[Hiring] Associate Director of Research Personnel Compliance @Penn State University

Role Description

The Financial Analysis and Compliance Office (FACO) at Penn State is seeking an Associate Director of Research Personnel Compliance to provide operational leadership and oversight of labor-related post-award compliance activities across Penn State's $1.4 billion research enterprise. This position will be filled at the Research Financial Compliance Manager – Manager level. Since the role requires access to sensitive data and is subject to U.S. government contracting requirements, applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Reporting to the Director of FACO, this position leads the labor compliance function and serves as the senior operational authority for personnel and payroll compliance monitoring within the institutional framework established by FACO leadership. The Associate Director manages daily labor compliance operations and ensures the accurate, consistent, and compliant administration of personnel and payroll charges on sponsored programs. The role provides subject matter expertise in labor compliance, partners with colleges, research units, and central administrative offices, and escalates institution-wide policy and strategic matters to the Director.

In addition to labor compliance oversight, the Associate Director contributes to broader FACO initiatives and provides analytical support and guidance on non-personnel compliance matters as assigned.

Key Responsibilities

• Labor Compliance Operations
  • Supervise labor compliance staff and manage team workflows, priorities, and performance.
  • Oversee labor-related post-award compliance activities for sponsored programs.
  • Monitor and review labor transactions to ensure compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and University policy.
  • Lead quality assurance activities related to:
    • Labor distributions
    • Effort reporting and certification
    • Salary reallocations
    • Personnel cost transfers
    • Sponsor-imposed salary and payroll limitations
  • Provide guidance on complex payroll and effort issues requiring judgment beyond standard transactions.
  • Escalate high-risk, policy-driven, or institution-wide issues to the Director with recommended actions.
• Functional Leadership and Process Improvement
  • Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for payroll charge monitoring and effort commitments.
  • Promote consistency in labor compliance processes across colleges and research units.
  • Identify compliance risks and recurring issues and recommend improvements to policies, procedures, and internal controls.
  • Lead implementation of sustainable solutions that enhance compliance, audit readiness, and operational effectiveness.
  • Support broader FACO initiatives under the Director's strategic leadership.
• Data Analysis and Reporting
  • Oversee preparation and review of complex analytical reports using systems such as SIMBA (SAP/S/4HANA) and Workday.
  • Analyze trends, exceptions, and risk indicators to support compliance and operational decision-making.
  • Present findings and recommendations to FACO leadership.
  • Use data analytics and automation to identify anomalies, emerging risks, and patterns within large datasets.
  • Support development of repeatable, technology-enabled compliance analyses that improve efficiency and consistency.
• Collaboration and Institutional Partnership
  • Serve as a key resource for Strategic Finance Partner Teams, Research Administrators, Research Accounting, Human Resources, and other central offices on post-award labor compliance matters.
  • Advise units on complex payroll, labor distribution, and effort reporting issues.
  • Translate compliance and analytical findings into clear, actionable guidance for diverse stakeholders.
  • Promote consistent application of institutional standards while elevating policy and strategic interpretation questions to the Director.
• Audit and Advisory Support
  • Serve as a liaison for internal and external audits, reviews, and inquiries related to labor compliance on sponsored awards.
  • Coordinate audit preparation, record collection, and response activities.
  • Monitor audit findings and corrective actions through resolution.
  • Support institutional audit responses and long-term compliance follow-up efforts.
• Training, Outreach, and Continuous Improvement
  • Lead initiatives to improve accuracy, efficiency, and service delivery within the labor compliance function.
  • Develop and deliver training, guidance materials, and outreach based on unit needs and risk assessments.
  • Track and report team performance metrics to support accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Deliver targeted training using unit-specific data and examples and communicate complex compliance requirements to non-technical audiences.
  • Participate in FACO-wide training and outreach initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience in post-award research administration, including effort certification, salary cost allowability, and sponsor-specific labor requirements.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing compliance for externally sponsored grants and contracts, including post-award financial requirements, allowable costs, and personnel-related compliance obligations.
• Strong accounting, compliance, and analytical skills.
• At least 3 years of experience supervising full-time professional staff (officially managing their performance and approving absence requests in the system) and managing operational functions.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience with enterprise systems such as SIMBA (SAP/S/4HANA) and Workday preferred.
• Ability to analyze complex data, document methodologies, and communicate results effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 8+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

Benefits

• The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $91,488.00 - $137,280.00.
• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being, including:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Robust retirement plans
  • Substantial paid time off, including holidays, vacation, and sick time
  • Generous 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible spouses and children