Brown University — Grants and Contracts Manager
Filed in Administrative on April 20, 2023
Job Description:
Brown University School of Engineering is growing!! For this new position we are seeking a Research Administration Manager to assist with overseeing our growing team of Research Administrators and maintain a deep level of advanced knowledge of principles, practices and procedures used in research administration. This position provides high‐level comprehensive pre‐ and post‐ award management and financial services to the School of Engineering’s (SoE) Research Administration office, faculty and students. This individual will advise Principal Investigators on best practices to achieve an effective, quality proposal and/or post-award management (e.g., forecasting) in addition to regularly applying comprehensive knowledge of the sponsored project lifecycle.
The successful candidate will have superior skills and will take a leadership role in promoting innovative professional growth for our research administration staff. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated candidate looking to foster collaboration, break barriers, and impart positive change.
Supporting Actions:
Supervising:
- Coach, review and delegate work to entry and intermediate level professionals. May assist with leading the work of others and assigning tasks. Acts as a resource for junior staff.
- Verify others’ work for accurate completion of proposal information, including all needed supporting documentation.
- Provide training to junior staff and help with development of department orientation materials.
- Support all administrative supervisory aspects including but not limited to interviewing, hiring, orienting, timesheet approval, coaching, disciplining, etc.
- Participate in goal setting for direct reports, quarterly touch-base meetings and annual valuation.
Faculty Research Administration Support:
- Provide Principal Investigator with monitoring reconciliation of grants and contracts to ensure expenses are being paid according to contract.
- Independently oversee all aspects of a complicated grant portfolio performing tasks in support of more complex, multi-faceted or non-standard proposals, both federal and non-federal sponsors (National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, DARPA, Department of Energy, private industry and foundations).
- Independently manage the post-award process (e.g., reconciliation, internal and external financial reporting) and monitor awards received.
- Interpret regulations and guidelines of multiple programs funding with relatively complex and broad guidelines for spending.
- Assist project directors in interpreting sponsor or third party regulations.
- Review and approve expenditures for materials, equipment, support staff and travel.
Department Leadership:
- Assist in developing and implementing administrative policies and procedures.
- Maintain Unit compliance records as needed.
- Counsel staff on all topics related to post-award administration.
- May provide accounting support (e.g., journal entries, vouchers, non-pod’s). May prepare monthly and yearly budget projections and plans for management approval for a moderate number of project grants. May create, maintain and reconcile detailed budgets and take corrective action when necessary.
- Manage large projects or processes for more complex sponsors (DARPA, ONR, DOE, etc…)
- Review transactions and resolve issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing and/or effort reporting knowledge. Develop complex project budget per sponsor requirements/guidelines. Create multi-year budgets for complex projects.
- Ensure compliance with all appropriate policies and procedures. Ability to identify misconduct, noncompliance and nonperformance and properly report. May resolve larger-size compliance related issues. Identify potential compliance-related issues and offer suggestions for handling before escalating larger issues to Supervisor. Participate in the development and implementation of departmental policies.
- May review complex sponsor guidelines and accurately interpret solicitation requirements for application with University policies.
- Build and maintain relationships with internal departments, colleagues, and external individuals.
- Serve on internal and external committees and workgroups. Represent the department to other administrators with moderate authority to make commitments on behalf of the unit.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or STEM preferred.
- 5 to 7 years of finance and budget experience and research administration experience or equivalent combination of education/experience.
- Experience with proposal preparation with federal and non-federal grants and using the InfoEd/Coeus grants management (or similar) system
- Familiarity with eRA Commons, NSF Fastlane, Research.gov and/or Grants.gov preferred
- Higher-Education or non-profit work experience preferred
Job Competencies
- Previous experience supervising staff preferred.
- Excellent administrative and organizational skills and the ability to prioritize own workload and workload of others. Strong time management and critical thinking skills.
- Initiative and judgment to independently problem solve and ability to organize, prioritize workload and meet deadlines in a multi‐task, multi‐faceted work environment while maintaining careful attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and implement short and long-term goals independently, but also as a strong team member when the situation warrants.
- Strong analytical, research and problem-solving skills.
- Must be able to work with large volumes of work, multiple project deadlines, and diverse personalities.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Programs; particularly Excel (Word & PowerPoint), Google Docs, Web based programs and tools.
- Excellent financial skills as well as familiarity with OMB federal circulars, federal agencies’ policy and procedures, and other relevant federal agencies’ practices.
- Excellent customer service skills and a strong service orientation.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, to elicit and communicate information, analyze data, and to prepare /present clear, informative, and concise materials.
- File management skills.
- Willingness and interest to assume increasing responsibilities, networking, leadership and training opportunities.
- Ability to work under pressure in a deadline-oriented environment.
- Possesses a willingness and ability to support a diverse and inclusive campus community and handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Brown University offers a flexible work/life balance; summer hours, winter break and a comprehensive Benefits package including time off, annual paid holidays; benefits offerings including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, wellness, employee discounts and more. To learn about Brown University’s benefits, visit the UHR web page here for further information.
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and education verification.
In order to achieve near-universal vaccination, Brown University is requiring all employees to receive the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. All newly hired staff at Brown University must receive the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they begin work, unless they are approved for a medical or religious exemption. For more information, please visit University Human Resources.
Recruiting Start Date:
2022-09-28
Job Posting Title:
Grants and Contracts Manager
Department:
School of Engineering
Grade:
Grade 10
Worker Type:
Employee
Worker Sub-Type:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
37.5
Position Classification:
Hybrid Eligible
Submission Guidelines:
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
Vaccination Requirements:
In order to maintain 90% or greater universal vaccination rates on campus, all newly hired employees at Brown University must receive the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they begin work, unless they are approved for a medical or religious exemption. All employees must also receive a COVID-19 booster within thirty (30) days of becoming eligible. For more information, please visit the Healthy Brown site.
Still Have Questions?
If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu.
EEO Statement:
Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.
As an EEO/AA employer, Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.
