Grants and Contracts Finance Administrator

Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate people and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing top-ranked independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals organizations corporations communities and nations understand the realities of climate change recognize the impact on our planet and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Summary:

Join Woodwells Grants and Contracts Finance (GCF) team as a Grants and Contracts Finance this role you will have strategic growth and scalability portfolio stewardship compliance and regulatory lead and research lead.

Responsibilities include but not limited:

• Strategic Growth & Scalability:Partner with leadership to support the Centers strategic expansion by maintaining rigorous financial controls and scalable post-award processes

  • Set-up new grants projects and sub-awards in accounting system

  • Review pre-award budgets and monitor post-award budgets in collaboration with Principal Investigators and scientists

  • Ensure that as our funding grows our financial integrity and reporting capabilities grow with it

• Portfolio Stewardship:Oversee the post-award financial health of an assigned researcher portfolio ensuring fiscal alignment for a center-wide program expense base of $28M

  • Administer kickoffs implementation financial oversight closeouts and troubleshooting

  • Assist with SEFA and annual audits

  • Provide support to PIs in transition to new technologies and grant process and policies

• Compliance & Regulatory Lead:Apply 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and agency-specific supplements (NASA NSF DOE) to complex financial transactions ensuring our $5.5M federal funding remains audit-ready and compliant

• Researcher Liaison:Act as a dedicated financial guide for our science Research staff and Principal Investigators. You will translate complex financial data and compliance requirements into actionable accurate financial reports through monthly and quarterly reviews

  • Collaborate with the Sponsored Research Office (SRO) and the Foundation Relations (FR) to execute quarterly meetings with PIs

  • Review project financials monthly and flag red flags to SRO and the PIs

  • Manage and process award and project financial documents including contracts agreements fee-for-service in digital filing system

• Lifecycle Management:Partner with SRO to orchestrate budget revisions modifications; and lead on project invoicing ensuring seamless and timely closeouts

• Sub-award Financial Coordination:Support SRO in the financial oversight of our $6M sub-award portfolio verifying that subrecipients meet all federal regulations and reporting requirements

• Audit Integrity:Maintain a meticulous digital filing system (Arcadia) to support annual audits desk reviews and internal controls safeguarding WCRCs unmodified audit status

Must have the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in a nonprofit research organization or academic research institution

• Research Administration or Grant Accounting or Finance knowledge and understand the nuances of non-profit or research administration environments

• Regulatory knowledge with demonstrated command of federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and specific agency supplements (NSF/NASA/DOE to name a few)

• Analytical intuition and ability to read complex contracts to quickly extract reporting invoicing and compliance requirements

• Advanced Excel user (Pivot Tables and V-Lookups) and have deep proficiency with financial software Sage Intacct

• Adaptable and ready to master new eRA systems like InfoEd

• Must bedetail-oriented and proactive manage work and thrive in forecasting to minimize deadline pressure

• Extensive experience with budgeting and financial analysis and reporting

• Extensive experience collaborating with Principal Investigators Postgraduate and research scientists

• Must be detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects while working under deadlines during peak times of the year

• Work effectively as an independent problem-solver who knows when to ask the right questions

• Ability to work east coast hours

Qualifications:

• 2 years of professional relevant experience preferably in non-profit

• Bachelors in Public Administration Business Administration Finance Accounting or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are conducted indoors

Hours of Work:

• This role is paid on a salary basis.

• Typically full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek. However this is a salaried position. Therefore the individual is expected to work as required to complete the duties of the position. This may mean weekend hours and/or hours beyond 40 per week.

Application review will be ongoing

Desired Start Date: May - June 2026

Classification and Compensation:This is a full-time salaried exempt position the annual salary range starting at $62000 - $75000 dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.

Location:Falmouth Massachusetts onsite hybrid or remote

Application Instructions:To apply please send your resume cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae asa single PDFto our careers portal.

Please visit Woodwells websiteto learn more about Woodwells work.

Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex mental or physical disability age sexual orientation gender identity national origin familial status veteran status or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices services programs and activities.