Manager, Research Administration

MIT•Cambridge, MA

About The Position

The Manager, Research Administration at MIT Sea Grant serves as the primary financial administrator, overseeing complex pre- and post-award activities and daily financial operations. This role manages omnibus and non-omnibus accounts, prepares proposals and budgets, and assembles required materials. The position ensures compliance with MIT, sponsor, donor, and federal policies, and collaborates closely with faculty, researchers, staff, Research Administration Services, VPF, NOAA, the National Sea Grant Office, and other sponsors. The Manager oversees concurrent proposal submissions, sponsored project finances, monitors grant and contract performance, forecasts balances, and supports closeouts. Responsibilities include managing salary distributions, cost sharing, subawards, travel expenses, service center billings, audit documentation, and complex financial issues. The role advises Principal Investigators and leadership on financial strategy, compliance, rebudgeting, no-cost extensions, supplemental funding, and risk mitigation. Additionally, the Manager develops financial reports, projections, and analyses for various reporting cycles and sponsor submissions. This is a one-year position which may be renewed based on mutual agreement and continuity of funding, with anticipation of renewal with successive Sea Grant four-year omnibus funding cycles.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
A minimum of four years of professional experience in financial administration or research accounting
At least two years of experience managing sponsored research awards or grants
Demonstrated knowledge of federal compliance requirements, including the Uniform Guidance and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Proficiency with financial management systems, ERP platforms, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary financial administrator, overseeing complex pre- and post-award activities and daily financial operations.
Manage omnibus and non-omnibus accounts.
Prepare proposals and budgets, and assemble required materials.
Ensure compliance with MIT, sponsor, donor, and federal policies.
Work closely with faculty, researchers, staff, Research Administration Services, VPF, NOAA, the National Sea Grant Office, and other sponsors.
Manage concurrent proposal submissions.
Oversee sponsored project finances.
Monitor grant and contract performance.
Forecast balances.
Support closeouts.
Manage salary distributions, cost sharing, subawards, travel expenses, service center billings, audit documentation, and complex financial issues.
Advise Principal Investigators and leadership on financial strategy, compliance, rebudgeting, no-cost extensions, supplemental funding, and risk mitigation.
Develop financial reports, projections, and analyses for various reporting cycles and sponsor submissions.
Supervise three staff members.
Provide backup support for routine financial operations and related administrative functions as needed.