Post Award Analyst (Temporary)

Job Summary

The Post Award Analyst manages non-financial post-award administration for sponsored grants and contracts. Provides support to research faculty and project teams for: financial monitoring of active awards, forecasting, financial compliance assistance, coordinates award setup, payroll and expenditure assessment and support, budget adjustments, and support and tracking of closeout activities. Ensures transactions and award actions comply with sponsor terms, federal and state requirements, and University policies and procedures.

Duties & Essential Job Functions

1. Establishes and maintains sponsored awards and projects in award management systems, including award terms, budgets, reporting requirements, cost-sharing obligations, and other account setup parameters.
2. Participates in award kickoff activities and serves as a post-award resource to principal investigators (PIs) and project teams, providing guidance on appropriate use of sponsored funds, financial management responsibilities, and applicable award requirements.
3. Conducts routine review of sponsored project expenditures and budgets; analyzes expenditure queries, payroll distribution and commitments, available balances, and project burn rates; forecasts future spending and identifies financial issues requiring follow-up.
4. Communicates with PIs regarding spending patterns, budget-to-actual activity, projected balances, project-period limitations, and alignment of expenditures with the approved scope of work.
5. Reviews and coordinates post-award financial transactions and adjustments, sponsor prior-approval requirements, including cost transfers, payroll-related documentation, budget revisions, re-budgeting requests, carryover requests, and other award modifications, monitors requests through completion and ensuring appropriate supporting documentation and compliance with sponsor and University requirements.
6. Monitors award compliance requirements and administrative deadlines throughout the award lifecycle, including non-financial reporting milestones, and other sponsor or University requirements.
7. Coordinates post-award matters among Sponsored Programs, PIs/project teams, Human Resources, Accounts Payable, Research Accounting and Finance, and other University offices to resolve issues and support timely, accurate award administration.
8. Supports the issuance and ongoing administration of subawards, including coordination of required documentation, invoice review/approval routing, monitoring, and closeout activities consistent with award terms and University procedures.
9. Assists with award closeout activities; monitors awards approaching end dates; follows up on outstanding expenses and commitments, and ensures financial and administrative requirements are completed timely.
10. Supports post-award system implementation and process improvement activities, including PeopleSoft testing, transition planning, workflow development, documentation of procedures, and user support/training for PIs and Sponsored Programs staff.
11. Maintains accurate post-award records and creates clear, professional written communications, reports, and documentation in accordance with established procedures and quality standards.
12. Manages, leads, and completes special projects as assigned.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Four years of research and/or research administration experience in a university setting.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Experience managing post-award activities for a portfolio of sponsored grants and contracts.
• Experience with sponsored-project financial systems, preferably PeopleSoft or a comparable enterprise research administration/financial system.

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training

• None

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), or comparable research administration credential.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of post-award research administration, sponsored project financial management, and grant and contract management principles.
• Knowledge of 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and applicable federal, state, sponsor, and University policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of major federal sponsor requirements, including agencies such as NIH, NSF, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Defense, NASA, and other governmental sponsors.
• Knowledge of basic and intermediate accounting principles, including reconciliation, payroll distribution, cost transfers, budget revisions, forecasting, financial reporting, and award closeout.
• Skill in reviewing and analyzing financial data, identifying trends or discrepancies, projecting expenditures, and communicating recommended actions.
• Skill in using enterprise financial/research administration systems and reporting tools; proficiency with Microsoft Office and Windows.
• Ability to interpret award terms and conditions and apply sponsor and University requirements to post-award transactions and decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple sponsored projects and simultaneous deadlines with accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.
• Ability to provide responsive, high-quality customer service and to explain complex financial and compliance requirements clearly to faculty and staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, project personnel, Sponsored Programs colleagues, Human Resources, Accounts Payable, Finance, and external partners.
• Ability to develop and document procedures, support system testing and implementation, and contribute to operational process improvements.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

TCU Core Competencies

University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations)

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment

• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.

Employment Values Statement

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.