Research Financial Services Manager [CAMPUS ONLY recruitment]

This is a CAMPUS ONLY recruitment. Only current employees, or former employees with current Preferential Rehire rights will be considered for this position. Former employees with Preferential Rehire rights should apply through the external candidate gateway and identify themselves as such in their application to be considered for this position.

Current UCSC employees must apply to the job posting in the Internal Candidate Gateway. If you accessed this recruitment through the Internal UCSC gateway, you can apply via the "Apply" button at the bottom of this job posting. If you accessed this recruitment through the external gateway, you should access the internal job posting by going to the weblink and clicking the "Internal Staff Applicants" button.

If you are a current UCSC employee and apply through the External Candidate Gateway, you will not be considered for this position.

This position may be considered for partial or full remote work, subject to the terms of a telecommuting agreement, with the potential need to come to campus for meetings on occasion. While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working in person at a UCSC worksite.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the on our website.

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, .

The IRD for this job is: 06-01-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Office of Research has primary responsibility for research policy, planning and administration of the UC Santa Cruz Research enterprise. The Office of Research supports the research community through six units: the Office of Sponsored Projects, Research Development, Office of Research Compliance Administration, Research Financial Services, Innovation and Business Engagement, and the Office of Research Business & Operations.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Executive Director of Research Financial Services (RFS), the supervisor will supervise a team of research administrators (RA) responsible for the day-to-day financial and administrative management of both intra- and extramural funds supporting a faculty member/researcher's research activities. This individual is expected to provide and promote excellent customer service, analyze problems, develop solution options, and coordinate the resolution of issues by working together with internal and external constituents.

This position is a member of the RFS leadership team and is expected to support escalations and decision-making, and may provide leadership backup in the Executive Director's absence. In addition, the position will provide policy and compliance guidance and expertise to their team, RFS, faculty, and campus partners. This individual understands and effectively implements sponsor, UC, and campus policies and processes, ensures appropriate commitment of resources, coordinates review and adherence to compliance requirements, and assesses and responds to risk.

This position will also manage a number of Principal Investigator (PI) portfolios using advanced skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently monitor, reconcile, and manage research funding from a variety of sources, including sponsored awards, gifts, and other non-sponsored funding, in compliance with UC, institution, and sponsor policies. This individual works on and supports staff who are working on awards of diverse scope, which require a thorough understanding and application of complex regulations to minimize risk and ensure compliance. This position works independently to assess complex grant, contract and subcontract transactions where analysis requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. May serve as a technical specialist in a particular area, such as a specific federal agency, type of funding mechanism, or information systems.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $120,000 - $128,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 006216 (Contracts and Grants Supervisor 2) - Grade 24

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

25% - Financial Award Management and Reporting

• Organizes, plans, establishes, and monitors fiscal budget control of sponsored awards, gifts, and other institutionally-funded projects for faculty research programs.
• Authorizes the establishment of fund accounts, including relevant activity codes, and coordinates approval with other authorized campus partners.
• Reviews, reconciles, monitors, and forecasts project expenses against complex project budgets and campus financial system records.
• Develops and distributes timely financial reports to Principal Investigators (PIs) to support accurate and informed project management and financial decision-making.
• Independently gathers information as needed to perform financial analysis.
• Anticipates when project expenditures vary beyond award flexibilities, and provides guidance for actions requiring coordination with sponsors and campus authorized officials.
• Assists in support of audit as directed by senior staff.
• Ensures the accuracy of records and financial files and that all appropriate documentation and authorizations are maintained to comply with federal and state agencies and university regulations.
• Ensures complete and accurate collection of research management and administration data at all stages of the contract and grant life cycle.
• Independently oversees closeout of extramural and intramural fund accounts at the end of the period, as needed.
• Supports the preparation of proposal and award documents and reports that are required by sponsor guidelines, as needed.

25% - Supervision

• Provides direct supervision to research administrators.
• In conjunction with the leadership team, develops and implements internal unit procedures, exercises independent judgement to ensure unit objectives align with departmental and organizational goals. Establishes clear unit priorities, communicates expectations, and ensures accountability across assigned functions.
• Independently assigns, directs, delegates, and prioritizes staff activities, tasks and projects effectively. Monitors progress to ensure deadlines and customer service expectations are met. Revises work assignments as needed to ensure an even distribution of work.
• Reviews staff work for accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and adherence to standards. Provides guidance and subject-matter expertise to staff performing specialized tasks. Independently conducts performance evaluations and establishes measurable goals. Meets with staff on a regular basis. Provides coaching and feedback to team members.
• Identifies training needs and provides formal or on-the-job training to ensure subject matter knowledge in appropriate areas (e.g., sponsored project administration, post-award administration, etc.) and standards of performance. Participates in the development and maintenance of department training and reference materials. Coordinates professional development opportunities with the leadership team.
• Exercises independent judgment to initiate and effectively recommend disciplinary actions in compliance with university policies, collective bargaining agreements and campus procedures.
• Exercises independent judgment in making effective hiring recommendations, including selecting finalists and making the final hiring decision for unit staff.
• Makes recommendations for salary actions.
• Communicates regularly with OR leadership on unit activities and on pertinent operational or human resources issues.

15% - Policy Administration

• Reviews award documentation for terms and conditions, and identifies any specific restrictions.
• Advises principal investigators on the proper use of funds according to funder, institutional, and UC guidelines and policies. Reviews policies for discrepancies, formulates strategies and recommends changes.
• Provides support, expertise, and guidance to other RFS team members, principal investigators, and research support staff.
• Analyzes and applies agency guidelines and University policy when approving expenditures, including direct pays, purchase orders, and travel reimbursements. Controls, through approval, expenditures on restricted funds, and provides direction to principal investigators and research groups.
• Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in research administration.

20% - Communication and Customer Service

• Provides guidance and counsel on research administration matters, including compliance regulations, to RFS staff, principal investigators, senior divisional administrators, and relevant campus partners.
• Develops training materials and provides training to RFS staff, principal investigators, and research staff on topics of expertise.
• Communicates regularly with principal investigators and divisional liaisons to ensure continuity of support, timely response, and resolution of inquiries and award actions.
• Serves as the first point of contact for portfolio management as assigned.
• Coordinates with the Office of Research, Extramural Funds Accounting, and other campus partners to resolve complex issues.

15% - Process Administration

• Performs Tier 2 level approvals of financial transactions, often initiated by Principal Investigators (PIs).
• Advises divisional payroll teams on the appropriate distribution of principal investigator salary to grant funds (e.g., summer salary, sabbatical, and career award allocations) and monitors salary savings allocations to faculty.
• Manages cost transfers and adjustments to ensure costs comply with sponsor and university policy.
• Monitors direct and indirect costs, initiates adjustments, and advises PIs on available balances. Identifies and correct