Job Board

The Senior Director serves as the primary liaison between research contract pre-award and post-award, and collaborates with other relevant stakeholders, including Associate Deans of Research, the Office of Sponsored Programs, Financial Officers, and Research Administration. 

This position oversees the Research Accounting and Cost Analysis units within Office of Corporate Controller, including overseeing the development of the F&A rate proposal, evaluating space utilization, and overseeing approval of service center rates. This position will establish quality assurance measures and controls associated with the financial administration of grant and contract awards to enhance compliance and improve internal controls. This position establishes and continuously assesses the effectiveness of the internal controls within the unit and compliance with University policies and procedures. This position functions as the subject matter expert on certain research and financial policies. This position functions as the co-chair of the Administrative Committee on Research (ACOR) with the Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs. This position will review and revise the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Disclosure Statement (DS) for accuracy and consistency with university accounting methodologies. This position will also review and grant/deny F&A waivers on instruction and outreach related sponsored awards. This position will serve on the Individual Conflict of Interest (COI) Committee to review individual disclosure and develop COI management plans and provide guidance from a Corporate Controller's Office standpoint. This position reviews cost transfers for compliance with Research Administrative policies.

This position works closely with University partners to ensure processes, policies and procedures meet the needs and requirements of stakeholders, including research and finance administrators, and must demonstrate knowledge and mastery of broad concepts, policies and procedures related to Research Administration.  

They must possess:

• Advanced skills in accounting, research administration, and leadership and execution of objectives critical to the unit's success.

• High level of communication and diplomacy skills to cultivate and strengthen working relationships at all levels of the university, as well as with external stakeholders. Communication often involves significant and complex situations, and the successful candidate must be able to relay this information in a way that is objective and adaptive to the audience.

• Ability to solve complex, controversial, or unprecedented issues and problems, as well as demonstrate sound judgement by considering values, risks, impact, and implications of actions throughout the organization.

Education and Experience:

This position requires a Bachelor's Degree or higher with 10 years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

As a member of the Corporate Controller's Office, you will be joining a team of individuals who have the ambition to help Penn State succeed. Workforce diversity, cultural inclusiveness, and employment equity are deeply rooted in Penn State's historic mission. Just as we are committed to being a diverse educational environment, we are also committed to being a diverse working community. As a community, we endeavor to be a mixture of cultural backgrounds, life experiences, and individual perspectives that add variety and vitality to the workplace. The University believes that we can learn from each other's differences and break down the barriers that separate us. Penn State is a place where everyone can be themselves, together.

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