Sponsored Research Administrator

About the role

The SRA will provide operational support and guidance to faculty for sponsored research activities at the College, both pre- and post-award. Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, this position will manage Bennington’s participation in the NSF EPSCoR STRIVE program and support grant monitoring, outcome reporting, and budget expenditures.

Responsibilities

• Manage Bennington’s participation in this multi-college collaboration.
• Attend virtual and in-person meetings related to this work.
• Support the PI in tracking expenditures, monitoring and recording activities and progress, and preparing and submitting progress reports to the lead institution (Landmark College).
• Aid faculty in submitting “STaRS” seed grant proposals and in post-award management when seed grants are funded.
• Serve on STRIVE-related committees as needed, such as evaluating and judging seed grants, Research Development and Management Work Group, Operations, and others.
• Support Bennington and multi-college publicity activities for STRIVE.
• Advance the STRIVE goals to boost the research enterprise at the College.
• Research grant and fellowship opportunities using websites, databases, etc.
• Provide timely information to faculty on grant and fellowship opportunities (e.g. on the Intranet and via Faculty Notes).
• Meet with faculty individually to learn about their research aims and trajectories, explore potential funding sources, and plan proposals.
• Support faculty in proposal preparation (e.g., thoroughly reading and understanding guidelines and requirements, reviewing draft narratives, budgeting, providing institutional documents, etc.) and monitor deadlines. Where necessary and appropriate, act as Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) to submit proposals (e.g., NSF and other government agencies).
• Organize occasional workshops for faculty to mentor them on grant preparation procedures, e.g. topics such as budgeting, evaluation, etc.
• Work with faculty PIs to set up systems and procedures for tracking and monitoring grant project activities and expenditures; collaborate with the Budget Manager and Academic Liaison, Provost’s Office, and other staff as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all sponsor regulations including research security, ethics, and integrity. Work with faculty PIs and others to prepare narrative and financial reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Certificate in research administration preferred.
• 2-3 years of experience in research administration, a grants office, or related.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sponsored research practices and procedures.
• Familiarity with external government and foundation sponsors and online portals such as Research.gov, Grants.gov, and similar.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, conflict management, and organization.
• Quantitative skills necessary to understand and help prepare grant budgets.
• Experience using spreadsheets and word processing; Google environment preferred. Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat preferred.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty and staff intra- and inter-institutionally. Skilled at relationship-building.
• Ability to explain—and follow—policies and procedures clearly and patiently.
• Commitment to diversity, belonging, fairness, and inclusion in all aspects of professional practice.
• Ability to handle a wide range of tasks in a small office and school setting; flexibility, resourcefulness, and positive attitude.
• Thoroughness and persistence; willingness to pursue answers to difficult questions (e.g., ambiguities in guidelines) immediately and completely.
• Strong service orientation with a focus on continuous process improvement.

Pay

The salary for this grant funded position starts at $63,000.

Benefits

The College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and tuition benefits, including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits.