Colorado Quantum Initiative (CO-QI) Finance Professional (One-Year, Limited-Term)

Summary

Job Summary

The Finance Professional is responsible for providing financial, budget, procurement, and operational support for the Colorado Quantum Initiative. This position manages a variety of funding sources, including general funds, auxiliary funds, contracts, gifts, and endowments, and helps ensure financial resources are administered in accordance with university, state, sponsor, and fiscal policies. The role supports the day-to-day financial operations of CO-QI through budget monitoring, financial reporting, procurement administration, travel and expense processing, and compliance activities.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Budget and Finance for the Research & Innovation Office (RIO) and the Institutes, the position works closely with the RIO Finance Team, Procurement Service Center, campus administrative offices, and CO-QI leadership and staff to support financial planning, purchasing activities, fund management, and operational effectiveness. The position serves as a key resource for financial systems, policies, and procedures and assists with the development of financial reports, budget analyses, and tracking tools that support informed decision-making.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Colorado Quantum Initiative is an interdisciplinary hub that works to convene, coordinate and catalyze quantum activities at CU Boulder. The initiative is to reinforce Colorado's prominence in quantum information science and technology by partnering with regional universities and laboratories that contribute complementary strengths, linking closely with quantum-intensive companies, and serving a spectrum of local, regional and national interests.

Responsibilities

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Financial Management, Budgeting, and Reporting:

Provide financial management and budget support for the Colorado Quantum Initiative (CO-QI), ensuring sound fiscal stewardship across multiple fund sources including general funds, auxiliary funds, gifts, endowments, contracts, and sponsored projects.

• Monitor and reconcile financial activity across multiple funding sources.
• Prepare and maintain financial reports, budget forecasts, projections, and analyses for CO-QI leadership.
• Build and maintain financial tracking tools, spreadsheets, and dashboards to support decision-making.
• Support annual budget planning and ongoing budget management activities.
• Monitor budgets for deficits, identify financial concerns, and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare journal entries, budget journal entries, cash transfers, and other financial transactions.
• Identify accruals, prepaid expenses, and deferred revenue for year-end reporting.
• Prepare financial information and analyses for budget meetings, strategy discussions, presentations, and campus budget reviews.
• Track Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and internal funding commitments to ensure appropriate allocation and reconciliation of funds.
  
  

Procurement, Travel, And Financial Operations

Serve as the primary procurement and financial operations resource for CO-QI and ensure purchasing activities align with university and sponsor requirements.

• Process and approve purchase orders, requisitions, payment vouchers, standing purchase orders, and related procurement transactions.
• Coordinate high-value purchases, including capital equipment acquisitions.
• Advise faculty, staff, and leadership on university procurement policies and procedures.
• Review expenditures for proper authorization, documentation, procurement method, funding source, and policy compliance.
• Serve as Procurement Card (PCard) approver and reconciler, ensuring transactions are properly documented and allocated.
• Process travel authorizations and expense reimbursements and provide guidance on travel policies and procedures.
• Support users of CU Marketplace, procurement systems, and shopper catalogs by providing training and assistance.
• Coordinate with vendors, Procurement Service Center staff, and university departments to resolve purchasing questions, issues, and discrepancies.
  
  

Financial Compliance, Audit, And Internal Controls

Promote effective fiscal practices through financial oversight, compliance monitoring, and continuous operational improvement.

• Maintain knowledge of university, state, sponsor, and department policies affecting financial operations.
• Assess accounting, budgeting, procurement, and grant management processes for effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance.
• Monitor expenditures and transactions to ensure compliance with university policies and applicable regulations.
• Identify areas of financial and operational risk and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Respond to audit requests, provide supporting documentation, and assist with corrective actions when needed.
• Partner with campus finance and accounting offices to resolve accounting and compliance issues.
• Design and maintain internal forms, procedures, and documentation to support business processes and reporting requirements.
• Assist with improvement initiatives that strengthen internal controls and operational effectiveness.
  
  

Contracts, Grants, And Business Operations Support

Provide administrative and financial support for contracts, grants, and other business operations activities.

• Support financial administration of contracts and grants, including monitoring expenditures and compliance requirements.
• Track revenue, expenditures, and project activity to support financial management and reporting obligations.
• Maintain financial records and supporting documentation in accordance with university requirements.
• Assist with reporting and information requests from campus partners, leadership, and external collaborators.
• Support operational activities and special projects as assigned.
  
  

Professional Development And Service

• Maintain current knowledge of university financial systems, policies, and practices.
• Participate in professional development opportunities and campus training programs.
• Serve as a collaborative partner with the RIO Finance Team, Procurement Service Center, Budget Office, Controller's Office, Human Resources, and other campus partners.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
  
  

What You Should Know

This is a 1-year, limited-term appointment.

What We Can Offer

The hiring range for this position is $67,600-$80,000 annually.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be resourceful. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• 3 years of progressively responsible administrative and budget financial experience including requisitions, invoices, accounts payable, and sole source agreements.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
  
  

What You Will Need

• Knowledge of accounting, budgeting, financial management, procurement, and business operations principles and practices.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, university, and sponsor regulations governing financial transactions and fiscal stewardship.
• Ability to analyze complex financial data, identify trends, assess risk, and develop practical recommendations.
• Ability to independently manage several priorities while meeting timelines in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated skill in preparing, interpreting, and presenting financial reports, forecasts, and analyses for a broad range of audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in financial transactions and reporting.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, leadership, vendors, and external partners.
• Demonstrated customer service orientation with the ability to provide guidance and support on financial policies, procedures, and systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial information in clear, concise terms.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when handling sensitive financial and personnel information.
• Ability to adapt to changing business processes, financial systems, and organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to build and maintain spreadsheets, databases, financial models, and reporting tools.
• Commitment to collaboration, accountability, integrity, and fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a cross-functional team.
  
  

What We Would Like You To Have

• Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Experience supporting finance, budgeting, accounting, procurement, and operational activities in a higher education, research, government, or similarly complex organization.
• Experience with fund accounting and managing multiple fund types, including general, auxiliary, gift, sponsored project, endowment, and plant funds.
• Experience in financial analysis, budget planning, forecasting, and development of financial reports and dashboards.
• Demonstrated experience applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and internal accounting control principles.
• Experience supporting contracts and grants administration, including financial monitoring and compliance.
• Experience using enterprise financial and human resource systems such as PeopleSoft, Oracle, Cognos, m-Fin, CU Data, or similar platforms.
• Experience with systems including Marketplace, Concur Travel and Expense, PeopleSoft Finance, and related financial reporting tools.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, reporting, and financial modeling.
• Experience creating financial dashboards and data visualizations using Power BI or similar business intelligence tools.
• Experience preparing executive-level reports, presentations, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with faculty, staff, administrators, vendors, and other external partners.
  
  

Special Instructions

To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials

• A current resume.
• A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
  
  

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by July 23, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.