Grants and Contracts Manager

About the role

Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) seeks a highly accomplished and strategic leader to serve as the Director of Research Administration in the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research.

Responsibilities

• Lead the EMS Research Office in delivering responsive, accurate, and compliant pre-award and post-award services across the College, including proposal submission, award setup, financial stewardship, reporting, and closeout.
• Establish service standards, workflows, staffing models, and resource allocation strategies that support operational excellence and a high-performing team culture.
• Serve as the College’s senior research administration leader and primary liaison with central University offices, including Sponsored Programs, Research Accounting, Technology Management, Purchasing, Risk Management, and the Office of General Counsel.
• Partner with College leadership, department heads, institute directors, and faculty to resolve complex proposal, award, compliance, and sponsor issues while advancing College research priorities.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance service consistency, operational efficiency, and researcher experience across EMS.
• Represent the College on University-wide committees and initiatives related to research administration modernization, policy implementation, and shared services.
• Champion scalable solutions and standardization of best practices.
• Contribute to College research strategy through analysis of proposal activity, expenditures, sponsor trends, faculty engagement, and portfolio growth opportunities.
• Develop and present metrics, dashboards, reports, and briefing materials that support strategic decision-making and research growth.
• Interpret evolving federal, state, sponsor, and University policies and translate them into effective College practices.
• Proactively identify compliance and audit risks and implement appropriate controls, training, and monitoring practices to safeguard the College’s research enterprise.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 10+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Qualifications

• Not specified

Skills

• Not specified

Benefits

The EMS Research Office supports flexible work arrangements aligned with the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. The successful candidate may work remotely within the United States or through a hybrid arrangement. Given the leadership responsibilities of the role and the value of engagement with faculty, staff, and university partners, regular on-campus presence is preferred. Standard working hours are aligned with the Eastern time zone.

Pay

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $102,936.00 - $154,452.00.

Schedule

Standard working hours are aligned with the Eastern time zone.