26-115: Department Research Administrator

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The individual in this position will provide financial and project management support for a diverse portfolio of sponsored research projects to ensure they are successfully managed from proposal development through project completion. Working closely with principal investigators, the CIRA Finance Team, and university stakeholders, the individual in this position will oversee budget planning, financial monitoring, proposal preparation, and compliance with sponsor and university requirements. This role will help ensure research activities remain on schedule, within budget, and aligned with organizational and sponsor expectations while supporting the institute's overall research mission.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
Experience using Microsoft Office, with advanced knowledge of Excel
Knowledge/experience with budgeting, accounting, and/or financial management
Time management/ task prioritization skills essential to meeting critical deadlines
Information-gathering skills with ability to use information to make a decision/solve problems
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the start of the position because CIRA will not sponsor a visa for this position now nor in the future.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business
Experience with interpreting and ensuring compliance with regulatory policy
Financial working knowledge and project management within an institution of higher education
Effective oral and written communication skills
Certification in Research Administration such as CRA, CPRA, CFRA.

Responsibilities

Manage a diverse portfolio of sponsored research awards, including federal, international, private sector, and non-profit grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements by monitoring financial activity, making day-to-day expenditure decisions, and ensuring compliance with sponsor and university requirements.
Facilitate the preparation and submission of scientific research proposals to federal, state, local, international, industry, foundation, and other sponsors by managing proposal timelines and ensuring compliance with sponsor and university requirements.
Interpret sponsor regulations, university policies, and award terms to provide financial guidance, resolve complex funding and compliance issues, and recommend appropriate courses of action to project stakeholders.
Maintain and analyze project forecasts, staffing plans, and expenditure tracking tools to monitor spending, project available balances, anticipate funding needs, and support informed decision-making throughout the award lifecycle.
Collaborate across functional teams, including principal investigators, the Office of Sponsored Programs, university departments, and external partners, to resolve complex research administration, financial, and compliance issues; interpret sponsor and institutional policies; and coordinate pre-award and post-award activities to ensure effective stewardship and successful management of sponsored research throughout the award lifecycle.