RSCH ADM 4 RP

About the role

This newly created Senior Research Administrator (RA) position will deliver specialized post-award support to a designated research group, while working cross-functionally with various research administration areas to facilitate compliant and efficient award management.

Responsibilities

• Leads the organization, planning, establishment and monitoring of fiscal budget control of contracts and grants administration, submissions, budgets, support documents, gifts, endowments, and privately funded projects for faculty research programs
• Administers, in coordination with central and departmental administrators, the administrative and financial aspects of complex, awarded projects with broad impact
• Reviews award letters and budgets with Principal Investigators, Division Managers and others as necessary (e.g., purchasing agents) to assure that funds will be spent within budget and in compliance with awarding agency and campus policies
• Reviews budget allocations for policy exceptions, conceives of and maintains chart of accounts or other data management tools, and related business processes
• Reviews and reconciles ledger accounts
• Provides highly complex financial projections, analysis, and recommendations
• Applies professional knowledge / experience to oversee and / or approve financial transactions
• Attends campus and departmental post-award meetings and training to ensure continuous learning and knowledge of updated policies and procedures
• Maintains professional relationships with sponsor representatives
• Initiates and or approves payroll distribution changes to ensure integrity of payroll charged to research accounts
• Prepares financial transactions
• Independently gathers information as needed to perform financial analysis
• Initiates and maintains timely and effective communication with all relevant parties throughout the entire post-award process (e.g. agencies, investigators, department administrators, central partners, service contractors, etc.)
• Provides guidance and counsel on wide variety of highly complex research administration matters to principal investigators, laboratory members, project managers, and senior departmental administrators, including supporting and guiding the team through transitions to new systems (e.g. Project One, Oracle Cloud Manager)
• Ensures complete and accurate collection of research management administration data at all stages of the contract and grant life cycle
• Independently oversees award reporting and ensures the timely closeout of sponsored funds including tracking of spending for accuracy in a timely manner
• Research and identify outstanding issues inhibiting closeout and resolve with sponsor agencies as needed
• Generate financial reports and/or invoices required by the Controller’s Office and sponsoring agencies
• Analyze the need and timing of requesting fund advances as needed
• Maintains up to date Other Support pages locally and within sponsor required systems
• Coordinate the closeout of projects, including subcontract closeouts, financial reports, grant transfers and relinquishments, as appropriate
• Facilitates the supply chain process relevant to program needs, including maintaining Master Service Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Certificates of Insurance, and resolving errors identified by the PI(s) and study team
• Administratively reviews complex grant or contract budgets and awards, obtains / verifies / maintains necessary and applicable compliance approvals
• Maintains professional relationships with sponsor representatives to develop detailed understanding of funding opportunities, needs and requirements
• Leads initiatives to develop best practices, streamline processes, and develop resources for researchers

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance or Government Accounting and 5+ years related experience and / or equivalent experience / training
• Extensive knowledge of program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment
• Advanced knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures and techniques
• Maintains knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional and departmental policies. Knowledge of current compliance regulations in all areas of research administration
• Ability to manage high volume and complex transactions
• Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles
• Demonstrated advanced competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports. Excellent computer skills and facility with using MS Excel e.g., (sorting, pivot tables, filtering, basic formulas)
• Knowledge of general fund accounting, purchasing, and budgeting, financial projection and business planning concepts
• Strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas
• Proven superior analytical, interpersonal, communication (verbal and written), organizational and problem solving skills
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA)