Financial Analyst, Post-Award, Office of Sponsored Projects

Overview

This role provides financial management and analytical support for sponsored programs within the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) Post-Award’s Grants Financial Management team. The Financial Analyst conducts data-driven reporting and variance analysis and supports key financial processes, including Letter of Credit (LOC) draws, receivables, refunds, and payment reconciliation. This position supports improved financial accuracy and efficiency through reporting and automation tools.

• Schedule: 40 hours per week
• FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA
• Position duration: Expected to continue
• Start date: Immediately
• Location: Austin, TX
• Work arrangement: Fully remote (with in-person participation bi-annually for OSP Summit)

Responsibilities

• Assist with Funds Management within OSP by reviewing processes for efficiencies and contributing to tools that improve workflow.
• Perform financial and operational analysis, including trend analysis, variance reviews, and reporting, using manual and automated reporting tools to support financial decision-making.
• Escalate and communicate financial issues, providing timely updates on analytics deliverables and receivables activity.
• Process weekly Letter of Credit (LOC) draws, including:
  • Preparing draw reports
  • Creating supporting vouchers
  • Reviewing LOC account balances
  • Making income adjustments
• Ensure appropriate fund placement for sponsored projects and conduct post-draw reconciliation to verify accurate fund application and maintain correct project balances.
• Support processing refunds on sponsored funds by preparing required documentation and coordinating submission through appropriate systems; maintain status logs to support timely completion.
• Support day-to-day sponsored receivables activities, including:
  • Monitoring outstanding balances
  • Preparing aging and status reports
  • Tracking incoming payments (wire transfers, ACH claims, and cash transfers)
• Research routine discrepancies (e.g., delayed or misapplied funds), compile supporting documentation for review, and initiate routine collection communications with university departments and external agencies; maintain related records.
• Support program reviews and operational audits by identifying efficiency opportunities and recommending workflow improvements.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in finance or accounting, including planning, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Experience in research administration and governmental or commercial accounting.
• Experience with costing allocations, reporting, and analyzing substantial amounts of data.
• Ability to review and interpret the terms and conditions of research grants and contracts.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including building and maintaining complex spreadsheets, formulas, and data models.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities accurately, with diplomacy and discretion.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong communication skills for high-level interactions with a varied research administration community.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent teamwork skills; positive and enthusiastic attitude.
• Eligible to work in the United States for any employer on a full-time basis.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, or Business Administration.
• Advanced degree in a related field with 5+ years of experience in preparation, processing, negotiation, and management of grant and contract proposals and awards.
• Experience with Power BI or similar data visualization platforms (Tableau, Looker) for dashboard development and stakeholder reporting.
• Familiarity with Power Automate, Power Query, macros (VBA) or other automation tools within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Knowledge of federal guidelines pertaining to institutions of higher education.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
• Experience working in a Sponsored Projects Office.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $60,000 + depending on qualifications
• Benefits include:
  • 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
  • Retirement contributions
  • Paid vacation and sick time
  • Paid holidays

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Occasional weekend, overtime, and evening work to meet deadlines.
• In-person participation bi-annually for OSP Summit.

Employment Eligibility & Additional Information

• Employment eligibility: Regular staff employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings recruited through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, including promotional opportunities and lateral transfers.
• Retirement plan eligibility: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
• Background checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s).
• Employment eligibility verification: If hired, completion of the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form is required, with documentation due no later than the third day of employment.
• E-Verify: E-Verify is used to check work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015.

Required Application Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with contact information (at least one reference should be from a supervisor)
• Letter of interest

Location

Austin, TX