Grants and Research Administrator

Babson College•Wellesley, MA

About The Position

The Grants and Research Administrator supports the College’s sponsored research portfolio through post-award administration, financial stewardship, and regulatory compliance. Reporting to the Manager of the Office of Sponsored Research, the position oversees operational activities for federal and non-federal awards, including financial monitoring, grant reconciliations, effort reporting support, sponsor reporting coordination, award modifications, and closeout processes. The role helps develop and strengthen infrastructure for sustainable growth in sponsored research. It works with faculty and campus partners—including Finance, Payroll, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, department administrators, General Counsel, the Director of Compliance & Enterprise Risk, and the Provost office—to improve business processes, internal controls, policies, procedures, training, and institutional compliance. The position manages day-to-day post-award administration from award setup through closeout; reviews expenditures and financial documentation; monitors award budgets, reporting requirements, and other post-award actions; and prepares or coordinates financial reports. It also supports audit readiness, maintains award records, monitors regulatory and sponsor changes, and develops guidance and training for faculty and staff. The position is non-exempt and may be performed in a hybrid or remote arrangement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Research Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; degree requirements may be substituted with equivalent education, training, and experience.
At least five years of experience in federal sponsored research administration, grant accounting, or higher education finance; substantial post-award experience is preferred.
Strong accounting, reconciliation, financial analysis, and reporting skills.
Knowledge of Uniform Guidance, federal cost principles, effort reporting, grant monitoring, financial reporting, and award closeout requirements.
Ability to develop procedures, improve business processes, strengthen internal controls, and build sustainable post-award infrastructure.
Excellent project management, written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and collaborate effectively with academic and administrative stakeholders and all constituencies.
Proficiency with financial systems, spreadsheets, databases, and sponsor systems.
Demonstrated ability to improve processes and enhance systems.
Ability to envision and propose new methods, take thoughtful risks, and accept new and ongoing initiatives, objectives, and solutions.
Ability to anticipate and embrace change, acquire and use new skills, take on challenging tasks, and remain flexible in changing conditions.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Workday or a comparable enterprise financial system.
Experience developing faculty and staff training materials.
CRA, CPRA, or other research administration certifications.

Responsibilities

Develop and improve federal and non-federal post-award operations, procedures, workflows, and internal controls in alignment with Uniform Guidance, sponsor requirements, and College policies.
Provide tools, guidance, and training to principal investigators and campus partners responsible for federally sponsored projects.
Coordinate award administration and clarify roles and responsibilities with Finance, Payroll, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, and department administrators.
Review and recommend updates to sponsored research policies, procedures, templates, and guidance materials.
Develop and deliver training on post-award financial management, effort reporting, federal cost principles, sponsor requirements, and award administration.
Maintain award documentation and assist with audit readiness, institutional reviews, and responses related to federal sponsored projects.
Monitor federal regulations, sponsor policies, and research administration developments and communicate relevant updates to campus stakeholders.
Collaborate with General Counsel, the Director of Compliance & Enterprise Risk, and the Provost office on training and compliance with federal and local sponsored-research regulations.
Manage day-to-day post-award administration of the College’s federally sponsored portfolio from award setup through closeout.
Review expenditures for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, consistent treatment, and alignment with approved award budgets.
Monitor and reconcile sponsored projects, identify potential compliance or budget concerns, and work with faculty on necessary adjustments.
Review salary allocations, labor distributions, and effort reporting documentation, and support timely corrections.
Monitor cost sharing, subrecipient monitoring, reporting deadlines, award modifications, no-cost extensions, carryforward requests, rebudgeting, and other post-award requirements.
Prepare or coordinate periodic and final financial reports and assist with sponsor reporting requirements.
Complete financial and administrative closeout activities and maintain documentation supporting official award records.
Assist the Manager of the Office of Sponsored Research with ongoing programs and assume additional responsibilities as required.