Program Manager/Post Award

Position Summary

Manage the department’s post-award grants process, supporting Principal Investigators (PIs) and faculty with award management, progress reporting, and grant-related submissions in collaboration with Mailman School of Public Health (MSPH) Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA).

Serve as the primary liaison with SPA, Sponsored Projects Finance (SPF), and the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) Subawards team; research and communicate funding, award, and policy updates.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage new, continuation, and revised project budgets, including progress reports and no-cost extensions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, non-federal, university, and sponsor regulations; monitor deadlines, support audits, and address compliance issues.
• Carry out sponsor prior-approval requests, including Just-in-Time (JIT) and Progress Report Additional Materials (PRAM) requests, carryovers, no-cost extensions, personnel changes, award transfers, and relinquishments.
• Coordinate the department’s outgoing subcontract process, including proposal development, renewals, and submission coordination with SPA.
• Conduct internal pre-award mock reviews for new, resubmitted, and renewal grant applications prior to SPA review.
• Liaise with departmental and external leadership on salary allocations, RASCAL approvals, salary confirmations, and funding source inquiries.
• Collaborate with the CUIMC Subawards team and SPF on subaward setup, monitoring, and invoicing.
• Maintain post-award financial and administrative tools, including reconciliation reports, tracking systems, templates, effort calculations, and the epi-grants mailbox.
• Assist the Director of Research and Finance with SOP development, process improvements, email management, and workflow coordination.
• Provide cross-coverage for administrative functions and perform additional duties as assigned.
• Attend SPA forums and training sessions to remain current on research administration and university policies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, plus four years related experience are required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Business Administration or Non- Profit Management.
• Familiarity with grant application systems such as proposal central and ASSIST.
• Familiarity with the University's financial system.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and University policies and regulations regarding the receipt and administration of grants and contracts.
• Preferred experience in higher education setting.
• Any of the following active Research Certifications CRA/ CPRA/ CFRA.
• Ability to evaluate financial questions, make recommendations and follow up to assure compliance, as well as ability to manage a diverse range of projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, plus proficiency in Word and Excel.
• Strong management and organizational skills and exquisite attention to detail.
• Significant experience using Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure with multiple and competing deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team, with administrative, research, and financial staff.