Financial Assurance Manager - Office of Research, Innovation & Economic Development - UTK

University of Tennessee · Knoxville

The Financial Assurance Manager in the Sponsored Projects Accounting (SPA) unit provides leadership and expertise to strengthen financial stewardship, compliance, and audit readiness across the sponsored projects life cycle. This role supports institutional and sponsor compliance requirements by monitoring risk areas, interpreting regulations and award terms, and partnering with departments to promote consistent, well-controlled financial practices. In addition, the manager leads policy development and implementation, oversees testing of departmental controls, and drives training and outreach to ensure campus partners understand and can apply compliance expectations. The role also serves as audit liaison, coordinating responses to audits and monitoring reviews in a timely, consistent, and well-documented manner, and uses trends and results to guide continuous improvement. When issues are identified, the manager develops and oversees corrective action plans. The Manager supervises two Financial Assurance Officers, ensuring high-quality work, clear priorities, and a strong service-oriented approach in support of the university’s research mission.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

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