Manager, Research Project Administration

About the role

TAMU-CC is a dynamic university designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) with approximately 11,000 students from 47 states and 54 foreign nations. We employ over 1,400 full-time and 2,000 part-time Islanders (including students/GAs). The University attracts highly talented faculty and staff and offers an array of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral programs. As a member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMU-CC benefits from a range of resources, increased visibility and influence, and opportunities to collaborate in mutually beneficial ways with peers across member institutions and associated agencies. TAMU-CC's beautiful campus is located on a 240-acre island on Corpus Christi Bay and was ranked #1 College by the Sea by Best College Reviews. Our natural setting is enhanced by its modern, attractive, and state-of-the-art classroom buildings and support facilities.

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 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.

Pay

$6,833.34 – $7,187.25 Monthly ($82,000.00 – $86,247.00 Annual, Approximately)

Benefits

• Insurance – Medical: $0 – $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value). Up to 83% of premium covered by the university:
  • Employee and Spouse
  • Employee and Children
  • Employee and Family coverage
• Dental & Vision
• Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account
• DUAL CAREER PARTNER PROGRAM
• ON-CAMPUS WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES
• Work Life Solutions: Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Public Loan Forgiveness
  • Book scholarships
  • 100% tuition coverage for up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year (other rules may apply).
• Retirement: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP); Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan
• Time Off:
  • 8+ hours of vacation paid time off every month.
  • 8 hours of sick leave time off every month.
  • 8 hours of paid time off for Birthday leave.
  • 12–15 paid holidays each year.