Senior Grant & Research Finance Analyst

Versiti•Wauwatosa, WI

About The Position

The Research Finance team provides budgeting, forecasting, grant accounting, business case development, financial modeling, and analytics leadership to support Versiti's research financial health, compliance responsibilities, and growth strategies. The Senior Grant & Research Finance Analyst serves as a trusted financial advisor to assigned Principal Investigators (PIs), research leadership, and cross-functional partners, providing financial oversight with award management, reporting, and closeout. This role manages a portfolio of federal, private, and internally funded research activity; prepares forecasts and financial analysis; supports sponsor reporting and audit readiness; evaluates funding risks and resource needs; and translates complex financial information into clear, actionable recommendations. The successful candidate must understand the purpose of a mission-driven research organization and how strong financial stewardship supports achievement of the Versiti's mission.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting or a related discipline from an accredited college or university required
4-6 years of experience in finance, financial operations, accounting and / or related field required
1-3 years of experience in research finance or grant accounting required
1-3 years Experience supporting federally funded research programs; NIH experience preferred preferred
Experience managing PI portfolios, grant forecasts, sponsor reporting, indirect cost recovery, effort reporting, salary cap monitoring, and grant closeout. preferred
Ability to understand and communicate financial information clearly and concisely required
Oracle Cloud ERP system and/or financial report writing experience preferred
Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work with large and complex data sets. required
Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), NIH Grants Policy Statement, sponsor requirements, cost principles, and research compliance concepts. required
Ability to review costs for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, proper classification, and alignment with sponsor and organizational requirements. required
Ability to translate complex financial and compliance information into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations for PIs, research leadership, finance leadership, and executive stakeholders. required
Effective verbal and written communication, presentation, training, customer service, conflict resolution, and organizational skills. required
Ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority, work collaboratively across levels of the organization, and lead cross-functional initiatives. required
High attention to detail, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to continuous process improvement and financial stewardship. required
Understands the purpose of a mission-driven organization and how financial management supports the organization's achievement of its mission. required
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of spreadsheets, word processing, database applications, networked personal computers, and integrated financial systems required

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree preferred

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of research programs, grants, and assigned PIs, including monthly financial accounting, reporting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
Conduct regular portfolio reviews with PIs and research leadership to evaluate spending trends, staffing projections, carry forward balances, funding gaps, and financial risks.
Prepare grant, operating, and multi-year program budgets and forecasts that optimize grant dollars and support long-range research planning.
Serve as a strategic partner to PIs, executives, and research leaders by providing financial guidance for current operations, future proposals, staffing decisions, and growth initiatives.
Create and monitor key financial drivers and performance indicators related to grant utilization, indirect cost recovery, operating margin, staffing utilization, funding trends, and program sustainability.
Monitor compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), NIH Grants Policy Statement, sponsor-specific requirements, and internal financial policies.
Review research expenditures for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, proper classification, and alignment with budget and sponsor requirements.
Prepare and submit financial reports, invoices, draw requests, reconciliations, and closeout documentation for grant sponsors.
Support effort reporting, salary cap monitoring, cost sharing, sub award monitoring, and audit requests related to sponsored programs.
Prepare or support the annual indirect cost proposal and analyze indirect cost recovery assumptions, rates, and opportunities.
Develop financial models, pro formas, scenario analysis, and sensitivity analysis to evaluate new research initiatives, partnerships, funding opportunities, and strategic investments.
Contribute to business case processes, including inputs and outputs, time lines, ROI templates, financial assumptions, reporting, and post-implementation tracking.
Analyze cost recovery, pricing, costing, margin, and financial impact models to support leadership decisions and improve sustainability of research programs.
Present financial insights and recommendations to research leadership, finance leadership, and executive stakeholders in a clear and actionable manner.
Develop, implement, and maintain process improvements within Research Finance, leveraging best practices to improve efficiency, internal controls, data integrity, and reporting quality.
Participate in enhancement and maintenance of financial systems, including system design, implementation, upgrades, troubleshooting, report writing, and financial data governance.
Develop dashboards, reports, and analytical tools using Excel, Oracle reporting tools, Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms to support operational and strategic decision-making.
Maintain procedures and documentation for key responsibilities to ensure consistent accounting, transaction processing, reporting, and compliance practices.
Educate PIs, research staff, and operational leaders on financial concepts, sponsor requirements, budget management, compliance risks, and financial stewardship expectations.
Influence stakeholders without direct authority and build strong partnerships with scientific, operational, contract management, grant administration, and finance teams.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to analysts and research staff; lead assigned projects and cross-functional initiatives.
Provide back-up support to other Financial Analysts as needed.
Actively contribute to Finance leadership priorities and special projects.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the job classification.
Understand and perform work in accordance with applicable regulatory and compliance requirements and standard operating policies and procedures.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification
Understands and performs in accordance with all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements
Complies with all standard operating policies and procedures