Team Lead of Grant Accounting

About SMU

SMUs more than 12,000 diverse high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the Universitys small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study, and innovative programs. SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools:

• Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
• Cox School of Business
• Lyle School of Engineering
• Meadows School of the Arts
• Simmons School of Education and Human Development
• Dedman School of Law
• Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies

SMU is data-driven and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence. Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty, and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMUs relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nations fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social, and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact. SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department

The Grant and Contract Accounting Department manages the financial component of the Universitys externally funded research, public service, and other separately budgeted projects. Grant and Contract Accounting ensures compliance with University Policies and Procedures as well as those of the sponsoring organization by:

• Reviewing and approving all financial transactions on sponsored projects
• Approving all new and incremental funding for sponsored projects and maintaining those records in the Universitys financial system
• Performing billing, collections, and financial reporting services for all sponsored projects
• Serving as liaison to outside auditors examining the Universitys sponsored projects
• Providing advice and support to Principal Investigators, Project Directors, and Financial Business Managers in the financial conduct of their sponsored projects
• Conducting the Universitys Indirect Cost Study at required intervals.

About the Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. The position will lead the overall financial management of grants and contracts, including financial reporting to sponsors, setup of awards in the PeopleSoft financial system, monitoring cash collections, review of select transactions, and special leadership projects. The role will develop and refine financial metrics for use by University Administration to track progress against strategic plans. The person in this role will also research and address complex technical issues related to grant requirements per federal and sponsor guidelines.

The role will lead and coordinate efforts of Grant and Contract Accounting Specialists, manage work for the external audits while minimizing risk to the University, and implement strategic improvements to streamline processes and improve efficiencies and provide a high level of customer service to faculty across campus.

Essential Functions

• Provide overall financial management of grants and contracts, including financial reporting to sponsors, setup of awards in the PeopleSoft financial system, and timely collection of funds owed by sponsors to maximize University cash flow.
• Manage work for the external audits while minimizing risk to the University.
• Lead efforts to improve customer service and increase funding sources, thereby delivering higher value-add to the University while still maintaining compliance requirements.
• Develop action plan to build stronger relationships with researchers and their staff.
• Partner with other administrative groups to create and present training materials for campus.
• Lead special projects assigned by Manager, including research of complex technical issues and development of comprehensive business recommendations.
• Key goals include timely award closeout in compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements and evaluation of various electronic tools and systems to improve efficiency.
• Develop and refine financial metrics for use by University Administration to track progress against strategic plans.
• Serve as key leader in supporting growth of overall research expenditures.
• Review select expenditure requests to ensure they are reasonable, allocable, and allowable in accordance with SMU policy, sponsor regulations, terms, and conditions, and the project budget.
• Develop and maintain documentation of departmental operating processes with a focus on standardization and efficiency.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree is required, preferably in accounting or finance.
• A minimum of five years of accounting or financial management experience, preferably managing grants, e.g., award setup, grant billing, determining allowability of expenses, award closeout.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies.
• Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
• A strong customer service orientation is essential.
• Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to be resourceful, proactive, and seek assistance as needed.
• Must also have strong organizational planning and time management skills.
• Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of MS Office, Excel, Word, and Outlook, and Windows is required.
• Experience in PeopleSoft grants module is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Deadline to Apply: The position is open until filled. Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by April 21, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits

• SMU offers staff a broad competitive array of health and related benefits.
• In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract support and retain employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
• SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU, and if you meet SMUs retirement eligibility criteria during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
• The value of learning at SMU isnt just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.