Grants Finance Specialist
Overview
This role supports post-award grants financial activities for multiple academic and administrative units, including the College of Business, College of Design, Graduate College, and other operational areas. The Grants Finance Specialist (Grants Specialist II) works within the Finance Service Delivery team.
Responsibilities
- Researches and understands special conditions associated with awards in a portfolio
- Monitors financial activity for an award portfolio, including overspends, cost sharing, and unallowable expenses, throughout the award lifecycle to ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and university policies
- Maintains working knowledge of applicable regulations, policies, and protocols related to sponsor and university requirements
- Recommends and processes accounting adjustments to award expenditures to resolve issues of non-compliance or lack of funds
- Documents cost-share expenditures
- Processes effort reporting and adjustments for all Federal/Federal Flow Through awards
- Assists with budget revisions, no-cost extensions, and supplemental award line requests
- Provides and reviews sponsored funding financial reports
- Collaborates with team members and departmental customers to deliver exceptional customer service
- Works with team members and departmental customers to resolve complex or unique situations, escalating to leadership when necessary
Required Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a business-related field of study
- Experience with post-award financial management of grants, including development of budget projections
- Experience in higher education/institutional settings
- Experience working remotely
- Experience with Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Excel, and Teams
- Experience with Workday Financial Management
Compensation & Benefits
- Appointment type: Regular
- Number of months employed per year: 12 Month Work Period
- Time type: Full time
- Pay grade: PS808
This position includes comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
- Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
- Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
- Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Various voluntary benefits and discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellbeing program
- WorkFlex options for some positions (flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work)
General compensation information is available through University Human Resources; individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
Location & Work Arrangement
- Hybrid work is available, with a requirement that the employee resides in the state of Iowa on or before the start of employment.
Eligibility / Work Authorization
- Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.
- Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Application Details
- Original posting date: October 19, 2026
- Posting close date: October 28, 2026
- Job requisition number: R20096
To apply, complete the Employment Application and prepare to submit:
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Application/Cover Letter
Equal Opportunity
The employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.