Senior Grants Research Administrator

Senior Grants Research Administrator Benefits of working at VCU

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Job Code 26214-26216 Recruitment Pool All Applicants Posting Number req5747 Unit College of Humanit and Sciences MBU Department CHS-SPO Department Website Link has.vcu.edu Location VCU Address 828 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284 USA Duties & Responsibilities

Summary:

The College of Humanities and Sciences Sponsored Programs Office (CHS-SPO) is seeking applicants for a Senior Grants Research Administrator position. This position will support both the Director and Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs and is responsible for the training of pre/post-award activities, serves as a point of contact for the CHS-SPO team and will assist in the development of outreach activities for CHS faculty and staff.

In addition, this person will focus on high-priority and complex proposals, financial activities and ensuring compliance at all levels. This role will focus on cross-training to ensure skill flexibility and the day-to-day aspects of pre- and post-award research administration for an assigned grants portfolio including reviewing funding opportunities, budget development, coordinating subcontract arrangements, award verification and set up, preparation of sponsor-required financial reports, index reconciliation, and review/submission of various post-award administrative tasks (i.e., NCEs, re-budgeting requests, prior approval requests, etc.). The individual will be expected to work both independently and collaboratively with the CHS-SPO team.

The VCU job series for these positions is Senior Specialist in the Legal, Audit and Compliance job family. For more information, please see VCU Human Resources' Job Family and Salary Ranges at https://hr.vcu.edu/career-development/compensation-/.

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Typical Duties

Leadership Development, Oversight and Monitoring: 35%

• Assists the Director and Assistant Director of CHS-SPO to coordinate leadership and development activities in support of the promotion and growth of externally funded activities.

• Assists in the development and implementation pre/post-award focused training and outreach efforts to the institutional faculty and staff.

• Manages complex sponsored portfolios of various departmental faculty.

• Provides recommendations for policies and procedures relating to pre-and post-award administration by identifying areas where such polices need to be developed, and to integrate these recommendations into CHS-SPO's mission.

• Notifies the Director of CHS-SPO of critical and/or sensitive issues related to the management and administration of sponsored projects, including interpretation of related University policies and sponsor regulations.

• Secondary reviewer and unit approver of proposal submissions. Responsible for assuring that proposals adhere to CHS, institutional and sponsor policies and requirements.

• Reviews and approves research grant related journal voucher entries, cost transfers, purchases (RealSource and P-card), travel, and research related hiring requests.

• Assists in the oversight and coordination of pre-award actions, post-award actions, the monthly grant reconciliation process, effort reporting and cost share management.

Pre-Award Duties: 30%

• Assist with grant proposal processing tasks including preparation of grant, subcontract, and contract proposals for new research projects and continuation/supplemental funding proposals for existing projects

• Review funding opportunity announcements

• Assist faculty with budget development

• Review proposal documents for compliance, completion of internal and sponsor forms (budget justifications, biographical sketches, institutional background descriptions, etc.)

Post-Award Duties: 30%

• Perform monthly financial reconciliation of assigned sponsored program indexes

• Fulfill grant management responsibilities (e.g. award review and setup, no cost extensions (NCEs) prior approval requests, re-budgeting requests, and effort reporting)

• Provide detailed review and analysis of award agreements and contract documents to maintain compliance with local, state, university, and federal regulations

• Assist faculty with grant financial reports

• Initiate the grant close out process at the conclusion of research projects

Other Duties as Assigned: 5%

• Completes other duties as assigned in a timely and professional manner as requested by the Director or Assistant Director of CHS-SPO.

The individual will be expected to work collaboratively with VCU's Office of Grants & Contracts to resolve accounting issues as well as VCU's Division of Sponsored Programs to coordinate the submission of grant proposals and post award administrative actions and reports.

As a member of the CHS-SPO Team, the individual will assist by providing answers and education to College of Humanities and Sciences' employees on issues pertaining to grants and federal compliance.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA), or relevant certification in Project Management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field and/or five or more years of experience in research administration.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

• Knowledge of state and federal regulations related to research administration, including Uniform Guidance (2CFR200), and cost accounting standards.

• Knowledge and experience working with grant and contract procedures.

• Ability to apply and interpret university and federal policies, procedures, laws, and regulations concerning sponsored projects.

• Open and collaborative style that encourages teamwork and cooperation.

• Ability to work well under deadline pressures, exhibiting sound judgment without sacrificing accuracy or customer service.

• Excellent computer skills in the use of MS Office with emphasis on Excel spreadsheets and MS Word processing.

• Knowledge of various electronic sponsor portal systems.

• Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Ability to reason, think logically, and analyze situations to achieve resolution of problems or concerns.

• Demonstrated ability to research, investigate, analyze, and evaluate all project-related data regarding budgets and expenditures for each assigned project.

• Exceptional communication, organization skills, customer service, and interpersonal skills.

• Must have the ability to effectively and clearly answer inquiries of faculty, staff, and sponsors.

Typical Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Physical Demands

Light lifting (<20 lbs.) marginal
Pushing/pulling marginal

Walking essential

Standing marginal

Climbing essential

Sitting essential

Reaching marginal

Bending marginal

Repetitive motion marginal

Emotional Demands

Fast pace essential

Average pace marginal

Multiple stimuli essential

Frequent change essential

Intense customer interaction essential

Mental/Sensory Demands

Memory essential

Reasoning essential

Hearing essential

Reading essential

Analyzing essential

Logic essential

Verbal communication essential

Written communication essential

FLSA University Employee Job FTE 1 Exemption Status Exempt Restricted Position No E-Class UF - University Employee FT Job Category University Employee ORP Eligible No Salary Range $70,000 to $80,000 Compensation Type Salaried Target Hire Date 8/10/2024 Contact Information for Candidates

Felicia Harris

s2fmharr@vcu.edu

804-827-0861

Documents Needed to Apply Cover letter, resume, diversity statement, and three professional references with contact information.