Research Financial Analyst II

Virginia Tech • Roanoke, VA

2d

About The Position

The Research Financial Analyst II works directly with principal investigators, research personnel, finance staff, and institutional partners to support responsible stewardship of sponsored funds and ensure awards are administered in accordance with sponsor regulations, university policy, and institutional procedures. FBRI manages a diverse and complex sponsored research portfolio supported by federal agencies, state funding, private foundations, philanthropic investments, industry-sponsored research, translational initiatives, and emerging commercialization activities. The institute supports approximately 50 independently led laboratories and research centers operating under varied funding structures, sponsor requirements, and operational models. As a key member of the FBRI team, this position will manage routine to moderately complex post-award administration for an assigned faculty portfolio, including financial forecasting, labor allocation monitoring, grant transition planning, and identification of key administrative and compliance deadlines. The position is expected to serve as a specialist and exercise sound judgment in identifying financial and administrative actions required to maintain compliant award management, while escalating highly complex, high-risk, or non-routine issues to the Associate Director of Post Award Management. Position is expected to collaborate effectively with the Office of Sponsored Programs. This role is designed as a professional mid-level position with a progressive career path toward senior post-award administration responsibilities. Assigned portfolios may include faculty supported by federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, private foundations, and subawards involving varied sponsor requirements and administrative timelines.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in accounting, finance, grant administration, research administration, or related administrative work involving independent portfolio management and financial analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex financial, administrative, and regulatory requirements with limited supervision.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial reporting systems.
• Strong communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and institutional partners.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply complex policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting sponsored research, grants, contracts, or restricted funds.
• Experience in an academic, healthcare, nonprofit, or research-intensive environment.
• Familiarity with federal sponsor requirements such as National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, or Department of Defense.
• Experience with large ERP systems.
• Progress toward Certified Research Administrator credential or interest in pursuing certification.

Responsibilities

• Manage routine to moderately complex post-award administration for an assigned faculty portfolio.
• Perform financial forecasting.
• Monitor labor allocation.
• Plan grant transitions.
• Identify key administrative and compliance deadlines.
• Serve as a specialist and exercise sound judgment in identifying financial and administrative actions required to maintain compliant award management.
• Escalate highly complex, high-risk, or non-routine issues to the Associate Director of Post Award Management.
• Collaborate effectively with the Office of Sponsored Programs.

What This Job Offers

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