Financial Research Coordinator

ESSIC Business Office Coordinator The Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) seeks a highly organized and personable professional with exceptional attention to detail to join ESSIC Business Office team. The position is responsible for assisting the Director of Finance and Administration and the Assistant Directors with day to day operations of the Pre-Award and Post Award operations of the ESSIC federally sponsored awards (Grants and Cooperative Agreements) financial activities, proposal preparation, and administrative support. This position is responsible for efficiently maintaining sponsored award and accounts/projects, creating expense and salary (PAA) transfers, creating costing allocation changes for grant related effort, tracking grant cycle deadlines, posting and monitoring expenses through Workday, monitoring sponsored awards, and reviewing and approving internal and externally funded travel. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Oversee the preparation of sponsored research proposals for the department, working directly with the Proposal Manager and Professional Track Faculty (PTK) to develop research proposals, including preparing budgets and other cost estimates, collating subaward documents, and handling non-technical documents. Ensure all aspects of proposal development and budgets comply with sponsor, federal, and UMD regulations. Enter proposals into electronic submission platforms, including but not limited to Kuali Research, NSPIRES, and Grants.gov Workspace. Support the Proposal Manager in maintaining internal proposal tracking systems and communications with the Office of Research Administration (ORA). Handle daily proposal inquiries and perform other duties as assigned. Efficiently maintain all consultant agreements and change orders for department, including initiating consultant setup process, interfacing between the Department/PI, Procurement Office, and consultants, performing monthly tracking of all invoices and payments for internal and sponsored projects and contracts. Review and approve externally funded travel in travel system to ensure compliance with department, campus, State and Federal regulations. Run monthly travel compliance reports and work with travelers to complete required actions. Create costing allocation changes for grant related effort and payroll transfers (PAAs) as needed to adhere to adjusted budgets, late awards, grant overages, grant surplus, and other adjustments for payroll. Efficiently manage and maintain 30+ sponsored award (UMD as Prime) activities for department, including initiating Task Account setup process, performing monthly tracking of all contract and subaward invoicing and payments, modifications and close-outs for all sponsored projects and contracts. Create expense transfers as needed to adhere to adjusted budgets, late awards, grant overages, grant surplus, and FFR adjustments. Create expense transfers provided by Director of Administrative Services. Track grant deadlines for grant lifecycle and reporting. Coordinate grant review meetings between the PI and Business Manager for external funding meetings. Responsible for initial worktag set up and modifications, setting up budget in BA Priority system, and creating digital and/or paper grant folder. Meet regularly with supervisor to maintain and communicate ongoing updates. Other duties as assigned. Physical Demands: Office environment setting with majority of time spent working at a computer. Ability to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Repetitive motions, which include substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Required close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing computer terminals, extensive reading. Light lifting of materials and supplies, less than 10 lbs. Ability to move about campus to attend meetings/events. Licenses/Certifications: N/A Minimum Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Experience: One (1) year of professional budget, finance, or accounting experience. Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education. Knowledge of finance functions. Skill in oral and written communication. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Suite products. Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments. Ability to analyze situations and determine the best solutions. Required Application Materials 1. Cover Letter 2. Resume 3. List of Three (3) Reference Contacts Best Consideration Date: March 4, 2026 Open Until Filled: Yes

Created: 2026-03-10