Grants Accounting Assistant Director

Grants Accounting Assistant Director

Research Financial Services (RFS) is seeking an experienced financial administration and operational leader to serve as Assistant Director, Sponsored Projects Financial Administration. This position provides strategic and operational leadership for core sponsored projects financial administration functions, including billing, financial reporting, new account creation, and related post-award financial activities. As a member of the Research Financial Services leadership team, the Assistant Director works closely with fellow Assistant Directors and cross-functional partners to coordinate operations, address complex challenges, align priorities, and support the strategic goals of the organization.

The position is expected to exercise independent judgment, collaborate on office-wide initiatives, and contribute to solutions that support the overall success of Research Financial Services.

The Assistant Director oversees a large and complex operational area, establishing performance expectations, setting priorities, developing supervisors and staff, and promoting accountability and operational excellence. The position is responsible for evaluating operational results, identifying process gaps and recurring issues, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring effective execution of sponsored projects financial administration activities. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership, financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills and a demonstrated ability to lead teams, improve processes, and drive organizational results in a complex environment.

Experience in sponsored projects, grants management, higher education, or other highly regulated financial environments is beneficial; however, candidates with transferable experience in accounting, finance, financial operations, business administration, or operational management are encouraged to apply.

Working collaboratively with stakeholders across the institution, the Assistant Director serves as a subject matter expert and resource, supporting the consistent interpretation and application of policies, procedures, and operational expectations. Through stakeholder engagement, financial stewardship, and process improvement, this position plays a key role in advancing the effectiveness of Research Financial Services and supporting the University's sponsored projects mission. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule upon successful completion of the University's orientation and on-boarding requirements and requires regular on-site presence to support operational leadership, staff development, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
- Staff Leadership and Development;
Project and Operational Management;
Financial Administration;
Accounting;
Financial Analysis and Reporting;
Advanced Microsoft Excel; SAP;
Tableau;
Organizational Planning;
Process Improvement;
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking;
Business Writing;
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes

Preferred Education/Experience
- Management and supervision; financial administration, accounting, finance, or business operations; financial reporting, analysis, and operational performance management; process improvement and project planning; experience working in higher education, sponsored projects administration, or other complex and highly regulated operational environments preferred.

Final date to receive applications - 07/22/2026

Our University Community
- We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination.

The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources.

These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.