Grants Research Administrator - Pre and Post Award

Title: Grants Research Administrator (Pre and Post Award)

Location: VCU Main Campus United States

Job Description:

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: College of Humanities and Sciences MBU

Department: Sponsored Programs Office

Duties & Responsibilities:

The College of Humanities and Sciences Sponsored Programs Office (CHS-SPO) is seeking applicants to a Grants Research Administrator position. This position will primarily be responsible for the day-to-day aspects of pre and post-award research administration. Pre-award expectations include reviewing funding opportunities, budget development, coordinating subcontract arrangements, etc. Post-award expectations include 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, and etc.) for an assigned grants portfolio. We are seeking to hire two successful candidates from this posting responsible for pre-award duties and post-award duties. The individual(s) will be expected to work both independently and collaboratively with the CHS-SPO Team.

VCU combines learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 "most innovative" public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here your success is supported, and your career can thrive.

VCU is proud to support and prioritize the hiring of veterans. As part of this commitment, your years of military service can be credited toward our leave plan, potentially increasing your annual leave accrual.

The position falls under the Associate Research Administrator classification within VCU's Research and Innovation job family. For additional details, please visit VCU Human Resources' Job Family and Salary Ranges here.

Pre-Award Duties

• 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
• Thoroughly 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.)
• Prepare proposals in the university's grant management system, RAMS-SPOT, and/or directly in the sponsor portal, in a timely manner to successfully meet the grant proposal deadline.

Post-Award Duties

• 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
• Initiate and complete labor distributions and/or post cost transfer requests as needed
• Assist faculty with grant financial reports
• Initiate the grant close out process at the conclusion of research projects

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 in providing answers and education to College of Humanities and Sciences' employees on issues pertaining to grants and federal compliance. This position will complete other duties as assigned in a timely and professional manner as requested by the Director of CHS-SPO.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field and/or two or more years of experience in research administration
• Ability to work well under deadline pressures, exhibiting sound judgement without sacrificing accuracy or customer service in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU
• Knowledge and experience in 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
• 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
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations related to research administration, including Uniform Guidance (2CFR200), and Cost Accounting Standards
• Must demonstrate an interest and willingness to learn the ins and outs of pre and post award grant administration

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.

Salary Range: $50,000 to $70,000

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid