Post-Award Contracts & Grants Analyst III

Cal Poly Partners • Lexington, MA

8d • $70,304 - $92,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sponsored Programs Office supports the University’s research, creative, and scholarly activities by providing financial stewardship and compliance oversight for externally funded projects. The Contracts & Grants Analyst III manages the post-award administration of sponsored programs, ensuring awards are administered in accordance with sponsor requirements, federal and state regulations, CSU policies, and institutional procedures. The analyst serves as a trusted resource to faculty and project staff by providing financial oversight, compliance guidance, award management, and sponsor communication throughout the award lifecycle. This position manages a portfolio of grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, centers and institutes, fee-for-service activities, and subawards. Responsibilities include financial monitoring and reporting, award modifications, invoicing, closeout, and advising principal investigators on compliant post-award management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in grants, contracts, financial administration, or research administration.
• A related graduate degree may substitute for one year of experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of post-award research administration, grants and contracts management, and sponsored project financial administration.
• Strong understanding of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and higher education research administration practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sound professional judgment.
• Ability to interpret complex regulations, contractual language, and institutional policies while exercising sound professional judgment.
• Expertise in financial analysis, reconciliation, and reporting skills.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently resolve complex issues.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting competing deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• High level of organization, attention to detail, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex requirements to diverse audiences.
• Strong customer service orientation and collaborative interpersonal skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and the ability to learn new enterprise systems and web-based sponsor portals.

Nice To Haves

• Sponsored programs administration in a university or research environment.
• Post-award financial management and reporting.
• Administration of complex awards, including federal grants, industry-sponsored agreements, clinical trials, research centers, or international projects.
• Preparing, issuing, and monitoring subawards or subcontracts.
• Workday or comparable enterprise financial systems
• Interpreting sponsor regulations and federal grant requirements.
• Financial reconciliation, invoicing, and compliance monitoring.
• Sponsor financial reporting and federal payment systems, including Research.gov, Payment Management System (PMS), ASAP, Grants Online, or similar platforms
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a portfolio of sponsored awards from account setup through project closeout.
• Ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and applicable federal, state, CSU, and institutional policies.
• Review award documents and implement appropriate post-award financial and administrative processes.
• Coordinate award modifications, rebudgeting, extensions, and other post-award actions.
• Monitor project budgets and expenditures for allowability, accuracy, and compliance.
• Prepare financial reports, sponsor invoices, reconciliations, and other required documentation.
• Provide financial guidance to principal investigators and departmental staff.
• Support management of complex awards, including subawards, industry agreements, clinical trials, and research centers.
• Interpret sponsor guidelines, regulations, and contractual requirements.
• Communicate directly with sponsors regarding financial matters, award modifications, reporting, and compliance issues.
• Assist with audits, record retention, and project closeout activities.
• Identify compliance risks and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Serve as a primary post-award resource for faculty, staff, and campus administrators.
• Partner with internal offices to support effective award administration.
• Develop and deliver training and educational workshops on post-award topics.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement and outreach initiatives that strengthen research administration services.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• retirement
• paid sick leave/vacation
• 14 holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level