Manager, Research Portfolio Services (Lead Liaison)

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, AR

3d • $100,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Manager, Research Portfolio Services (Lead Liaison) provides leadership and operational oversight to a team of Award Liaisons that manage the financial administration of faculty research portfolios. Reporting to the Director of Campus Research Services, this role supervises a team of Award Liaisons and ensures consistent, compliant, and high-quality post-award financial management services under a service level agreement (SLA) with client unit(s).

The Manager serves as a senior subject matter expert, overseeing complex and high-risk research portfolios, establishing financial management standards, and advising faculty and leadership on financial projections, risk mitigation, and resource allocation. The position develops operational work plans, coordinates logistics, and secures resources necessary to support designated research programs and unit objectives in alignment with institutional priorities.

As the primary escalation point for financial, compliance, and operational issues, this role works closely with academic departments, leadership, and administrative partners to ensure adherence to institutional and sponsor requirements. The Manager is responsible for training and developing staff in research administration logistics and compliance requirements to strengthen team competencies and promote best practices. The position manages staff in the execution of unit operations, oversees workload distribution and performance, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence.

Key responsibilities include team leadership and development; oversight and approval of unit expenditures; auditing budgets, accounting systems, and reporting activities to ensure compliance with established guidelines; oversight of financial transactions and reporting; management of complex post-award actions; compliance monitoring; support for audits and reviews; and communication and change management related to research administration policies and practices within the college. Success is demonstrated through strong financial stewardship, effective team leadership, operational excellence, consistent adherence to the SLA, regulatory compliance, and high stakeholder satisfaction.

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 five years of experience in research administration
• At least three years of experience in supervising or leading staff, including performance management and workload coordination

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least seven years of experience in research administration
• Current Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and/or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA)
• Experience with sponsors such as DoE, DoD (AFSoR, Army, DTRA, DARPA), NIH, NSF, USDA, USGS, as well state and non-federal organizations
• Experience with enterprise accounting and internal grant management systems, such as Workday and Streamlyne, or comparable platforms
• Experience leading 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 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 projections
• Knowledge of federal, state, and institutional research compliance requirements, with experience using Research.gov, Grants.gov, and similar sponsor systems
• Extensive knowledge of federal regulations and sponsor requirements (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NIH GPS, NSF PAPPG). Ability to interpret complex financial and regulatory information
• Strong leadership and team management skills, including coaching, mentoring, performance management, staff development, workload balancing, and conflict resolution
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, and central offices
• 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 balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• 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

Responsibilities

• Team leadership and development
• Oversight and approval of unit expenditures
• Auditing budgets, accounting systems, and reporting activities to ensure compliance with established guidelines
• Oversight of financial transactions and reporting
• Management of complex post-award actions
• Compliance monitoring
• Support for audits and reviews
• Communication and change management related to research administration policies and practices within the college

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: Manager