Assistant Director of Effort

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant contributions to Howard University's overall mission.
At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.
Here is what we offer:
Health & Wellness:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
Work-Life Balance:
PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
Financial Wellness:
Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
Professional Development:
Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
Additional Perks:
Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture
Join Howard University and thrive with us

The Assistant Director of Effort and Financial Reporting supports Howard University's compliance with federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) by overseeing effort certification and assisting with research financial reporting. This role is essential to ensuring that compensation charged to federally sponsored projects is reasonable, allowable, and allocable. Additionally, the Assistant Director works closely with the Senior Director of Cost Analysis and Financial Reporting to provide cost accounting and expenditure analysis to support federal reports and audits. The position requires experience in research administration, cost principles, and data analysis techniques used in sponsored program financial management.
SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:
May provide limited supervision of a Senior Cost Analyst or similar role as needed.
NATURE AND SCOPE:
The Assistant Director works under the supervision of the Senior Director of Cost Analysis and Financial Reporting and collaborates with stakeholders across the Office of Research, the Controller's Office, academic units, and research support staff. The role interacts with both internal and external auditors and federal sponsors.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Oversee the University's effort certification process, ensuring alignment with Uniform Guidance and internal policy.
Serve as the point of contact for effort-related portions of the University's annual Single Audit and federal agency reviews.
Assist in preparing federal research expenditure reports, including the Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey and other federal agency data requests.
Conduct financial and cost analysis related to research expenditures, labor distribution, and grant-related payroll.
Support the design and implementation of internal controls related to compensation compliance and labor cost allocation.
Collaborate with the Senior Director to review, monitor, and improve cost transfer and effort reporting policies.
Train and advise departmental research administrators and faculty on effort certification requirements and compliant practices.
Develop tools and reports to manipulate and analyze data from ERP systems (e.g., Workday) for internal decision-making and external reporting.
Maintain audit-ready documentation for labor allocations, effort certifications, and related payroll adjustments.
Contribute to the assessment and improvement of business processes supporting sponsored program compliance and performance monitoring.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Deep knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), especially cost principles and personnel compensation rules for federally sponsored projects.
Strong background in research administration and sponsored project compliance.
Proficiency in cost accounting principles and analytical methods.
Advanced Excel skills and experience extracting and analyzing data from enterprise systems such as Workday.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and to present data clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Familiarity with effort reporting systems and internal audit processes.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business or a related field.
5–7 years of relevant experience in research administration, cost analysis, or compliance for sponsored programs.
Experience with effort reporting, labor cost analysis, and federal financial reporting required.
CRA, CFRA, or other relevant certification preferred but not required.
Experience working in higher education or a research-intensive environment strongly preferred.
Compliance Salary Range Disclosure
Compensation Range: $120,000 - $130,000

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