Finance and Research Manager(FINANCIAL ANL 3 CX)

Under the general direction of the UCPRC Director and co-PIs, serve as the lead financial and research business analyst for the Center, providing strategic fiscal planning, financial oversight, and comprehensive portfolio management for multiple funding sources. The incumbent will focus primarily on state contracts (California Department of Transportation [Caltrans]), as well as other grants, recharge accounts, and restricted and unrestricted funds. Lead the development and refinement of internal financial business processes, internal controls, and documentation standards to improve transparency, reporting quality, and operational efficiency. Independently direct the Center's financial strategy, including multi-year budget development, forecasting, financial modeling, and trend analysis to support long-term operational and research planning. Design and maintain advanced internal financial tracking systems and analytical tools to accurately project and manage expenditures, revenue, payroll, and cost recovery. Proactively analyze variances, assess financial risk exposure, and provide strategic recommendations to Center leadership to ensure fiscal sustainability and compliance.

Serve as the primary financial advisor and research administrator for the UCPRC Director and co-PIs, supporting Caltrans proposal development, award setup, and ongoing account management. Provide high-level analytical review of proposal budgets, funding allocations, personnel effort planning, and academic salary recovery strategies. Coordinate sponsor and internal invoicing by compiling, annotating, and reconciling payroll and expense backup; reviewing ledgers; and resolving invoicing questions with internal accounting units and external sponsors. Oversee complex invoicing workflows across multiple funding streams to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and policy compliance. Act as liaison between UCPRC leadership, campus financial units, the Civil Environmental and Electrical Engineering department, the College of Engineering Dean's Office, and external sponsors. Interpret policy, advise on funding utilization strategies, and provide fiscal guidance aligned with Center-wide strategic goals.

This position is supported by externally funded research grants. While funding is expected to continue, the appointment is contingent on the availability of those funds.

RECRUITMENT PERIOD ONE MONTH: Applicants will be screened after two weeks; and then on a weekly basis. The position can be filled prior to the removal date.

Apply By Date: June 2, 2026

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Demonstrated experience in financial analysis, forecasting, and planning, including analyzing and compiling financial data and reports, evaluating complex accounting and policy/procedure issues, and developing sound, well-reasoned recommendations to establish priorities and determine appropriate courses of action.
• Proven experience maintaining accountability within complex accounting structures, including establishing and sustaining clear audit trails and ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Extensive experience managing and controlling complex budgets and financial operations, including detailed budget preparation, contract and grant proposal budgeting, purchasing, payroll and ledger reconciliation, invoicing and fiscal close, adherence to state contracting procedures, with the ability to interpret detailed instructions and analyze complex financial data accurately.
• Understand and ability to following the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) including application in a public institution includes, sources and uses of funds must be aggregated by the type of activity they support, and in accordance with any restriction imposed on their use.
• Organizational skills to plan, coordinate, set priorities, and adapt to changing priorities while meeting required deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate professionally and effectively, present complex financial information clearly and concisely, and explain financial processes and procedures diplomatically to individuals with varied backgrounds and levels of expertise.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using UC Davis campus systems or equivalent (KFS, FIS Decision Support, AggieEnterprise, AggieExpense, AggieService, UCPath).
• Experience administering multiple fund sources with restrictions. Experience with federal and private compliance regulations governing grant budgeting, financial reporting, cost-sharing standards, cost allocation, cost-share and effort reporting, invoicing, and policies regarding use of grant funds.
• Experience with UC applications for finance, payroll, travel, purchasing, inventory, and facilities.
• Working knowledge of UCD payroll, purchasing and accounts payable transactions, including ledger reconciliation.

Key Responsibilities

• 40% - BUDGET MANAGEMENT/FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
• 30% - Contracts & Grants Administration
• 20% - Financial Operations & Account Management
• 10% - Compliance and Financial Reporting

Department Overview

The University of California Pavement Research Center (UCPRC) is a major research program within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, engaged in the research, development, and implementation of advanced pavement technologies and asset management practices. The UCPRC manages up to $9.0 million in annual funding, distributed across 10 to 20 active projects at any given time.

UCPRC offices and laboratories are housed at the five-acre ATIRC research site west of the UC Davis campus, which includes offices, laboratory facilities and ongoing laboratory and field research operations. UCPRC research staff include approximately five professional researchers and project scientists, approximately five R&D Engineers, and other staff including computer programmers and editors, post-doctoral researchers, graduate student researchers, machinists, and undergraduate student laboratory and HVS assistants.

The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is a large academic department in the College of Engineering and provides instruction and research in 5 specialty areas of engineering. The Department has 39 faculty, 3 adjunct professors, 4 professional research engineers, 20 project scientists and technical staff, and 11 administrative staff. The department has one of the largest undergraduate and graduate programs in the college with approximately 520 undergraduates and 240 graduate students enrolled. The department has an annual budget of ~$15M with 400+ active accounts and an eclectic research enterprise externally funded by federal, state and private sponsors, and individual/corporate donors. This position will require interactions with Caltrans and other client project managers and project engineers, with contractors on field projects, graduate and undergraduate students, and with testing equipment manufacturers.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $77,100.00 - $139,900.00/yr.
• Salary Frequency: Annual
• Salary Grade: STEPS
• UC Job Title: FINANCIAL ANL 3 CX
• UC Job Code: 005183
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): M - F 8:00AM - 5:00PM
• Location: Davis, CA
• Union Representation: Yes - CX-Clerical/Admin
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
• Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Never 0 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Never 0 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Never 0 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Never 0 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Never 0 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Never 0 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Never 0 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Never 0 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Work with frequent interruptions. Work following a flexible schedule. Work occasional overtime to meet workload deadlines or operation needs. Limited vacation during busy periods, such as fiscal closing and during grant/project deadlines.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks