Grant Manager

University of Kansas•Lawrence, KS

18h•Remote

About The Position

The Office of Research Award Management Grant Manager provides leadership, direction, and oversight for sponsored awards funded by federal, state, and private sources. The role oversees financial administration, compliance with federal, state, and university guidelines, and reporting requirements. The Grant Manager manages daily post-award research administration activities and supervises staff performing award-management work, in close collaboration with investigators, research administrators, and central-office staff. The position builds relationships with the units and principal investigators it serves, supervises daily post-award business processes, coordinates with SSC finance and HR on related issues, and supports a culture of excellent customer service. It ensures Grant Officers and Grant Coordinators provide timely, professional services that support the research goals of their units. The Grant Manager communicates regularly with directors, chairs, and PIs, assigns duties to ensure compliant transaction processing, and establishes and monitors internal controls. The position works with the Associate Director and Director of Research Administration on strategic improvements and ensures that staff are trained, mentored, and coached. This is a full-time, fully remote position, with most work performed from an agreed-upon off-campus location and occasional in-person activities. Because of state employment-law limitations, the University may be unable to hire remote candidates outside Kansas; it currently cannot employ candidates residing in California, Delaware, Idaho, or Minnesota. The work schedule is 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The position reports to the Associate Director, Award Management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and three years of related experience, or high school diploma and seven years of related experience.
At least one year of supervisory experience.
Experience writing training materials, creating PowerPoint presentations, or drafting policy, as demonstrated by application materials.
Experience working in a PC/Windows environment, including MS Word and MS Excel, as evidenced by application materials.
Previous experience requiring analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail, as demonstrated by application materials.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or a related field.
People and team management experience.
Prior post-award research-administration experience at an institute of higher education.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and other sponsor regulations for sponsored projects, including Uniform Guidance.
Experience with research-administration software applications.
Experience with process mapping and process improvement.
Experience analyzing complex data, preparing accurate reports, identifying solutions, forecasting consequences, and implementing a course of action.
Experience working independently in a team environment and consistently meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee assigned Grant Coordinators and Grant Officers and cross-functional research-administration activities, including compliance functions.
Train staff in research administration, compliance and allowability, functional accounting, financial management, and effective use of systems and reporting.
Ensure staff and sponsored-project activities comply with applicable sponsor, federal, state, and university requirements.
Assess and improve processes and service delivery; ensure service needs are met through performance metrics and regular workload assessment.
Coordinate resources for sponsor subject-matter expertise and support strong sponsor relations.
Coordinate with leaders of academic departments and research centers; meet with assigned units quarterly and as needed and address their specific needs.
Resolve disputes, take corrective action, and escalate issues when appropriate.
Perform or oversee research-administration transactional and analytical work, including approval of staff-initiated actions and final review of budgets and matching-fund information.
Oversee staff work and ensure procedures are consistent with policy and award post-award project management complies with applicable guidelines.
Address staffing needs, support training, and hire new employees.
Address audit findings and work with research-administration and fiscal staff on external compliance audits.
Provide progress reports and status updates to the Associate Director, Award Management, and communicate service or staff issues and actions taken or needed.
Prepare narratives and statistical reports.
Answer post-award questions from customers, colleagues, and staff; assist with questions escalated from Grant Coordinators or Grant Officers and escalate issues as appropriate.
Lead, implement, or participate in workgroups and projects to improve processes for AMS, the KU Office of Research, and KU.
Work with process-improvement and training committees on process-design changes and system updates; collaborate with other units on process improvement, training, and campus-wide support.
Partner with KUCR staff to develop and deliver training and information on post-award policies, procedures, and award-management techniques in individual, workshop, and seminar formats.
Coordinate with KUCR on interpretation and communication of post-award policies, systems, procedures, and programs.
Conduct individual and team meetings, provide professional-development opportunities, and foster a collaborative, welcoming team culture.
Resolve disputes escalated by Grant Officers and Coordinators; conduct meaningful annual reviews and take responsibility for assigned staff’s work, training, and development.
Provide training, mentoring, and coaching, and work with Human Resources Management to implement performance-improvement actions when needed.