Job Details

Grants & Contracts Officer

Position Number: 6706746
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Sponsored Programs, Grants, and Contracts

Grants & Contracts Officer

Job Summary

The University of Utah is one of the nation's premier public research universities, with more than $700 million in annual research expenditures and a bold trajectory toward $1 billion. The Office of Research Management & Compliance (RMC) serves as the University's central post-award finance and compliance unit-ensuring that research funding is managed in accordance with federal, sponsor, and institutional requirements while supporting the university's mission of discovery, innovation, and impact.

RMC partners closely with the Office of Sponsored Projects, the Controller's Office, and college- and institute-level research administration teams to provide financial stewardship, compliance oversight, and operational excellence across the post-award lifecycle. We are modernizing our systems, reimagining our service model, and investing in people and process innovation to sustain the University's growing research enterprise.
The Grants & Contracts Officer (GCO) plays a key tactical role within RMC's Financial Research Administration function. Working under the direction of a Senior GCO, GCOs are responsible for the financial management of sponsored projects, including billing, reconciliation, financial reporting, and sponsor liaison activities. These roles also work closely with colleagues in RMC's Core Finance unit to ensure financial reporting and cash draws are coordinated and timed appropriately, supporting both compliance and institutional cash flow.
Successful candidates demonstrate strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a customer service mindset that balances sponsor and institutional requirements. They are proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented-able to get to "yes" without compromising compliance. They are also intrinsically motivated, intellectually curious, and committed to continuous improvement in a complex research environment.
Placement within the GCO I-III levels will be determined based on the candidate's education, experience, and demonstrated competencies.

Responsibilities
Under general supervision, exercise sound judgement to:

Prepare, review, and issue invoices to sponsors in accordance with award terms, university policy, and federal regulations.
Reconcile project expenditures and balances, ensuring allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency of charges.
Perform and document periodic financial reviews; identify and correct errors or variances in a timely manner.
Prepare and submit accurate and timely financial reports to sponsoring agencies.
Coordinate proactively with RMC's Core Finance team to ensure cash draws, financial reporting, and receivables management are executed accurately and on schedule.
Communicate directly with sponsor representatives, departmental administrators, and principal investigators to resolve billing, reporting, or compliance issues.
Interpret sponsor and institutional policies; ensure transactions comply with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), FAR clauses, and sponsor-specific terms.
Support audits, internal reviews, and closeout activities by providing reconciliations and documentation.
Monitor aging receivables, assist in collections, and follow up on outstanding payments or credit memos.
Maintain accurate records in the University's financial and research systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, eAward, or equivalent).
Contribute to process improvement by identifying recurring issues, recommending solutions, and participating in training or testing for new tools and workflows.
Provide excellent customer service and foster constructive relationships with internal and external partners while upholding fiscal integrity and compliance.
Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to collaboration, consistency, and continuous learning.

Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:
Post-Award Grants & Contract Officer (GCO), I: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master's (or equivalency) degree.
Post-Award Grants & Contract Officer (GCO), II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.
Post-Award Grants & Contract Officer (GCO), III: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

All levels require demonstrated knowledge of fundamental accounting principles and proficiency in Microsoft Excel, financial reconciliations, and transaction review.
Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
Experience with sponsored projects administration, grant or contract accounting, or higher-education financial management.
Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), FAR Part 31, and sponsor-specific regulations (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOE).
Familiarity with PeopleSoft or comparable ERP/financial systems and comfort with data queries and reports.
Proven ability to analyze complex financial data, identify issues, and propose solutions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise guidance to non-financial audiences.
Demonstrated ability to balance customer service and compliance in a fast-paced environment, using a collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
Commitment to professional growth, continuous learning, and process improvement.
Intrinsic motivation, intellectual curiosity, and initiative-the qualities that enable GCOs to anticipate challenges, ask good questions, and identify solutions before they are requested.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN43513B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 5:00/ Flexible around core hours, hybrid available
Department: 00359 - Grants & Contracts Accounting
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $64,004 - $84,252
Close Date: 12/6/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/191656