Post Award Manager

University of Colorado • Colorado Springs, CO

2d • $73,765 - $98,845 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Post Award Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for post-award grant administration and financial management. The role ensures compliance with sponsor requirements, regulatory standards, and organizational policies; oversees accurate grant financial reporting; resolves complex financial discrepancies; and implements process improvements to strengthen internal controls and financial stewardship. The manager oversees validation of General Ledger activity, grant-funded payroll allocations and transfers, budget modifications, and financial analyses, and supervises post-award staff by providing support and guidance.

The position partners with executive leadership, principal investigators, program leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders to optimize grant operations, maximize funding utilization, and mitigate financial and compliance risks. It leads operational planning and prioritization across a diverse grant portfolio, advises on complex financial and operational matters, and translates technical information into actionable recommendations. The manager fosters accountability, continuous improvement, customer service, and effective long-term operations.

The role also leads Emergency Medicine research administrative operations and post-award fiscal management. It oversees policies and procedures, staffing and workload, budgets and expenditures, forecasting, reporting, invoicing, subcontracts, procurement, audit preparation, and compliance. The position is hybrid for in-state candidates, with three days per week on campus in Aurora, Colorado and in-person attendance as needed; fully remote applicants located within the United States will also be considered. Travel may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 4–6 years of professional experience related to grants administration, fiscal oversight, and administrative management.
• A combination of education and related technical, military, or paraprofessional experience may substitute for a bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.
• An advanced degree in a field directly related to the work assignment may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship; the employer does not provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization.
• Demonstrated understanding of academic grant management, financial acumen, and research administration.
• Strong knowledge of federally funded research regulatory frameworks and compliance standards.
• Ability to manage complex projects and lead cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage complex federal grants with multiple subcontracts.
• Familiarity with academic research environments and collaborative science initiatives.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt to evolving priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all institutional levels.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Travel may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Six or more years of high-level experience in academic and research grants management administration.
• Progressively responsible, diverse, and extensive experience in contract management, grants management, and financial management.
• Experience with complex federally funded research projects.
• Experience with financial and research leadership.
• Experience supervising multiple full-time-equivalent employees.
• Experience with CU financial platforms such as Concur and Marketplace.
• Experience with project and program management software, including Excel and Smartsheet.
• Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) or Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation and implementation of Emergency Medicine research policies and procedures, ensuring annual review and updates as needed.
• Oversee day-to-day administrative operations and resource allocation.
• Serve as a communication conduit across all levels of post-award activities.
• Provide high-level administrative support to principal investigators, project leads, and co-investigators.
• Assist in strategic planning, communication, and execution of major project functions.
• Liaise between Emergency Medicine leadership, project stakeholders, and project managers.
• Maintain documentation and reporting systems that support transparency and accountability.
• Partner with Human Resources to recruit, hire, onboard, and train team members.
• Direct workload across supervised positions.
• Meet regularly with principal investigators and post-award staff to assess objectives and ensure correct processes and procedures are followed.
• Administer awards and oversee all post-award operations.
• Track program milestones, deliverables, and financial performance.
• Align financial resources with goals and programmatic priorities.
• Oversee submissions of annual Research Performance Progress Reports.
• Collaborate with principal investigators to develop and manage annual budgets.
• Work with the post-award team on funding projections and spending.
• Monitor and review monthly expenditures for fiscal responsibility.
• Approve purchases and expenditures when required and ensure alignment with budget constraints.
• Manage invoicing and ensure timely payments and reimbursements.
• Assist with preparation and submission of progress reports and financial summaries.
• Conduct financial forecasting, variance analysis, and scenario planning to support executive decision-making and long-term sustainability.
• Ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled accurately and on time.
• Oversee subcontract administration, including drafting, reviewing, and managing agreements and communicating with subcontracted entities.
• Lead audit preparation and ensure adherence to internal controls, grant requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Review and monitor research procurement activities for compliance with internal and external policies.
• Approve research purchase requests and ensure proper documentation is maintained.
• Monitor and approve high-value expenditures, maintain cost controls, and implement financial safeguards.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to support transparency, accountability, and alignment across financial activities.
• Liaise between finance, program staff, and leadership to support strategic goals.
• Maintain required pre- and post-award university training.

Benefits

• Multiple medical plan options.
• Multiple dental plan options.
• Disability, life, and vision insurance.
• Retirement 401(a) plan with employer contribution of 10% of gross pay.
• Paid time off accruals.
• 22 vacation days per year, with a maximum accrual of 352 hours.
• 15 sick days per year, with unlimited maximum accrual.
• 15 holiday days per year.
• Tuition benefit available on all CU campuses.
• Reduced-rate RTD bus and light rail service through the ECO Pass.
• Additional perks and programs through CU Advantage.

What This Job Offers

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