Post Award Specialist (Open Rank: Senior – Principal)

University of Colorado • Aurora, CO

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position will provide direct professional support of research activities. Functions include contracts and grants administration, regulatory compliance, sponsor communication and post award management, human subject compliance, research animal compliance. Providing high-level research administration support for the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. This position will report to the Director of Finance and Administration and work closely with department faculty.
This position would be responsible for exercising discretion, analytical skill, personal accountability, and responsibility in a wide range of areas including academic, administrative, managerial and research services functions. Work involves creating, integrating, applying, and sharing knowledge directly related to a professional field.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field.
• A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
• Two (2) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area (Senior Professional).
• Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area (Principal Professional).
• Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and the ability to create and maintain complex financial spreadsheets for grants management and forecasting.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and provide guidance to faculty and leadership on post‑award matters.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, accounting, public administration, or closely related area
• Experience working in an academic, medical, or research institution
• Demonstrated experience managing federal sponsored awards (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD), including knowledge of Uniform Guidance and sponsor‑specific policies.
• Demonstrated advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to independently use formulas, pivot tables, data analysis tools, and complex spreadsheets to manage financial data.
• Advanced experience with post‑award financial analysis, including forecasting, variance analysis, cost transfers, and compliance monitoring.
• Demonstrated experience with post‑award grants management, including financial oversight, reconciliations, projections, and award closeout.
• Experience working independently in a compliance‑driven environment requiring judgment, accuracy, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Activate Grant Accounts
• Contract and Subcontract Administration
• Reconcile grant, AEF and gift accounts on a monthly basis, reviewing transactions for appropriateness
• Provide monthly financial projections to PI’s and the Director of Finance and Administration on all sponsored programs and start-up accounts
• Process grant account close-outs

Benefits

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service
• There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

What This Job Offers

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