Principal Grant Finance Administrator in Riverside, California at University of California, Riverside
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Job Description
Overview
Job ID 37560228
Category Research and Development
Organization Research Innovation & Economic Development
Department Research & Economic Dvlpmt
Location Main Campus - UCR
Salary $84,100 - $154,700
Date Posted June 16, 2026
Application Deadline Open Until Filled
Schedule 8AM - 5PM
Full/Part Time Full-time(100%)
Level of Supervision Direction
Personnel Program Code Professional & Support Staff
Other Information Qualifies for Employee Referral Bonus: No
UC Internal Job: No
Position Information
Reporting to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, the Principal Grant Finance Administrator will have primary oversight for management of administrative, financial, and technical aspects related to the contract and grant activities for assigned Principal Investigators (PIs) within various units under Research and Economic Development (RED), including both pre-award proposal preparation and post-award financial analysis and management. In the pre-award phase, the incumbent plays a critical role in proposal submissions, ensuring alignment with sponsor guidelines, institutional policies, and unit objectives. This includes coordinating large-scale funding opportunities that involve both multi-investigator and multi-institutional proposals. The role requires working closely with PIs to provide clear, strategic guidance on the full range of proposal components, developing detailed and comprehensive budgets, and securing necessary internal approvals. The incumbent must exercise strong independent judgment and advanced problem-solving skills to navigate the complexities of multiple stakeholders, varying sponsor requirements, and high-stakes, high-complexity proposals. In the post-award phase, the incumbent independently manages financials across multi-institutional collaborations, overseeing complex budget management, trend analysis, and preparing comprehensive financial reports that track spending patterns, capture statistics, and ensure proper reconciliation of costs across projects within assigned portfolios. The incumbent proactively resolves financial issues, provides data-driven recommendations, and ensures compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements. The role requires a high degree of autonomy in managing complex financial transactions, and the incumbent may also guide less experienced staff in navigating grant financial tasks. In addition, the incumbent will provide support with general RED Research Centers and other RED unit reporting needs.Please be advised that candidates may be required to provide work samples and/or take a skills assessment as part of the interview process. This position may have the ability to work remotely a majority of the time, with the ability to come to campus as needed. The frequency of in-person work may vary and/or change as departmental needs fluctuate.The full salary range for the Principal Grant Finance Administrator is $84,100 - $154,700 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $110,000 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Requirements
Educational Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. | Required |
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 6 - 10 years of related experience. | Required |
| Minimum 6 years of experience in post-award financial management within research administration, specifically in contracts and grants. | Required |
| Minimum of 6 years of experience in quantitative data analysis and reporting related to post-award financial management, using spreadsheet and database applications. | Required |
| Experience with research proposal preparation for submission of contract and grant proposals to federal agencies | Required |
| Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and location regulations and issues related to research administration. Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance and OMB Circulars. | Required |
| Experience using UCR financial and administrative systems. | Preferred |
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) | Preferred |
| Special Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Occasional travel for university related business meetings, conferences and/or professional development. | Required |
| Full knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration. |
| Maintains knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional and departmental policies. Knowledge of current compliance regulations in all areas of research administration. |
| Ability to manage high volume and complex transactions. |
| Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas. |
| Demonstrated advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles. |
| Ability to interpret policy for others. |
| Advanced knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc. |
| Advances knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedure and techniques. |
| Advanced ability to create and train grant writing and other communication skills in a variety of styles to ensure securing grant funding required. |
| Experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, cooperative agreements. |
| Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting. |
| Demonstrated advanced competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports. |
| Extensive knowledge of program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment. |
Additional Information
In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.
UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.
- UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
- UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
- UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
- Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
- Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
- UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview