Summary

The Research Administration Manager oversees the post-award financial management of grants and contracts within the Department of Pediatrics. This position requires comprehensive knowledge of the full sponsored award lifecycle, from proposal development and submission through award closeout, with primary responsibility for post-award financial administration, compliance, and fiscal oversight. The Manager provides leadership and guidance in grants and contracts management, serving as a key resource to faculty and staff on sponsored research administration matters.

The position is responsible for the work and results of direct reports and will be a resource for grant and contract administration for the Department. Management Responsibilities include oversight of cost assessment, budget development, financial set-up, resource allocation, and preparation of quarterly reports. Implements standard operating procedures and ensures institutional and federal compliance.

The Research Administration Manager develops and implements standard operating procedures, promotes operational efficiency and continuous improvement, and ensures compliance with institutional policies, sponsor requirements, and federal regulations governing sponsored research. Position will assist the Director of Research Administration in managing the day-to-day activities of a Grants & Contracts team. Develops, implements, and oversees programs, to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor guidelines. 

After initial training and onboarding, the position is a hybrid role typically working 2 days in office. Office hours are 8 AM - 5 PM (+/- 1 hour).

Employees with CRA certification are eligible for certification pay.

Job Duties

• Provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the design, implementation, and management of post-award grants and contracts administration activities within the Department of Pediatrics.
• Directly supervises and manages the Pediatrics Grants & Contracts team, including workload allocation, staff development, quality assurance, performance management, and continuous process improvement.
• Oversees the reconciliation, monitoring, and financial stewardship of sponsored awards to ensure compliance with institutional policies, sponsor requirements, and federal regulations.
• Reviews and monitors post-award expenditures to ensure costs are accurate, allowable, allocable, appropriate, and fully supported.
• Oversees grant and contract financial reporting utilizing SAP, BRAIN, Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), and other institutional reporting tools to support decision-making and fiscal management.
• Monitors investigator effort commitments and communicates effort allocation and salary support requirements to investigators and departmental leadership.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on sponsored research administration, providing guidance and training to faculty, investigators, and staff on regulatory requirements, institutional policies, and best practices.
• Develops, implements, and maintains standard operating procedures to promote consistency, operational efficiency, and compliance across grants and contracts management activities.
• Partners with Division Heads, Division Administrators, principal investigators, and institutional stakeholders to support research strategy, financial planning, and portfolio management.
• Prepares and presents financial, operational, and research activity reports to CRA and division leadership to support informed decision-making and resource allocation.
• Promotes a culture of accountability, customer service, collaboration, and operational excellence within the research administration function.
• Assists with pre-award activities and grant submission processes as necessary. 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree. Certified Research Administrator certification through the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) may substitute for the degree requirement.
• Four years of relevant experience. 

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience with grants and contracts experience in a research or academic healthcare setting. 
• Experience with budgeting, account reconciliation, time and effort entry, financial reporting.
• Able to navigate and use financial and accounting management systems. 
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Excel.