Financial Administrator 3, Spon Act, SRS

MIT • Cambridge, MA

13d

About The Position

The Senior Research Administrator is a member of the fiscal team in MIT’s Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE), a large interdisciplinary laboratory with a diverse sponsor base and annual activities exceeding $85 million. The laboratory submits more than 275 proposals to federal and industrial sponsors each year.

The position advises and serves as the primary point of contact for Principal Investigators and project leaders on complex post-award matters (50%). It monitors the financial performance of active grants and contracts, provides regular updates to Principal Investigators, and verifies the proper distribution and use of funds. The role also provides financial analysis and oversight on complex matters and prepares standard and non-standard reports for Principal Investigators, senior administrators, and sponsors. It monitors sponsored research and discretionary accounts for compliance with MIT and sponsor policies throughout the award lifecycle, including closeout.

The position also works with Principal Investigators to develop research proposal budgets and prepare administrative content for proposal submissions to a broad sponsor base (50%). It collaborates with the RLE Fiscal Team on solutions to complex issues and regularly interacts with Research Administrative Service, the Vice President for Finance Office, and departments across MIT. The position reports to the Director of Research Administration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• At least four years of experience in accounting or finance.
• Knowledge of federal sponsored research guidelines.
• Related experience with federal contracts and financial administration in an academic research environment.
• Experience with research proposal preparation, pre-award administration, and sponsored research award administration.
• High proficiency in Excel and familiarity with other Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong work ethic and customer experience skills and focus.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn new business methods and computational skills.
• Demonstrated record of assuming greater responsibility over time.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a productive, innovative team.
• Aptitude for working in a fast-paced, challenging environment and comfort with flexibility as circumstances change.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of enterprise financial systems, grants management tools, and multidimensional databases.
• MIT experience.

Responsibilities

• Advise and serve as the primary point of contact for Principal Investigators and project leaders on complex post-award matters.
• Monitor the financial performance of active grants and contracts and provide regular updates to Principal Investigators.
• Verify the proper distribution of resources and use of funds.
• Provide financial analysis and oversight on complex matters.
• Prepare standard and non-standard reports for Principal Investigators, senior administrators, and sponsors.
• Monitor sponsored research and discretionary accounts for compliance with MIT and sponsor policies throughout the award lifecycle, including closeout.
• Work with Principal Investigators to develop research proposal budgets and prepare administrative content for proposal submissions.
• Collaborate with RLE Fiscal Team members to develop solutions for complex issues.
• Interact regularly with Research Administrative Service, the Vice President for Finance Office, and departments across MIT.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level