Grant Life Cycle Program Director

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Colorado School of Public Health as a Grant Life Cycle Program Director (Research Services Program Director). This position will oversee comprehensive research support services across multiple Departments and Centers within the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH). This role encompasses leadership of all grant life cycle processes, including pre-award, post-award, compliance, financial reporting, and closeout while ensuring alignment with university and school policies and sponsor requirements. The Grant Life Cycle Program Director will develop and implement operational strategies, policies, and technologies to streamline research administration. This position serves as a key advisor to Chairs, Directors, Principal Investigators, and Unit Administrators, and collaborates with Office of Grants and Contracts and other internal/external partners to ensure effective grant and contract management. Additional responsibilities include mentoring staff, analyzing research finances, and leading special projects as needed.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, finance, accounting, business administration, business or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
Minimum of six (6) years of experience with pre and post award grant management, contracts, and/or grant administration within a higher educational environment.
Proficient with Microsoft Office programs, including strong skills in Microsoft Excel budgeting.
Ability to develop, evaluate, and improve administrative workflow systems and processes for sponsored research activities.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects at once, while meeting deadlines.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
Ability to manage complex, sensitive and confidential information and align multiple, competing demands with established priorities.
Strong skills in project management.
Exemplary communication, organization and leadership skills.
Superior analytical skills.
Ability to successfully manage multiple self-directed projects that may, at times, have competing priorities.
Strong attention to detail, balanced with ability to maintain a broad perspective.
Strong interpersonal and human relations skills, including ability to effectively manage conflict.

Nice To Haves

At least five (5) years of progressively complex experience in research finance.
Previous research management experience in an academic medical center.
Experience in preparing contracts, subcontracts, project agreements, and/or memorandums of understanding.
Experience in an academic medical setting managing the grants and/or sponsored projects of faculty members from multiple departments.
Advanced knowledge of university systems, including InfoEd, mFIN, Marketplace, HCM and Cognos Reporting Systems.
Demonstrated experience in fostering a community that values a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Responsibilities

Serve as the expert and primary point of contact for sponsored projects administration, advising faculty and staff on proposal development, budget preparation, and allowable costs.
Manage the routing of grant proposals, contracts, and amendments for institutional review; serve as primary pre-award administrator.
Conduct pre-award budget reviews and feasibility assessments to ensure proposals align with sponsor guidelines, institutional policies, and available resources.
Oversee Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs); ensure timely and accurate submission to sponsors in compliance with award terms.
Manage post-award administration of grants and contracts for internal and external awards, including account set-up, award acceptance, budget modifications, compliance monitoring, expenditure reviews, financial reporting, and award closeout.
Oversee all post-award financial transactions, including budget transfers, purchasing, reimbursements, invoicing, cost transfers, and account reconciliation for accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
Conduct ongoing budget analysis and monitor grant expenditures to ensure spending aligns with approved budgets and sponsor guidelines.
Work closely with department personnel to ensure that research faculty and staff effort is properly allocated and certified in accordance with award terms, university policies, and sponsor requirements.