Demo

Associate Director, Grants & Contracts Accounting

Weill Cornell Medicine
York, NY Full Time
POSTED ON 4/10/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/8/2026
Title: Associate Director, Grants & Contracts Accounting

Location: Midtown

Org Unit: Grants and Contracts Accounting

Work Days

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $138,000.00 - $167,200.00

  • As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Grants & Contracts Accounting serves as the primary operational and strategic partner to the Director, providing day-to-day leadership of the Grants & Contracts Accounting (GCA) function for a large medical college within a major research university. This role oversees the full post-award accounting lifecycle for approximately $500 million in annual sponsored research revenue, ensuring compliance with federal, state, private sponsor, and university requirements.

Acting as the Director's right hand, the Associate Director leads and coordinates a management team consisting of one Senior Manager and three Managers, providing direction, escalation support, and technical expertise across a complex and highly regulated portfolio of grants and contracts. The role is responsible for operational execution, internal controls, staff leadership, process optimization, audit readiness, and cross-campus collaboration with Research Administration, Principal Investigators (PIs), Compliance, and Finance.

Job Responsibilities

  • Serve as the Director's primary operational partner, overseeing daily operations of the Grants & Contracts Accounting team and acting as the senior escalation point for complex or high-risk post-award matters.
  • Provide leadership and direction to a management team consisting of one Senior Manager and three Managers, ensuring consistent performance, accountability, and application of grants and contracts accounting policies.
  • Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), sponsor terms and conditions, and university policies across all federal, state, foundation, industry-sponsored, and clinical trial awards.
  • Oversee sponsor invoicing, drawdowns, and accounts receivable, ensuring timely cash collections, resolution of billing issues, and accurate sponsored cash flow reporting.
  • Review and approve complex or non-routine financial transactions, reports, and adjustments, exercise sound judgment to manage compliance, financial, and reputational risk.
  • Lead initiatives to streamline workflows, enhance automation and improve data integrity.
  • Serve as a liaison with sponsors, auditors and internal stakeholders on post-award financial administration.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to PIs, department administrators, and research leadership, and represent Grants & Contracts Accounting on institutional committees and cross-functional initiatives.

Education

  • Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance or related field

Experience

  • CPA preferred, with public accounting experience strongly desired; experience in higher education, healthcare, or other complex NFP environments highly valued
  • 5 - 7 years of progressively responsible experience in grants and contracts accounting or research administration, including leadership roles
  • Significant experience in a large academic medical center or major research university environment
  • Deep expertise in Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and sponsor regulations, including federal, foundation, and industry-sponsored awards
  • Demonstrated success leading managers and complex teams and overseeing high-volume, high-dollar sponsored research portfolios
  • Strong experience with audit management, including Single Audits and federal agency reviews, and cross-functional coordination
  • Experience overseeing clinical trial accounting and industry-sponsored research
  • Experience with SAP or Workday strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Advanced technical, analytical, and organizational skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment in a highly regulated environment.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence and partner across all organizational levels.
  • Proven self-starter with the ability to operate independently while collaborating effectively in a matrixed environment.

Licenses and Certifications

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "any person, any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

To apply, visit https://jobs.weill.cornell.edu/NY/job/New-York-Associate-Director,-Grants-&-Contracts-Accounting-NY-10022/1379410000/

Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency

jeid-6d70a617bf6c8143bcceebf5d278c3d1

Salary : $138,000 - $167,200

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Associate Director, Grants & Contracts Accounting?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Associate Director, Grants & Contracts Accounting career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$117,990 - $155,228
Income Estimation: 
$164,666 - $215,191
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Weill Cornell Medicine

  • Weill Cornell Medicine York, NY
  • Title: Medical Assistant-Procedures Location: Upper East Side Org Unit: Administration Work Days: Monday-Friday Weekly Hours: 35.00 Exemption Status: Non-E... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • Weill Cornell Medicine York, NY
  • Title: Revenue Cycle Analyst, Regulatory & Specialty Services - Pathology (REMOTE) Location: Remote Org Unit: Engagement and Process Improvement Work Days:... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • Weill Cornell Medicine York, NY
  • Title: Vascular Technologist Location: Upper East Side Org Unit: Vascular Surgery Work Days: Monday-Friday Weekly Hours: 35.00 Exemption Status: Non-Exempt... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • Weill Cornell Medicine York, NY
  • Title: Director, Financial Controls & Operations Location: Midtown Org Unit: Financial Reporting and Analysis Work Days Weekly Hours: 35.00 Exemption Statu... more
  • 10 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Associate Director, Grants & Contracts Accounting jobs in the York, NY area that may be a better fit.

  • Macmillan York, NY
  • We’re seeking an experienced, detail-obsessed and process-oriented Associate Director to join our busy Trade Contracts team. The Associate Director will br... more
  • 11 Days Ago

  • BioSpace York, NY
  • Company Overview Protara Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to advancing transformative therapies for people with cancer and ... more
  • 3 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!