administration, contribute to operational improvements, and advance within one of the nation's leading public research universities. This is a mid-career professional position (Level 3 of 7) reporting to the Research Advancement Manager. This role offers opportunities to take on increasingly complex responsibilities based on performance, with potential career growth into specialized areas of research administration or supervisory leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Knowledge of sponsored financial management, including post-award administration (including awards funded by the National Institute of Health), budgeting, forecasting, cost share requirements, and Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost principles, and financial reporting.
Knowledge of federal regulations governing sponsored research, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), audit requirements, and sponsor-specific policies for agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and other federal and non-federal sponsors.
Understanding of institutional financial and electronic research administration (eRA) systems, accounting platforms, and reporting tools.
Ability to analyze complex financial data, identify discrepancies, and apply corrective actions.
Ability to apply allowability, allocability, and reasonableness standards to sponsored project expenditures.
Ability to prepare accurate and compliant financial reports, invoices, and reconciliations under strict deadlines.
Skill in interpreting sponsor guidelines and translating them into operational steps for faculty and staff.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
Excellent communication and customer service skills with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial audiences.
Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, university partners, and external sponsors.
Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, initiative, and attention to detail.
Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, process optimization, and operational excellence.

Nice To Haves

Experience in research administration, particularly post-award financial management.
Demonstrated experience managing cost share commitments, tracking, documentation, and reporting.
Experience interpreting and applying Uniform Guidance, federal agency terms, and audit requirements.
Advanced skill in budget development, multi-year financial planning, and scenario modeling.
Experience managing complex sponsored project portfolios with multiple funding sources.
Proficiency with institutional financial systems, eRA platforms, and automated reporting tools.
Strong analytical skills, including financial forecasting and variance analysis.
Experience with effort reporting, payroll certification, and related compliance requirements.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, researchers, and cross-functional administrative units.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly.
Experience working in environments with competing deadlines, sensitive information, and frequent priority changes.

Responsibilities

Manage post-award financial activities for designated sponsored projects, including award setup, budget allocation, expenditure monitoring, monthly account reconciliations, and closeout.
Prepare, review, and revise project budgets, including budget justifications, re-budgets, and multiyear financial planning.
Prepare and submit sponsor financial reports and invoices, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with award terms and conditions.
Monitor expenditures for allowability, allocability, and consistency, identifying issues and implementing corrective actions.
Review and approve financial transactions, such as cost transfers, payroll allocations, journal entries, procurement, and subaward invoices.
Manage cost share commitments, including tracking, documentation, reporting, and ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
Provide financial forecasting and portfolio analysis (burn rates, projections, variance analysis) to support faculty decision-making.
Manage closeout processes, ensuring timely final reconciliations, final reports, and compliance documentation.
Collaborate with pre-award, compliance, departmental, and central finance units to ensure accuracy and consistency across the award lifecycle.
Serve as a financial resource, providing guidance on sponsored project financial policies, procedures, and best practices.