Grant & Contract Analyst - Open Rank

University of Massachusetts Medical School•Worcester, MA

About The Position

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the general supervision of the Associate Director, Grant Accounting & Compliance or designee, the Grant & Contract Analyst performs varied financial and administrative functions to monitor compliance of post-award grants, contracts, and restricted gifts while adhering to governing policies, regulations, and requirements. The Grant & Contract Analyst will work with internal and external stakeholders to manage post-award financial transactions, reconcile financial accounts, and prepare financial reports to ensure continued funding for research in support of the mission and values of the university. This is an open-rank posting (there are 4 levels of Grant & Contract Analyst) - candidates will be hired into the level commensurate with their experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance or related field or equivalent experience
0-1 years related business experience
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written skills needed to present and communicate effectively with a diverse population of stakeholders
Demonstrated time management and problem-solving skills with ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
Demonstrated understanding of financial documents such as system reports at summary and detail levels.
3+ years related business experience
Demonstrated time management and problem-solving skills with ability to organize and prioritize workload, identify problem areas and take action to meet deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret financial documents such as system reports at summary and detail levels.
5+ years related business experience
7+ years related business experience

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of OMB Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
Knowledge of NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Professional Certification in Research Administration (CRA) or Master’s Degree in Research Administration
Proficiency with multiple and varied web-based reporting systems

Responsibilities

Contribute to monitoring and analysis activities of the university portfolio of research project grants, contracts, and restricted gifts, from award through closeout to protect the integrity of the university’s research enterprise.
Enter award data in the financial system of record to establish the project record. Utilize reports and queries to monitor expenditures for accuracy and adherence to required policies and regulations. Work with departments to ensure appropriate action and resolution of issues.
Process invoices and payments based on the terms of the contract to ensure cash management requirements. Manage reconciliation of receipts and accounts receivable.
Identify sponsor terms and conditions that require attention.
Collaborate with departments to facilitate best grants management practices. Provide guidance and direction to external department staff to resolve compliance issues. Take appropriate action to process necessary corrections.
Reconcile expenditures, disbursements, and receipts. Prepare and submit financial reports to ensure compliance with sponsor and institution requirements.
Collaborate with pre-award staff in all grants management processes and procedures to ensure excellent customer service standard.
Demonstrate willingness and interest in assuming increasing levels of responsibilities and networking.
Communicate in a clear and concise manner to elicit and disperse information.
Perform other duties as required.
Monitor and analyze a portfolio of research project grants, contracts, and restricted gifts, including component budgets, from award through closeout to protect the integrity of the university’s research enterprise and ensure continued funding for research.
Create the award/project in the financial system of record, accurately reflecting the sponsor terms, special conditions and reporting requirements, providing the Principal Investigator and administrators with the necessary information to meet deliverables and continue to be eligible for future funding.
Monitor expenditures for accuracy and adherence to required policies and regulations. Guide administrators and Principal Investigators in appropriate corrective action to ensure resolution of issues and continued funding for research projects.
Invoice sponsors based on the terms of the contract to ensure cash management requirements have been met. Act on behalf of the institution to resolve any questions. Manage payments, reconciliation of receipts, and accounts receivable.
Identify sponsor terms and conditions that require attention and communicate to Principal Investigators and department staff creative solutions to address the issue and ensure continued funding.
Analyze and reconcile expenditures, disbursements, and receipts. Prepare and submit financial reports to ensure compliance with sponsor and institution requirements.
Utilize reports and queries to monitor accuracy of data for compliance purposes and accuracy in the financial system of record.
Participate in policy and procedure review and improvement; provide feedback.
Monitor and analyze a sizable portfolio of complex grants, contracts, and restricted gifts, including multiple budget components, and prominent departments from award through closeout to protect the integrity of the university’s research enterprise and ensure continued funding for research
Assess and analyze award documentation; create and record the award data in the financial system of record following the terms and conditions, special conditions, approved budget and reporting requirements, providing the basis for university reporting and management. Review setup work of less experienced staff to ensure accurate interpretation and system data.
Review and analyze expenditures for accuracy and adherence to required policies and regulations. Guide administrators and Principal Investigators in appropriate corrective action to ensure resolution of issues and continued funding for research projects.
Mentor less experienced staff in understanding, interpreting, and applying policies and procedures to assure best grant management practices.
Guide department staff to facilitate best grants management practices. Provide guidance and direction to external department staff to resolve compliance issues. Take appropriate action to process necessary corrections.
Modify and enhance system reports and queries to monitor data for compliance purposes and accuracy in the financial system of record.
Participate in policy and procedure review and improvement; identify any issues and suggest ideas for resolution.
Monitor and analyze a significantly complex portfolio of grants, contracts, and restricted gifts in high-profile departments, including numerous departments, multiple budget components and extraordinary sponsor requirements from award through closeout to protect the integrity of the university’s research enterprise and ensure continued funding for research/
Generate award record in financial management system of record. Assess and analyze demographics to ensure award documentation; work within the enterprise financial management system to review and verify sponsor and institutional data pertaining to each award/project, providing the basis for university reporting. Analyze expenditures for adherence to required policies and procedures. Guide administrators and Principal Investigators through resolution.
Direct policy and procedure review and improvement, identifying issues and providing solutions.
Create reports and queries to monitor data for compliance; analyze and provide reports to leadership.
Lead efforts to gather and prepare information for audits, desk reviews and site visits.
Onboard, train and mentor less experienced staff in understanding, interpreting, and applying policies and procedures to assure best grant management practices. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and training materials.
Create, maintain and deliver educational and training materials, providing high-quality guidance to department administrators and Principal Investigators.