Director, Sponsored Project Accounting
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, United States
Position Summary
Under the limited direction of the Senior Director, the Sponsored Projects Accounting unit is responsible for the fiscal management of over $1 billion in annual sponsored expenditures associated with, on average, 8,000 plus projects and the cash management of sponsored programs, including billing and collections, financial reporting, and oversight of all closeout functions. The Director assists the Sr. Director and Executive Director in the development and implementation of short- and long-range planning for the Sponsored Project Accounting unit and helps to set the direction of sponsored program administration for the campus. The Director also provides accounting expertise to faculty and staff in the financial administration of sponsored project accounts, engages external constituents regarding audit and other fiscal compliance issues, and oversees day‑to‑day operations related to post‑award financial management. The Director supervises and mentors a team of accounting professionals—including 3 Managers who each supervise 4–8 Sponsored Project Accountants—providing support, advice, and fiscal services to the UNC Research community. The role supports deans, department chairs, center directors, faculty, and staff in sensitive, complex issues, interprets sponsor policies and government regulations, and manages staff financial review of sponsored programs and awards. The Director interacts with various campus and system-wide offices to facilitate fiscal management, administration, and conduct of sponsored programs, focusing on service excellence, continuous improvement, and compliance with policies, processes, and regulations. The Director enforces quality control by clarifying and enforcing standard operating procedures and staff accountability, monitors and reports on team productivity, and manages relationships with the UNC research community as an internal and external client liaison. The Director serves as a subject‑matter expert, advising OSP staff and the broader research community on financial administration, including grant accounting activities related to restricted and/or categorical funding, budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, and other related grant accounting services through closeout. The position requires 100% accuracy; any deviation negatively impacts future awards, revenue, and audit disallowances.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Masters with 2+ yrs supervisory experience and 7+ years of relevant experience; or Bachelors with 4+ yrs supervisory experience and 7+ years of relevant experience.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Selected candidate must demonstrate the following:
Ability to provide effective leadership to a team of professional staff in a multi‑functional, dynamic, fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment, including training; evaluating and managing employee performance; establishing individual and team goals; providing constructive and timely feedback regarding job performance; developing and monitoring professional development plans; and the ability to handle significant stress and a large workload.
Advanced ability to identify highly complex problems and implement appropriate solutions.
Advanced ability to rapidly review and accurately analyze policies, procedures, regulations, statutes and complex documents.
Advanced ability to interpret and explain policies, procedures, regulations, statutes and their underlying principles to a variety of audiences, including faculty, department chairs, deans, managers, staff, and external sponsors.
In‑depth knowledge of the organization’s operational, personnel, and financial transactions and systems related to the fiscal administration of contracts and grants.
Knowledge of research administration policies, procedures, and practices of federal and non‑federal sponsors.
Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices, and applicable Codes of Federal Regulations (including 2 CFR Part 200).
Experience in the use, development and implementation of management information systems.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment across organizational units and at all levels, including faculty, deans, central administration and senior institutional officials.
Excellent communication skills.
Customer‑focused; dedicated to providing optimum service to internal and external customers.
Highest level of professional and personal integrity.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Master of Business Administration or other relevant advanced degree.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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Under the limited direction of the Senior Director, the Sponsored Projects Accounting unit is responsible for the fiscal management of over $1 billion in annual sponsored expenditures associated with, on average, 8,000 plus projects and the cash management of sponsored programs, including billing and collections, financial reporting, and oversight of all closeout functions. The Director assists the Sr. Director and Executive Director in the development and implementation of short- and long-range planning for the Sponsored Project Accounting unit and helps to set the direction of sponsored program administration for the campus. The Director also provides accounting expertise to faculty and staff in the financial administration of sponsored project accounts, engages external constituents regarding audit and other fiscal compliance issues, and oversees day‑to‑day operations related to post‑award financial management. The Director supervises and mentors a team of accounting professionals—including 3 Managers who each supervise 4–8 Sponsored Project Accountants—providing support, advice, and fiscal services to the UNC Research community. The role supports deans, department chairs, center directors, faculty, and staff in sensitive, complex issues, interprets sponsor policies and government regulations, and manages staff financial review of sponsored programs and awards. The Director interacts with various campus and system-wide offices to facilitate fiscal management, administration, and conduct of sponsored programs, focusing on service excellence, continuous improvement, and compliance with policies, processes, and regulations. The Director enforces quality control by clarifying and enforcing standard operating procedures and staff accountability, monitors and reports on team productivity, and manages relationships with the UNC research community as an internal and external client liaison. The Director serves as a subject‑matter expert, advising OSP staff and the broader research community on financial administration, including grant accounting activities related to restricted and/or categorical funding, budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, and other related grant accounting services through closeout. The position requires 100% accuracy; any deviation negatively impacts future awards, revenue, and audit disallowances.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Masters with 2+ yrs supervisory experience and 7+ years of relevant experience; or Bachelors with 4+ yrs supervisory experience and 7+ years of relevant experience.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Selected candidate must demonstrate the following:
Ability to provide effective leadership to a team of professional staff in a multi‑functional, dynamic, fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment, including training; evaluating and managing employee performance; establishing individual and team goals; providing constructive and timely feedback regarding job performance; developing and monitoring professional development plans; and the ability to handle significant stress and a large workload.
Advanced ability to identify highly complex problems and implement appropriate solutions.
Advanced ability to rapidly review and accurately analyze policies, procedures, regulations, statutes and complex documents.
Advanced ability to interpret and explain policies, procedures, regulations, statutes and their underlying principles to a variety of audiences, including faculty, department chairs, deans, managers, staff, and external sponsors.
In‑depth knowledge of the organization’s operational, personnel, and financial transactions and systems related to the fiscal administration of contracts and grants.
Knowledge of research administration policies, procedures, and practices of federal and non‑federal sponsors.
Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices, and applicable Codes of Federal Regulations (including 2 CFR Part 200).
Experience in the use, development and implementation of management information systems.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment across organizational units and at all levels, including faculty, deans, central administration and senior institutional officials.
Excellent communication skills.
Customer‑focused; dedicated to providing optimum service to internal and external customers.
Highest level of professional and personal integrity.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Master of Business Administration or other relevant advanced degree.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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