Hybrid Director, Grants and Financial Management at UChicago

Department

BSD IPP - Administration

About the Department

The newly created Institute for Population and Precision Health (IPPH), located in the Biological Sciences Division, will integrate a wide spectrum of factors such as human health behaviors, environmental factors, social and economic factors, policies and genetic determinants of health, into studies focused on the treatment and prevention of disease, as well as the maintenance of wellness. Leveraging and integrating the University of Chicago’s considerable institutional strength in population science with research spanning diverse fields such as genetic medicine, cancer epidemiology, microbiome, and epigenomics, the Institute will have the common goal of improving human health outcomes. Another major goal of the Institute will be to develop a new multidisciplinary training program to equip researchers with emerging tools and methods to conduct precision health research within a population health framework. Our faculty lead research projects in biostatistics, epidemiology, and health services research and participate in interdisciplinary teams with faculty in other departments to address complex problems in health and healthcare, in our communities and around the globe.

This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Job Summary

The Director, Grants and Financial Management will manage a team of 3 full-time employees who will focus primarily on the management of awards as well as the management of financial operations across the educational and clinical research missions of the Institute for Population and Precision Health (IPPH). Due to the cross-training of our Administrative Team to inform overall best practices, this position collaboratively provides comprehensive administrative and financial leadership within the Institute for Population and Precision Health (IPPH). Core responsibilities include managing pre-award activities for both federal and nonfederal sponsors, including the development, routing, and submission of grant proposals, contracts, and cooperative agreements. The role also oversees the financial management and reporting of a diverse portfolio of sponsored projects—such as Program Projects, Center grants, R01s, subcontracts, and Clinical Trials—as well as other institutional funds and philanthropic gifts. In addition, the position supports the financial planning to inform strategic oversight of a variety of programmatic, educational, and operational initiatives, both domestic and international. Key duties also include collaboratively preparing the Institute’s annual operating budget, its graduate education program in Precision Health, and directing the financial operations of an affiliated international non-governmental organization in Bangladesh.

Responsibilities

Grants, Contracts, and Clinical Trial Management

• Provides comprehensive, hands-on administration and support for IPPH-sponsored research, large multi-disciplinary grants, and clinical trials. Specifically, manages pre- and post-award activities for large, multi-institutional, multi-investigator program projects, center grants, and contracts.

• Maintains expert knowledge of evolving sponsor regulations and compliance requirements. Leads proactive planning to ensure departmental alignment with University, Divisional, and Department policies and procedures. Develops and implements strategic compliance frameworks and corrective action plans to address identified issues and mitigate institutional risk.

• Directs subcontract participants, including international institutions, to ensure that guidelines and requirements are met.

• Manages the grant and contract administration process from grant submission to award close-out.

• Provides strategic leadership to ensure consistent, high-quality service and communication to Principal Investigators (PIs) and research teams. Oversees the development and implementation of standardized processes, promotes best practices in research administration, and ensures institution-wide awareness and compliance with evolving grant policies and regulatory changes.

• Advises PIs, co-investigators, faculty, and research staff, and leads the development of all aspects of grant applications for both federal and non-federal funding agencies.

Financial Management

• Oversees the development, implementation, and administration of the annual budget, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and financial performance targets. Manages financial operations from both a systems and process perspective, identifying opportunities for improvement, enhancing efficiency, and supporting data-driven decision-making.

• Manages accuracy and timeliness of all fiscal and budgetary affairs, including the Institute’s operational budget and year-end close-out.

• Manages the preparation of financial statements, activity reports, financial position forecasts, and/or reports required for federal and private fundraising agencies.

• Ensures that all financial reports and disclosures comply with applicable governmental regulations, professional standards, and organizational policies.

• Plans, develops, analyzes, and manages budgets, including developing multi-year budget forecasts. May oversee the review, approval, and reporting of all expenditures on physical plant, goods and services, and costing allocations.

• Manages award compliance and participates in both internal and external audits.

International Non-Government Organization Management

• Collaboratively oversees the financial operations of University Research Bangladesh, which is an International Non-Government Organization that functions as a collaborative research hub for population and precision health.

• Maintains and support the planning and execution of financial strategy.

• Uses best practices and in-depth financial knowledge to assist in the preparation of annual budgets. Works with minimal guidance to provide analytical support for complex budget projects. Examines past budgets and researches economic and financial development.

• Reviews estimated expenditures. Develops expenditure projections and periodic budget variance reports. Prepares forecasts as well as analyses.

• Acts as a resource for team members, solves complex problems. Explains complex and sensitive information.

Other Responsibilities

• Manages a high-performing team by setting clear goals, providing direction and mentorship, establishing priorities, and fostering a collaborative environment. Identifies opportunities for team and process improvement, and drives the successful implementation of key initiatives and organizational change.

• Leads strategic communications with internal departments, University leadership, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment, transparency, and effective collaboration across institutional and partner initiatives.

• Manages the development, monitoring, and evaluation of a consolidated annual and intermediate (typically three- to five-year) budget plan and budget process for a unit, as well as actual performance against budget.

• Manages the preparation of financial statements, activity reports, financial position forecasts, and/or reports required by regulatory agencies.

• Manages, negotiates, and resolves financial compliance issues with various governmental agencies.

• Manages the preparation of audits and value-add financial analysis. Advises senior management on financial reporting requirements.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced Degree in a relevant field such as finance or business administration.

Experience:

• Five years of working experience in research administration.

• Leadership experience successfully managing people and projects, providing direction, setting priorities, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing major initiatives for change.

• Financial analysis and management experience.

• Experience working in a higher education research institution.

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.

• Knowledge of database management software.

• Proficiency in financial management and reporting software.

Preferred Competencies

• Expertise in accounting as well as demonstrating a high level of achievement in pre and post-award management in a university setting.

• A growth-oriented mindset that drives an exceptional ability to be self-directed as well as achieve in the team milieu.

• Strong knowledge of federal regulations and compliance requirements related to sponsored research (e.g., Uniform Guidance, FAR).

• Strong analytical and financial skills and the demonstrated ability to evaluate needs, synthesize findings, and present conclusions clearly.

• Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with diverse constituencies, including research faculty.

• Ability to successfully manage a workload that balances long-range planning with the unanticipated daily demands of managing a busy operation.

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Excellent staff management skills.

• Previous experience in a leadership or managerial role.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively and provide exceptional customer service.

• Commitment to the University of Chicago's mission and values.

Working Conditions

• Eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$110,000.00 - $150,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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