Director, Extramural Funds Accounting

The Director serves as UC ANR's subject-matter expert on post-award financial management and leads efforts to strengthen and improve the function. The position assesses organizational needs, evaluates the effectiveness and delivery of post-award services, identifies gaps and opportunities, and develops solutions to best support UC ANR's evolving needs.

Department Summary:

The UC ANR Office of the Controller and Business Services provides leadership, technical expertise, and strategic support in financial and business services across UC ANR. The office is responsible for organization-wide business services, financial policy, compliance and internal controls, audit coordination, business contracts, and financial services. It partners with departments across UC ANR and the University of California to support effective, responsible, and service-oriented business operations.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

This position reports directly to the UC ANR Controller. The selected candidate may designate either Oakland, CA, or Davis, CA, as their primary work location. The position currently follows a hybrid work schedule requiring a minimum of two days per week on-site, with additional on-site presence and travel between locations as needed based on business needs.

Pay Scale: $101,600/year to $145,700/year

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 10/12/2026.

Key Responsibilities:

35%

Post-Award Financial Governance and Oversight

Provides leadership, governance, and oversight for UC ANR's post-award financial management of sponsored awards. Establishes standards and controls to promote effective financial stewardship, accurate and timely financial reporting, and compliance with sponsor requirements, applicable regulations, and University policies. Monitors post-award financial activities and provides guidance and oversight in resolving complex accounting, compliance, and audit matters.

30%

Strategic Leadership and Program Development

Provides strategic leadership and direction for Extramural Funds Accounting. Establishes goals, priorities, governance, roles and responsibilities, and service expectations for post-award financial management. Provides guidance and support to UC ANR fiscal officers and other stakeholders. Assesses organizational needs and the effectiveness of post-award services and develops strategies and solutions to strengthen post-award financial management across UC ANR.

20%

Strategic Consultation and Collaboration

Serves as a key resource to UC ANR leadership and stakeholders on post-award financial matters. Provides guidance on complex accounting, financial, and compliance issues. Builds effective partnerships across UC ANR and the University to strengthen post-award financial management, improve coordination, and facilitate timely resolution of issues.

10%

Policy, Process, and Systems Improvement

Leads the development and improvement of policies, procedures, systems, and business processes supporting post-award financial management. Identifies and implements opportunities to strengthen internal controls, clarify roles and responsibilities, improve efficiency and service delivery, and enhance operational effectiveness.

5%

Other Duties

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in post-award sponsored research administration, contracts and grants accounting, or financial management of sponsored awards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles and regulations applicable to sponsored awards, including GAAP and federal requirements such as Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200).
• Experience leading and developing professional staff, including setting priorities, managing performance, and building effective teams.
• Thorough interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex financial operations, internal controls, compliance, and audit-related matters.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex requirements, resolve financial and compliance issues, and build effective relationships with leadership and organizational partners.
• Broad service orientation skills; proven ability to multi-task effectively in a varied, high-volume environment; sound judgment and decision-making skills; and reasoning ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.

Preferred Skills:

• Accounting or finance leadership experience within higher education or a research institution.
• Experience leading significant process, systems, or organizational improvements related to post-award administration.
• Experience with large-scale financial or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Relevant professional certification, such as CPA.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
  1. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
     • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
     • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
     • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace