[Hiring] Manager, Sponsored Projects Accounting and Reporting @Georgetown University

Role Description

Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Sponsored Projects Financial Operations (SPFO), the Manager of Sponsored Projects Accounting and Reporting supports the tactical, strategic, and operational objectives of SPFO regarding externally funded projects. The Manager serves as the operational leader of the centralized core functional unit driving sponsor billing, financial reporting, award setup review, and award closeout across the University’s sponsored research enterprise.

Operating within a matrix structure, the Manager promotes business continuity, workload redundancy, and consistent service standards across distributed SPFO functions. To maintain advanced technical expertise and support effective operational oversight, the Manager actively maintains direct, hands-on management of a portfolio consisting of the University’s most sensitive, complex, or high-risk sponsored awards.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Oversight & Technical Review: Directs day-to-day accounting and reporting operations, including centralized sponsor billing, financial reporting, and closeout processes ensuring compliance with the terms of the awards and applicable laws, regulations, and university policies.
• Leadership, Matrix Coordination & Customer Service: Provides operational leadership and functional oversight for the SPFO Financial Analysts team, supporting coordinated sponsored billing, reporting, and closeout activities across SPFO. Serves as a key resource to faculty, principal investigators, Senior Business Manager, Finance staff, and departmental staff while partnering with leadership to improve workflow efficiency, operational coordination, and staff development and process optimization.
• Quality Assurance, Continuity & Audit Assistance: Maintains hands-on operational expertise through direct management of complex sponsored awards while supporting quality assurance, cross-training, business continuity, audit readiness, and sponsor review activities across SPFO.
• Financial System Management: Ensures financial-related information is accurately accounted for and proper documentation is maintained within the University’s Financial System, including the review and approval of award setup and modification requests.
• Additional Duties: Participates in special projects, strategic initiatives, and operational improvement efforts, as assigned by the Senior Director. This position will have direct reports under its supervision.

Work Interactions

The Manager directly reports to the Senior Director of SPFO. This position operates as a matrix leader, working daily with SPFO staff, Principal Investigators (PIs), Grant Managers, Department Administrators, Senior Business Managers, Office of Joint Research Administration (JORA) staff, and the GMS Core Team. Externally, the Manager acts as a key liaison with Federal agencies, other government organizations, and private sponsors to resolve complex billing/reporting related matters.

Impact

This position plays a key role in supporting the University’s sponsored financial stewardship, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance by ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant sponsor billing, financial reporting, award setup, and closeout activities across the sponsored award lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) or Certified Research Administrator (CRA) designation preferred but not required.
• Five to seven years of relevant experience in sponsored projects accounting, financial reporting, or grants management, preferably in a higher education or research institution setting.
• Strong understanding of Federal regulations and compliance requirements related to sponsored projects.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to train and develop staff.
• Exceptional organizational skills, high attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining data integrity under tight operational deadlines.
• Strong analytical, financial tracking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify systemic errors and propose operational solutions.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, paired with strong interpersonal capabilities to work collaboratively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance, federal agency, and external sponsor accounting and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of complex accounting system, WorkDay preferred.

Work Mode Designation

This position has been designated as Remote. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University. Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation.

Pay Range

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $54,616.00 - $100,493.33. Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance.
• Retirement savings.
• Tuition assistance.
• Work-life balance benefits.
• Employee discounts and an array of voluntary insurance options.

EEO Statement

GU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability, family responsibilities, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, matriculation, national origin, race, religion, personal appearance, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.