Manager Project Administration

Responsibilities

• Sponsored Research Administration: 50%
  • Leads sponsored research administration activities, including monitoring expenditures, validating financial transactions, and documenting costs in accordance with approved budgets and sponsor requirements.
  • Administers pre-award and post-award sponsored project administration activities to ensure efficient operations and full compliance with Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), state, and sponsor fiscal policies.
  • Oversees sponsor financial and administrative reports, supporting documentation, and analyses for stakeholders, including PIs, internal departments, sponsors, and auditors.
  • Ensures compliance with cost-sharing commitments and sponsor-specific requirements.
  • Directs sponsored project closeout activities, ensuring all financial, administrative, and compliance requirements are completed accurately and on time.
  • Oversees time and effort reporting and certification to ensure regulatory compliance and audit readiness.
• Compliance & Audits: 30%
  • Ensures organizational compliance with sponsor, institutional, and regulatory financial requirements governing sponsored programs.
  • Serves as ARI's subject matter expert and primary resource for sponsored research regulations and sponsor requirements.
  • Interprets sponsor guidelines, advises PIs and project teams regarding compliance requirements, and oversees related administrative actions.
  • Leads audit preparation and response activities, including coordinating documentation, addressing findings, and implementing corrective actions.
  • Develops and updates procedures related to sponsored project administration in consultation with the ADF and appropriate university offices.
  • Manages administrative communications with sponsors and serves as the primary liaison to obtain approvals for budget revisions, compliance actions, key personnel changes, no-cost extensions, and supplemental funding requests.
  • Reviews and interprets award terms and conditions and oversees the administrative actions necessary to ensure compliance with sponsor, institutional, and regulatory requirements.
  • Advises ARI leadership on sponsor regulations, research administration best practices, compliance risks, and changes to federal or sponsor requirements affecting sponsored projects.
  • Facilitates institutional approvals and sponsor prior approval requests in accordance with Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) and sponsor requirements.
  • Oversees the maintenance of documentation required for sponsor monitoring, audits, and regulatory reviews.
  • Ensures the accuracy, completeness, and retention of research administration records and documentation throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
  • Identifies, recommends, and implements approved process improvements to enhance efficiency, compliance, and service to PIs.
• Program Support: 20%
  • Collaborates with PIs and project partners and manages the alignment of financial and administrative activities with project goals and sponsor requirements.
  • Ensures accurate and timely entry and maintenance of project data within TAMU-CC and TAMUS systems.
  • Establishes and maintains sponsored project records and University research administration systems to ensure data accuracy, document integrity, and regulatory compliance.
  • Administers award setup, modifications, closeout activities, and administrative documentation throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
  • Manages sponsor reporting deadlines, administrative milestones, and required deliverables to ensure timely submission of reports and documentation.
  • Leads the preparation and review of interim, monthly, annual, and ad hoc research administration and financial reports for PIs and ARI Executive Leadership.
  • Advises and supports PIs throughout the sponsored project lifecycle by providing guidance on sponsor requirements, research administration processes, and university procedures.
  • Oversees and provides administrative guidance to personnel and PIs regarding proposal preparation, proposal routing, award setup, and grant administration activities throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
  • Manages sponsor communications related to administrative and compliance matters.
  • Interprets sponsor financial requirements and advises PIs and project staff regarding allowable expenditures and required approvals.
  • May supervise administrative and/or financial staff and oversee day-to-day operations as needed.
  • Collaborates with the Project Manager III and other Finance personnel on matters that involve sponsored research administration, project management, and financial operations.
  • Performs additional managerial, research administration, and special project duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Research Administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in sponsored research administration, grants management, research compliance, post-award administration, or a closely related field.
• Additional education may be used as a substitution for the minimum experience requirement:
  • Master's degree in Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Research Administration, or related field, and three (3) years of experience in sponsored research administration, grants management, research compliance, post-award administration, or a closely related field; OR
  • Doctoral degree in Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Research Administration, or related field, and one (1) year of experience in sponsored research administration, grants management, research compliance, post-award administration, or a closely related field.

Skills and Abilities

• Experience leading teams and managing relationships with PIs, sponsors, project partners, and institutional stakeholders
• Experience coordinating sponsored research administration activities throughout the project lifecycle
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database software (e.g., Smartsheet, Laserfiche, etc.)
• High level of articulation and professionalism
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Critical thinking and proactive problem solving
• Ability to take initiative and identify opportunities for improvement
• Ability to either work in a team environment or independently with minimal guidance
• Ability to manage and prioritize tasks, resources, and time effectively

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration
• Ten (10) years or more of experience in sponsored research administration, grants management, research compliance, post-award administration, or a closely related field
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification or the ability to obtain certification
• Project Management Institute (PMI) Certification
• Knowledge of grants.gov and other federal, state, and foundation grant access points and submission portals
• Ability to train and advise faculty, staff, and students on project administration
• Experience working in higher education, higher education grants, and/or higher education research administration
• Experience administering federally funded research awards
• Familiarity with aviation, autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), advanced air mobility (AAM), or related technology sectors.