The Office of Sponsored Programs administers the university’s research operations. The office coordinates all pre- and non-financial post-award functions for grants and research. It maintains the university’s Protection of Human Subjects program. The Grants Liaison will play a critical role supporting a portfolio of research grants within the School of Arts and Sciences. This role will ensure the timely and accurate administration of sponsored research grants, including the coordination of internal and external research partnerships during the pre-award application and post-award process. The position will have a dotted line reporting relationship to the Dean of the school. The incumbent will serve as a key liaison between faculty and other University units that administer, monitor, and/or oversee grant and research administration, such as accounting, procurement, accounts payable, and HR. The incumbent must possess outstanding project management skills, have excellent time management and organizational skills, be very detail-oriented, exhibit excellent analytical skills, have demonstrated proficiency in Excel and web-based tools, be a flexible and strong communicator (both in writing and in person), and should possess a high degree of emotional intelligence, enabling seamless work with faculty and leadership at all levels within the University.
Award Administration – supporting the needs of faculty who have been awarded grants, which entails: ensuring compliance with funders’ reporting and financial requirements for award administration; reviewing budgets and expenditures, tracking and coding expenses where needed; working with the Office of Sponsored Accounting and the relevant faculty member(s) on purchasing, hiring, invoicing and payments, all within the guidance of University policies and procedures; supporting faculty with the preparation and submission of narrative progress and final reports; and assisting with the maintenance of records required for financial reporting.
Pre-Award Application Support: This function can entail a range of activities that include partner coordination to develop and/or obtain the required application materials, such as sub-recipient budgets, letters of support/memorandums of understanding, statement of work, bio-sketches etc./scheduling, budget preparation and facilitating review, preparation of supporting materials and Q/C checks against agency/funder guidelines, and support on the internal routing process to obtain required school and institutional approvals / uploading to the appropriate online portals where needed.
A Bachelor's Degree with one to three years of experience administering grants and/or sponsored projects. Experience in a higher education setting is preferred. Strong Excel and analytical skills and attention to detail. Demonstrated experience with sponsored program accounting, procurement, accounts payable and other research administrative functions is preferred. Knowledge of governmental regulations pertaining to sponsored research (e.g. FAR, A-21, A-110, A-133, Uniformed Guidance (2CFR200) preferred. Working knowledge of financial, grants submission (ie. Fastlane, grants.gov) and management tools is a plus. Excellent analytical skills; proficiency in Excel and web-based tools. Demonstrated experience in proposal preparation, budget development and submission; Experience with all types of award mechanisms (grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements); Ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional, and departmental policies; Demonstrated ability to research, investigate, analyze, and interpret proposal, award, fiscal and compliance requirements; Demonstrated experience in a collaborative work environment; Must possess strong organizational skills and be an effective communicator both verbally and in writing.