Senior Research Administrator, Post Award

Department: College of Science

Classification: Financial Svcs Specialist 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 05

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The College of Science is committed to enhancing the College's strength in the sciences by promoting excellence in research. Our pioneering research initiatives provide world-class scientific leadership in a wide variety of areas important to modern society. The College promotes diversity, and recruits the brightest faculty, students, and staff to create a vibrant and dynamic environment of learning and inquiry. The College enhances the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the University by responding to the needs of the community and creating spires of excellence.

George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (AJEDI) throughout our STEM community, including within our hiring and retention practices. At Mason Science, our values include fostering an organizational culture that promotes Anti-Racism, belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that a diversity of opinions, cultures, and perspectives is what provides vibrancy, innovation and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing inclusive excellence in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract a diverse pool of faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

George Mason University's local Research Administration provides post-award research administration services to faculty.

The Senior Research Administrator in the College of Science is responsible for managing post-award activities in support of an assigned portfolio of grants and contracts within one or more units (i.e., school, department, division, institute, or center) using knowledge of grant and contract management rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills. Post-award activities include regular review, reconciliation, and projection of award finances, preparing adjustments and corrections to award budgets, preparing financial reports, and at the end of the award, ensuring all financial requirements have been met and closing out the award. This position interacts regularly with and provides high quality customer service to faculty members conducting sponsored research and ensures adherence to quality standards and all policies and award regulations.

Responsibilities:

The Sr. Research Administrator will be responsible for managing post-award activities in support of an assigned portfolio of grants and contracts within one or more units (i.e., school, department, division, institute, or center) using knowledge of grant and contract management rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills. Upon award acceptance, the Sr. Research Administrator will define account establishment parameters, including billing and reporting requirements, budget, and cost sharing obligations. The incumbent will apply federal and university rules to management of effort allocation appropriately for individuals compensated whole or in part from federal awards.

Post-award activities include regular review, reconciliation, and projection of award finances, preparing adjustments and corrections to award budgets, preparing financial reports, and at the end of the award, ensuring all financial requirements have been met and closing out the award following the timelines. Interacts regularly with PIs and faculty members conducting sponsored research, providing high quality customer service and ensuring adherence to quality standards and all policies and award regulations.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage budget, reporting and compliance timelines through the lifecycle of the grant or contract;

• Complete financial reports to be sent to sponsor, as required by the award terms and conditions;

• Complete invoice and prepare for sponsor (for certain award types only);

• Assist PIs with non-financial report submissions, as necessary;

• Coordinate and submit requests for No Cost Extensions, Carryover, rebudgeting requests, changes in scope, and other changes to the award; ensure all requests are done in compliance with sponsor guidelines and University policies;

• Facilitate the approval of invoices to pay subcontractors;

• Review effort reports and manage quarterly effort certification process for assigned units; and

• Assist in transferring awards out of the university.

Additionally, the Senior Research Administrator may be asked to complete the following tasks, in an informal lead role within the College unit:

• Working with a team of Post-Award Specialists and monitoring the day-to-day activities, by providing guidance and support;

• Monitor workload distribution and raise any concerns to the administrative lead;

• Coordinate with research administrative lead regarding pre-award activities, issue resolution, and workload distribution;

• Work with the research administrative lead to, among other responsibilities, to ensure quality in all staff activities and strong levels of customer service to faculty and departments being served; and

• Work with Pre-Award team lead to coordinate inter-team meetings to facilitate collaboration between the pre-award and post-award teams, as necessary and appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;

• Considerable progressive experience related to grants and contracts management (typically 5+ years);

• Knowledge of federal rules and regulations relating to research grant and/or contract activity;

• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects/tasks simultaneously and to manage large volume of complex awards;

• Ability to interact and communicate with senior leadership and communicate effectively with colleagues and peers to jointly solve questions and challenges in their daily work;

• Familiarity with financial processes and controls including the reconciliation process;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and customer service orientation;

• Excellent organizational and analytical skills, problem solving skills, and high attention to detail;

• Ability to create high-quality data-driven reports;

• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision;

• Ability to mentor personnel for professional development; and

• Proficient use of computers, specifically solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a closely related field or relevant combination of education and experience;

• Experience in Sponsored Programs Administration or related field preferred;

• Knowledge of University Processes, systems and offices, related to and/or involved in grant and contract submission management; and

• Knowledge of the Banner Financial system, or demonstrated ability to learn complex electronic systems related to grants and contracts management.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Senior Research Administrator, Post Award at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: June 11, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: June 26, 2024

Open Until Filled?: Yes