Manager for Funded Projects

Salary range: $58,000 – $66,672, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

About the role

Working with a high degree of independence, provide overall administrative management and coordination of business-related functions—finance, budget, and grant administration—for faculty within the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences (PQHS). The Manager for Funded Projects will oversee a research portfolio of multiple grants and contracts with annual expenditures between $4.5 million and $5.5 million. Assignments may change based on funding levels, staffing needs, and other dynamics.

The manager serves as the financial and business lead across their assigned portfolio, collaborating directly with faculty and staff on grant submissions, financial reporting, expense tracking, staffing optimization, and compliance with post-award management for multiple NIH institutes, federal and state agencies, industrial, and nonprofit funders. The role involves developing and implementing resource optimization plans, exercising discretion and independent judgment within established guidelines and policies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the financial and business operations manager for an assigned portfolio of $5M–$7M in annual direct spending. Extract data from university systems to perform continuous financial modeling, review spending patterns, project future trends, and prepare long-range operational forecasts and cash flow analyses.
• Develop monthly forecasts for each Principal Investigator (PI) and meet with them monthly to review trends. Implement strategies to avoid over- and underspending, monitor spending levels and commitments, and delegate tasks to ensure timely completion.
• Provide multi-institution, complex proposal development for collaborative research, industry, and clinical trials grants and contracts. Conduct background research to align research needs with funder interests. Manage proposal preparation for demanding sponsors with varying policies, restrictions, and deliverables. Advise faculty on complex contract terms impacting multi-institutional projects (U.S. and international). Facilitate award terms, budget augmentations, and project periods. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and university regulations. Develop systems for timely project closeouts and maintain financial report files.
• Manage salary spend across the portfolio by balancing resources for each faculty member. Determine appropriate staffing based on grant budgets and clinical trial revenue projections. Approve staff hires, initiate reorganizations or layoffs as funding changes, complete monthly effort/salary distributions, and collaborate with HR on salary adjustments.
• Represent the School of Medicine in compliant management, billing, and payments for shared research with affiliate hospitals. Monitor clinical trials to ensure revenue receipt, budget increases, and timely payments per affiliation agreements. Review and approve crossbills and reports with University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic, and MetroHealth.
• Prepare administrative reports for sponsoring agencies, including interim and final financial reports. Interpret and enforce university grant management policies, communicate changes, and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Maintain a database of sub-recipients, monitor Single Audit requirements, review audit reports, and assist with resolving financial noncompliance.
• Serve on leadership committees to develop departmental strategy goals. Cross-train with HR and purchasing teams to ensure smooth grant management during absences. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of related experience, or Associate’s degree and 7+ years of related experience. Operational finance and grant management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic and organizational planning within complex organizations, preferably in academic or public health settings.
• Budget development or management experience. Knowledge of university policies and procedures is preferred.
• Professional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present information accurately and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, including multitasking, prioritization, attention to detail, time management, and follow-through.
• Effective management skills, including leadership, training, and teamwork. Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, sound judgment, and innovation in developing new procedures or systems.
• Flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines. Ability to work under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, database applications, and internet navigation. Experience with PeopleSoft or Oracle is a plus.
• Willingness to learn new concepts, procedures, and computer programs. Commitment to supporting university values, mission, and policies.
• Ability to meet attendance requirements, interact face-to-face with colleagues and customers, and utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Schedule

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (up to two remote days per week at the department’s discretion). New employees may begin hybrid work after completing orientation and supervisor approval.