Sponsored Programs Administrator

William & Mary · Mary · $70,000–$75,500 (stated in the posting)

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Job Requisition:

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Job Description Summary:

Job Description:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience (typically 2-4 years) in accounting, finance, or research administration.

• Proven experience using an automated financial or accounting system.

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor rules and regulations related to grants and contracts.

• Strong working proficiency in a variety of computer applications including advanced knowledge of automated accounting/financial systems.

• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, independently, resolve issues effectively, and exercise sound judgment when making decisions.

• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate with a varied constituency (e.g., senior faculty researchers, technical staff, students, departmental fiscal personnel, and representatives from external agencies).

• Strong organizational skills, with the demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple priorities concurrently with competing deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or other closely related field.

• Demonstrated experience in sponsored programs administration at an institution of higher education.

• Experience using Banner or Workday (finance/accounting module) and/or Cayuse.

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations governing grants/contracts including 2 CFR 200 (Uniformed Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), with the demonstrated ability to interpret guidelines, regulations, and complex documents and apply policies and procedures.

• Strong proficiency with web-based proposal, payment, and awards management systems (e.g., FastLane, grants.gov) or other similar web-based applications.

• Knowledge of Commonwealth of VA state university policies.

• Advanced knowledge of university accounting systems is a plus.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position is subject to additional hours beyond the typical work day/week, to meet the changing business needs.

• This position is subject to occasional travel.

• For full consideration, please apply by August 21, 2026, with all application materials. Applications received after this date may be considered until the position is filled.

• This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship.

Job Duties:

30% - Award Monitoring:

• Monitor financial status and integrity of grant/contract award accounts Review procurement documents to ensure that grant expenditures are reasonable, allocable to the project, and consistently treated.

• Coordinate with departmental budget staff and investigators to ensure that personnel effort costs are accurately reported for each project. Review accounts monthly to ensure that institution is in compliance with funding agency guidelines and award stipulations.

• Alert senior level officials and departmental personnel of potential funding problems and monitor awards to confirm contribution of mandatory cost share for each award.

25% - Financial Reporting:

• Prepare and submit billings and financial reports in a timely manner and in accordance with award requirements to ensure adequate cash reserves for university operations.

• Utilize university enterprise accounting system to ensure that entries are made consistently and correctly and are available for university-wide reports.

• Research and submit specialized reports for specific agencies such as minority procurement reports, intellectual property and other agency-specific financial and research reports.

25% - Proposal Assistance and Submission:

• Assist principal investigators in the preparation of proposal budgets that reflect full effort and cost of proposed research, are in a format acceptable to the funding agency, including matching requirements, follow accepted internal budget and accounting practices, and are calculated accurately.

• Review proposal work statements for clear and concise presentation, proper documentation for collaborative arrangements, and potential compliance issues, ensuring that proper institutional authorities are notified about proposals with specific compliance requirements.

• Collect data about each proposed project necessary for proposal and project tracking and monitoring compliance issues.

• Remain current with proposal submission procedures for each potential funding agency including changing submission procedures as needed, specifically from traditional to digital media.

15% - Contract Oversight:

• Review award instruments for clauses that conflict with governing Virginia state law, inflict onerous or unreasonable administrative and/or scientific burdens or are disadvantageous to the interests of the university and/or researcher. Negotiate with funding agencies to alter or remove unacceptable terms.

• Monitor project compliance with non-financial regulations. Prepare subrecipient and sub-contract documents.

5% - Account Maintenance:

• Initiate, maintain, and update data and accounts as needed in financial system and internal database.

Hiring Range: $70,000-$75,500 commensurate with experience.

Additional Job Description:

This position is primarily hybrid and based in Williamsburg, VA. Candidates with exceptional alignment to the required qualifications—particularly those with demonstrated success in similar roles—may be considered for a fully remote arrangement. Remote candidates will be evaluated using the same criteria and performance expectations as hybrid applicants.

For full consideration, please apply by the review date of August 28, 2026.

We will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

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Position Restrictions:

EEO is the Law.  Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Probationary Period Notice: Individuals selected for full-time staff positions will be required to complete a twelve (12) month probationary period in accordance with university policy.

Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility. 

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