Financial Specialist Senior

Job Profile: Financial Analyst 2 Job Family: Budget, Planning and Financial Analysis Time Type: Full time Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved. Job Profile Summary: Performs routine and operational financial analysis, reporting, and systems development in support of other financial activities within the institution. Performs commitment analysis, variance analysis (actual vs budget); revenue and expense projections/forecasts. May have interactions outside department, as functionally required. Job Description: Position Salary Range: • $50,823-$63,000 per year; DOE Job Description: The School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering (SBHSE) is seeking a collaborative and service-oriented Financial Specialist to join its Research Advancement team. This position provides financial management and post-award support for sponsored research projects while partnering with faculty and university stakeholders to ensure responsible stewardship of research funding. Individuals with experience or interest in research administration and financial management are encouraged to apply for this opportunity within ASU's School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering (FSE). The Research Advancement team provides financial oversight and administration of sponsored grants and contracts while partnering closely with faculty conducting innovative research that addresses today's most pressing global challenges. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of financial management principles, a commitment to exceptional customer service, and a continuous improvement mindset. At ASU, you'll join a collaborative research enterprise that values innovation, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service. This position offers opportunities to expand your expertise in research administration, contribute to operational improvements, and advance within one of the nation's leading public research universities. This is a mid-career professional position (Level 3 of 7) reporting to the Research Advancement Manager. This role offers opportunities to take on increasingly complex responsibilities based on performance, with potential career growth into specialized areas of research administration or supervisory leadership. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities The successful candidate will demonstrate: • Knowledge of sponsored financial management, including post-award administration (including awards funded by the National Institute of Health), budgeting, forecasting, cost share requirements, and Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost principles, and financial reporting. • Knowledge of federal regulations governing sponsored research, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), audit requirements, and sponsor-specific policies for agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and other federal and non-federal sponsors. • Understanding of institutional financial and electronic research administration (eRA) systems, accounting platforms, and reporting tools. • Ability to analyze complex financial data, identify discrepancies, and apply corrective actions. • Ability to apply allowability, allocability, and reasonableness standards to sponsored project expenditures. • Ability to prepare accurate and compliant financial reports, invoices, and reconciliations under strict deadlines. • Skill in interpreting sponsor guidelines and translating them into operational steps for faculty and staff. • Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment. • Excellent communication and customer service skills with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial audiences. • Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, university partners, and external sponsors. • Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, initiative, and attention to detail. • Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, process optimization, and operational excellence. Essential Duties • Manage post-award financial activities for designated sponsored projects, including award setup, budget allocation, expenditure monitoring, monthly account reconciliations, and closeout. • Prepare, review, and revise project budgets, including budget justifications, re-budgets, and multiyear financial planning. • Prepare and submit sponsor financial reports and invoices, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with award terms and conditions. • Monitor expenditures for allowability, allocability, and consistency, identifying issues and implementing corrective actions. • Review and approve financial transactions, such as cost transfers, payroll allocations, journal entries, procurement, and subaward invoices. • Manage cost share commitments, including tracking, documentation, reporting, and ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements. • Provide financial forecasting and portfolio analysis (burn rates, projections, variance analysis) to support faculty decision-making. • Manage closeout processes, ensuring timely final reconciliations, final reports, and compliance documentation. • Collaborate with pre-award, compliance, departmental, and central finance units to ensure accuracy and consistency across the award lifecycle. • Serve as a financial resource, providing guidance on sponsored project financial policies, procedures, and best practices. Desired Qualifications: • Experience in research administration, particularly post-award financial management. • Demonstrated experience managing cost share commitments, tracking, documentation, and reporting. • Experience interpreting and applying Uniform Guidance, federal agency terms, and audit requirements. • Advanced skill in budget development, multi-year financial planning, and scenario modeling. • Experience managing complex sponsored project portfolios with multiple funding sources. • Proficiency with institutional financial systems, eRA platforms, and automated reporting tools. • Strong analytical skills, including financial forecasting and variance analysis. • Experience with effort reporting, payroll certification, and related compliance requirements. • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, researchers, and cross-functional administrative units. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly. • Experience working in environments with competing deadlines, sensitive information, and frequent priority changes. Working Environment: • Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse (75%); required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work (10%). • Infrequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds (5%). • Communicate effectively, comprehend information, and perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. • Regular use of standard office equipment including but not limited to: computer workstation/laptop (keyboard, monitor, mouse), printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone and associated computer/technology peripherals. Flexible Work Options ASU is a diverse enterprise with a wide variety of work and learning modes, locations, and a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and employee work-life balance. We are determined to maintain our position as an employer of choice in a competitive labor market. • SBHSE supports a hybrid work arrangement where employees spend a minimum of 60% of their regular workweek at their primary ASU work location, subject to review and approvals per ASU policy. Department Statement: At the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, we are delivering a world-class learning experience for our students and advancing research and innovation — all at scale. The Fulton Schools research enterprise leads use-inspired research and key national initiatives, including the Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub, accelerating microelectronics and workforce development for the Department of Defense. We also lead the Electrified Processes for Industry Without Carbon Clean Energy Manufacturing Institute, supported by the Department of Energy, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and strengthen manufacturing. Additionally, we lead an NSF Engineering Research Center developing sustainable civil infrastructure and partner with another ERC advancing clean water technology. The Fulton Schools hosts numerous research centers that leverage faculty expertise to drive engineering innovation and entrepreneurship across four interdisciplinary impact areas: Climate Technology Solutions, Competitive Manufacturing in an Advanced Economy, National and Economic Security, and Technology-Enhanced Health and Medicine. Our faculty are achieving excellence at scale, positioning the Fulton Schools among the nation’s top engineering colleges for invention disclosures, U.S. patents, and startups. We are an engineering school on the rise at the nation’s most innovative university, situated in the heart of its fastest-growing metropolitan area. The breadth of our faculty’s research interests and interdisciplinary approach, along with over 55+ graduate and 28 undergraduate degree programs, creates a strong foundation for collaboration and the advancement of ideas that contribute to a more sustainable and livable global future. The Fulton Schools of Engineering is driven by core values that define our approach, distinguish our practice, and guide daily decisions in academics, research, corporate partnerships, and entrepreneurship. These values shape how we recognize, reward, and communicate success. At the Fulton Schools of Engineering, we: • Cultivate excellence. • Deliver innovation that matters. • Encourage bold thinking. • Foster a community of learning and collaboration. • Build a foundation for all to be successful. Driving Requirement: Driving is not required for this position. Location: Campus: Tempe Funding: No Federal Funding Instructions to Apply: Current employees, student workers seeking staff opportunities, and students applying for student worker positions must apply directly through the Workday Jobs Hub. Please use the link below to log in using single sign-on. https://www.myworkday.com/asu/d/inst/1$9925/9925$26932.htmld To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments: • Cover letter • Resume or CV Multiple documents may be uploaded in the attachments section. Alternatively, applicants may combine all required materials into a single PDF for submission. Please ensure uploaded documents are clearly labeled and include your name. Please ensure your resume includes all employment information in month and year format, for example 6/04 to 8/14, along with job title, job duties, and employer name for each position. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and background meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Incomplete applications or missing required materials may not be considered. Important: Do not withdraw your application to make edits. Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be edited, reactivated, or replaced with a new submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact The Office of Human Resources Talent Acquisition before the posting close date. Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience. Only electronic applications will be accepted for this position. By submitting an application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete. 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