Aerospace Research Finance and Operations Senior Professional

Summary

Job Summary

Aerospace Engineering Sciences (AES), within CU Boulder's College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS), is seeking a Research Finance and Operations Senior Professional. This position will have oversight and implementation of all research administration, financial, payroll, procurement, and general processes for one or more assigned AES and affiliated research center(s). This position has the responsibility to ensure that assigned research centers align with all sponsors, university, and campus fiscal and HR policies and processes. This position will provide pre-award and post-award research support and management to Center Directors and the faculty and technical staff within the centers. In collaboration with the Aerospace Research Finance and Operations Assistant Director, this position partners with the Campus Controllers Office (CCO), Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG), the Human Resources Service Center (HRSC), and other campus offices and departments to ensure accurate procedures are followed and awards are properly managed.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

CU Boulder is the place for aerospace. Our students and faculty are pushing the limits of aeronautics and astronautics research, crafting next-generation aircraft, growing the possibilities of remote sensing, and building space instruments and satellites for orbit around Earth and beyond!

Our mission is to provide students the highest quality education in aerospace engineering sciences, emphasizing hands-on learning, and to conduct fundamental, applied, and interdisciplinary research to meet societal needs through analysis, design, and implementation of aerospace systems, using connections between aerospace engineering and related sciences. We are home to 56-tenure track, research, and instructional faculty, over 500 graduate students and 1,000 undergraduates.

Responsibilities

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Research Budget and Grant Management and Financial Compliance:

• Provide ongoing oversight of the research operations for one or more of the AES research centers, as assigned by the Aerospace Research Finance and Operations Assistant Director.
• Work with the faculty to forecast future years of research expenditures. Analyze the actuals to forecasts and makes updates as necessary.
• Build and manage monthly expense budgets. Provide budgetary oversight and determine options to resolve any issues.
• Responsible for arrangements between Principal Investigators (PI) and OCG Proposal Analysts in the proposal submission process.
• Ensure research grants follow federal, state, university, and campus fiscal policies and processes.
• Prepare research proposal budgets in coordination with PI's.
• Monitor all research, general, auxiliary, gift, and plant monthly financial statements to ensure accurate use of funds and to prevent deficits.
• Process transfers to correct compliance issues or to alleviate deficits.
• Administer sub-contracts from initial set-up to closeout. Create monthly reports required by sub-contracts.
• Create monthly reports for each PI to forecast future expenditures and payroll.
• Request fabrication speed types and manage reporting and logging of Permanent Equipment.
  
  

Administrative Management And Planning

• Advise and support faculty with interpretation and application of sponsor and campus policies and procedures.
• Assist faculty with the annual evaluation of research faculty and university staff.
• Manage faculty interactions with the Office of International Education.
• Exercise management authority in providing overall staff support for Center Directors, focusing on day-to-day research administration.
• Oversee assigned projects requested by faculty.
• Coordinate space and office requests for faculty. Assign space to research associates and graduate research assistants.
  
  

Payroll Oversight And Compliance

• Work with the HR Service Center, Payroll and Benefit Services, and Graduate School to administer all research faculty hires and non-faculty personnel hiring, personnel data entry, funding, and termination.
• Advise faculty as to which position types to use to hire new employees, recommend salaries for new research associates/postdocs and university staff, and determine salaries for student assistants.
• Serve as the point of contact with the Registrar for graduate student tuition remission.
• Assist faculty in administering multi-year fellowships, forecast for future fellowship appointments, and monitor for compliance. This guidance to the PIs includes decisions about hiring, funding, termination, and tuition remission.
  
  

Procurement, Travel And Expense Management

• Act as liaison between center personnel and the CEAS Finance Service Center (FSC).
• Support, as needed, engagement with the FSC for procurement and travel requests and reimbursement.
• Be responsible for the review of outstanding expense reports and follow-up with cardholders to ensure their expenses are submitted to the FSC in time to avoid penalties from the Procurement Services Center (PSC).
• Oversee, as needed, the procurement of goods and services using a university-issued procurement card.
  
  

Department Administration And Other Duties

• Support the planning and execution of major department events. This includes, but is not limited to, graduation ceremonies and receptions, AeroBuff Club events, and projects symposia.
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Stay apprised and current on relevant University and State of Colorado policies and procedures.
• Participate in professional development activities and serves on unit, college or campus committees as applicable.
  
  

What You Should Know

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work modality, consistent with the College of Engineering and Applied Science Hybrid Work Policy .

What We Can Offer

The starting salary range for this position is $66,300 - $74,715. Relocation assistance is available within department guidelines.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements

Be authentic. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Three years of relevant professional-level experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
  
  

What You Will Need

• Budgeting, forecasting, accounting, and research management skills.
• Understanding and application of internal control processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple, concurrent and complex tasks.
• Creative problem solver with strong critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team.
• Sensitivity to and appreciate of cultural, political, and geographical differences, with the ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students from around the world.
  
  

What We Would Like You To Have

• Five years of relevant professional-level experience.
• Experience with contract accounting and administration.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft Finance and HR, and Cognos Reporting.
• Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, and fiscal principles and practices in a higher education environment, including budgeting and fund accounting.
• Demonstrated excellent customer service and the ability to establish and maintain effective and trusting working relationships with faculty, administrators, and staff.
  
  

Special Instructions

To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials

• A current resume.
• A cover letter that briefly describes how your background and experience align with this position.
  
  

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by March 18, 2025 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.