Proposal Manager, Office of Research Administration

About the role

The Proposal Manager at Colorado School of Mines is responsible for the management of research and other sponsored proposals through the Office of Research Administration (ORA). This position serves as a key member of the Proposal Analyst unit, assisting faculty in ensuring compliant proposal submissions.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret proposal guidelines and sponsor expectations to develop compliant proposal budgets.
• Determine the completeness of proposals by ensuring all agency and School requirements are met and necessary forms and certifications are prepared.
• Submit approved proposals by the sponsor mandated deadline.
• Coordinate the information dissemination and proposal submission process for the School's subrecipients, subcontractors, or third-party contributors.
• Accurately incorporate the subrecipient's proposal into the School's proposal and budget.
• Apply knowledge of a variety of cost information to create institutionally approved proposal budgets, coordinate with other units on campus for any cost waivers, and verify any institutional funds or resources used for cost matching.
• If costs are determined unallowable, recommend changes to the faculty.
• Perform cost negotiations with project sponsors, including a justification of costs and explanation of school policies and business practices.
• Manage a team of Proposal Analysts by monitoring the schedule and development of sponsored project proposals for Mines.
• Provide formal and informal training to faculty members and department administrators on proposal requirements, federal regulations, allowable costs, statements of work, indirect costs, etc.
• Sign sponsor representations and certifications, specifically the standard federal representations and certifications included in grant application templates, including Letters of Commitment and cost share.
• Create and maintain proposal creation and submission information on the web site.
• Implement and maintain the software for the institutional data repository, ensuring accurate data is entered and track all proposals through the data repository, reviewing and providing final approval when ready.
• Communicate with faculty to ensure all information for a proposal submission, including the budget and supporting documentation, follows School and sponsor guidelines.
• Interpret and explain federal, School, or state regulations and policies to faculty and other School personnel in order to help them understand the proposal process and how the regulations apply to individual proposals.
• Provide formal and informal training to faculty members and departmental staff regarding school policy and procedures and sponsoring agency rules and regulations in relation to the proposal submission process.
• Participate in office-wide process evaluation and reengineering efforts, making recommendations and leading improvements efforts when approved.

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in business or related field
• Six years experience in research administration
• Advanced experience using databases, presentation software, and enterprise financial systems
• Advanced experience critically analyzing information and using problem-solving skills in order to make independent decisions
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
• Self-motivated and able to multitask in order to meet deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in research administration, business administration, or related field
• Seven or more years experience in research administration
• Experience working in an Institute of Higher Education
• Proposal development experience for both federal and non-federal sponsors