Job Description Summary: UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the SPS-BSS Lead Administrator IV role. This position is situated within UCAR Community Programs’ (UCP) Scientific Partnerships & Services Center (SPS), and UCP’s Business Shared Services (BSS) administrative team.

SPS provides scientific and technical services to sponsors aligned with three main themes: large-scale partnerships and initiatives; long-term job opportunities and workforce management at selected federal locations; and a full range of Event Management including organizational logistics and travel management, in accordance with UCAR collaboration agreements with federal sponsors.

UCP’s BSS administrative teams are deployed to partner with each Center within UCP. BSS teams integrate deeply within each Center and come together to share knowledge, develop and refine best practices, and bolster professional growth among colleagues.

The SPS-BSS Lead Administrator IV is a senior member of the SPS Center and BSS leadership teams. Providing leadership and overall management to ensure a high performing administrative team, this position partners with the SPS Center across functional areas including human resources, finance, budget, proposal and post award administration, and policy interpretation. The position has a key role in the BSS to propel ongoing development, implementation and improvement for UCP Business Shared Services.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job:

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Job Location:

Boulder, Colorado

Position Type & Term:

Full time, Regular

Compensation Range:

$125,188 - $156,485

Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Application Notes

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59pm MT, Sunday, October 6. Applications will not be accepted past this date.

Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format) :

• Resume

• Cover Letter - Address how your skills and experience meet the needs of this position by answering the following prompts ( for more information, please refer to the Key Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting ).

• What experience do you have leading a team that is responsible for managing multiple complex budgets across various projects or programs? Include how you ensure team accuracy when interpreting financial data and the strategic development of different funding scenarios (e.g. contingency planning, securing new business opportunities, etc.).

• When collaborating with senior leadership across various departments and with differing priorities, what strategies have you utilized to ensure effective communication and build consensus among these high-level stakeholders?

• Please summarize (a) your approach to building an inclusive and psychologically safe environment where your team feels valued, supported, and motivated (b) and describe specific actions you have taken to successfully build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.

• *Skills Assessment - Candidates invited to interview will also be asked to complete a Skills Assessment designed to demonstrate one’s skills with data analysis & presentation, communication, and financial projection.

Background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more. (https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/faqs)

Work Location: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person and hybrid (combination of in-person and remote) opportunities. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

What You Will Do

Here is a summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Financial & Award Management

• Provide oversight and management to Administrators and Budget Analysts in formulating, interpreting, and managing multiple complex program and project budgets, including the comprehensive Center budget for all funding scenarios (e.g., what-if, risk mitigation, business development).

• Develop and implement mechanisms for monitoring and forecasting spending, intervening to resolve issues with administrative staff, leaders, and sponsors.

• Act as the primary administrator for large, complex awards, including financial management, analysis, contracts, subawards, and procurement, while managing indirect funds such as general and administrative (G&A) funding.

• Lead large SPS Center-based proposals, coordinating timelines, roles, responsibilities, and budget development.

• Oversee the preparation of financial statements and budget reviews to ensure compliance with UCAR policy, and manage major annual sponsor reporting in partnership with the finance team and SPS Leadership.

Organizational Team Development

• Participate in UCP Leadership meetings and retreats, leading efforts to standardize and streamline business processes and cultural change for BSS in collaboration with the UCP Leadership and Senior Administrators across UCP.

• Partner with UCP leadership, SPS, and Program Directors to assess and meet administrative needs across SPS.

• Train, coach, and mentor BSS staff within and beyond their current position to foster professional development.

• Represent UCP on UCAR committees as requested, serve as acting UCP BSS leadership as needed, and Co-lead BSS-wide meetings and retreats with the UCP Leadership and other Senior Administrators.

Leadership

• Build and execute SPS’ strategic vision as a member of our leadership team, partner with the SPS leadership to address sponsor needs, including sponsor engagement related to financials, awards, and employee management.

• Oversee task allocation, performance management, and administrative direction for the BSS team across all functional areas, including award and financial management, proposals, contracts, subawards, travel, procurement, and HR.

• Supervise, train, and evaluate the BSS team to ensure effective support.

Human Resources & Workforce Management

• Lead strategic staffing management, including FTE projections and needs for SPS as a whole.

• Serve as the primary liaison between UCAR and UCP Human Resources and SPS, ensuring proper implementation of HR policies and addressing significant personnel issues.

• Oversee the annual performance evaluation process within SPS, ensuring alignment with HR policies and organizational goals.

  Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

  Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in business, accounting, or related field;

• 10 years of relevant experience (including 3 years of supervisory experience) ;

• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of finance and financial management, including budget management, analysis, forecasting, and application of U.S. GAAP and OMB Circulars.

• Proven leadership skills with the ability to achieve organizational goals and manage in a shared services, matrixed environment.

• Advanced change management leadership, process improvement, and business reengineering skills, with the ability to develop efficiencies and lead the adoption of best practices.

• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, communication, presentation, and supervisory skills, including mentoring and coaching staff.

• Expertise in proposal development for various award vehicles (e.g., grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, IDIQs).

• Strong knowledge of human resources administration and proven ability to manage HR activities such as hiring, promotions, and performance evaluations.

• Knowledge of, and experience with, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that assist in building a positive, supportive, and motivating work environment.

• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, Word, Google Suite, and financial management software.

• Knowledge of project management principles and willingness to travel.

Desired, but not required:

• Extensive experience in financial and award management.

• Demonstrated successful management experience at a senior level that includes:

• Managing complex strategic operational issues.

• Ability to interface between strategic development and operational delivery.

• Workforce planning.

• Leading and developing a team approach in a multi-disciplinary, shared services environment.

  Benefits Overview

  UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits (https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/benefits) . In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:

• Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities

• UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one

• Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions)

• 10 paid holidays

• 10 days of sick leave each year

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave

• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary

• EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost

  Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan (https://www.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/documents/related-links/2020-12/ODEI_StrategicPlan_Final.pdf) and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace (https://www.ucar.edu/who-we-are/diversity-inclusion) site.

  Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience . Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!

  Commitment to Job Application Fairness

  Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

  Some Final Considerations

  At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.