Sr. Administrative/Financial Coordinator

University of Oklahoma•Norman, OK

25d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences is seeking a Senior Research Coordinator (Senior Administrative/Financial Coordinator) to join the Dean’s Office Research Finance Administration Team. The position provides specialized financial administration and post-award support for sponsored grants and contracts across the College. The role works collaboratively with Principal Investigators (PIs), departmental staff, College leadership, central University offices, the Research Manager, Lead Coordinators, and other stakeholders as part of a team-based approach to sponsored-project administration. It supports monitoring sponsored-project financial activity, preparing and analyzing financial reports and projections, resolving financial and administrative issues, and ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements and University policies and procedures. The position serves as a research-finance resource for faculty and departmental staff, providing consultation, guidance, and problem resolution related to sponsored-project financial administration. It requires independent judgment to review financial activity, identify potential compliance or procedural concerns, research complex issues, and develop appropriate solutions. The role also provides administrative coverage to departments during staff vacancies or leaves and contributes to process improvement across the College.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Management, or a related field.
24 months of office management, financial management, or related experience.
Alternatively, 48 months of experience may substitute for the bachelor's degree, for a total of 72 months of related experience.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in financial review and reporting.
Proactive and exceptional customer-service orientation when supporting faculty and departmental staff.
Strong financial analysis and basic accounting skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with the Research Manager, Lead Coordinators, and Research Finance Administration Team in a high-volume environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including developing, maintaining, and manipulating spreadsheets and financial reports.
Ability to maintain, navigate, and interpret information from databases and financial systems.
Strong computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, and electronic records management.
Ability to analyze financial information, identify discrepancies, and develop appropriate solutions.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including managing multiple priorities and competing timelines and meeting deadlines.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to communicate complex financial, research, and policy information clearly to faculty, staff, and administrators.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to collaborate with faculty, departmental staff, College leadership, central University offices, and other stakeholders.
Ability to interpret and apply sponsor requirements and federal, state, and University policies and regulations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a high-volume environment.

Nice To Haves

Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential.
University or higher education research-finance experience.
Experience with sponsored-project or post-award financial administration.
Experience developing and managing budgets, monitoring expenditures, and preparing financial projections.
Experience working directly with Principal Investigators and faculty on sponsored-project financial administration.

Responsibilities

Manage and monitor the financial administration of sponsored grants and contracts in coordination with PIs, departmental staff, and appropriate University offices.
Collaborate with the Research Manager, Lead Coordinators, and the Research Finance Administration Team to maintain consistent processes, solve problems, and coordinate support across the College.
Prepare and distribute recurring sponsored-project financial reports, including expenditures, commitments, available balances, and financial projections.
Analyze sponsored-project financial activity and provide PIs and departmental staff with information to support financial management and decision-making.
Review transactions and financial activity for accuracy, appropriate funding, allowability, and compliance with sponsor terms and applicable University policies and procedures.
Identify, research, and resolve financial discrepancies, procedural errors, compliance concerns, and other sponsored-project issues.
Provide consultation, guidance, and problem resolution to PIs and departmental staff on research financial administration, policies, procedures, and best practices.
Coordinate with the Research Manager, Lead Coordinators, central University offices, and other stakeholders to research complex issues, obtain guidance, and communicate resolutions.
Provide research-finance support for purchases, travel, reimbursements, funding requests, and other sponsored-grant and contract transactions.
Assist in developing, implementing, interpreting, and communicating research-finance policies and procedures.
Train and guide faculty and departmental staff on research-finance processes, policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
Provide research-finance administrative coverage and support to departments during staff vacancies, extended leaves, or other periods requiring additional College support.
Maintain discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive financial, research, personnel, and institutional information.
Perform related duties and special projects as needed to support the College’s research-finance administration functions.
Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve consistency, and strengthen compliance across the College.