Grants and Contracts Senior Administrator

Primary Duties

• Serve as the frontfacing financial partner to assigned PIs, providing strategic guidance and responsive support for all aspects of their research portfolios.
• Manage the full financial lifecycle of sponsored awards, including new award setup, ongoing monitoring, and closeout.
• Prepare and present clear analyses of P&L statements, spending trends, and financial risks to PI’s and service line leadership.
• Maintain a deep understanding of each PI’s research activities, funding strategy, and upcoming financial needs.
• Monitor accounts for accuracy, spending patterns, and potential issues requiring corrective action.
• Develop and maintain detailed financial projections for each award and gift, incorporating personnel costs, burn rate, subawards, and planned expenditures.
• Model multiyear scenarios to support decision making and resource planning.
• Prepare projections for renewals, supplemental funding, and closeout planning.
• Alert investigators to key tasks and deadlines within 30 and 60-day windows prior to grant closeout, including spending adjustments, final purchases, and personnel changes.
• Provide clear, concise financial summaries to support portfolio manager recommendations.
• Model multiyear scenarios to support PI planning and service line budgeting.
• Care for coordination with Research Accounting to submit financial reports and closeout packages for sponsors and internal research accounting, ensuring accuracy and completeness in partnership with the PI.
• Support effort reporting by reviewing salary allocations, confirming commitments, and assisting PIs with certification.
• Aid with the financial components of RPPRs and other sponsor progress reports as needed.
• Implement financial adjustments related to no-cost extensions, changes in subawards, changes in scope, and other award modifications.

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Finance, Business, Public Health or similar type field.
• Masters preferred.
• CRA or similar certification desirable.
• 6-8 years of experience required.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and communicate insights clearly.
• Ability to translate financial information into actionable guidance for investigators.
• Proactive approach to identifying risks, deadlines, and opportunities within a research portfolio.
• Proficiency with financial systems and spreadsheets; comfort working with large datasets.
• Knowledge of federal Uniform Guidance and sponsor specific regulations preferred.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills, especially with faculty and research teams.