Principal Contracts and Grants Officer

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$110,000 - $114,000

About The Position

The Department of Contracts and Grants is excited to announce an opening for a Principal Contracts and Grants Officer (Contracts and Grants Administrator III) at our University Park Campus (Credit Union Building). This pivotal role involves collaborating with faculty, university offices, and external funding agencies to streamline information exchange and provide essential services and training related to pre- and post-award administration of contracts and grants, as well as complex compliance requirements. As a Principal Officer, you will engage with faculty and staff across USC, playing a key role in supporting our investigators from proposal development through to award closeout. Our department ensures that all grants and contracts uphold USC’s standards for academic freedom, research ethics, and fiscal responsibility. We pride ourselves not only on being subject matter experts but also on proactively developing training programs and innovative tools to enhance compliance and management of awards across our departments and schools.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or related undergraduate study; combined experience and education may substitute for the minimum education requirement.
A minimum of 3 years in Contracts and Grants Administration, with combined education and experience able to substitute for the minimum experience requirement.
Must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 5 years of experience in Contracts and Grants Administration.
Familiarity with university policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a team of officers, providing guidance and professional development.
Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with school representatives, central unit representatives, faculty, and staff.
Serve as a primary point of contact for customer service inquiries, ensuring concerns are effectively addressed.
Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements in alignment with university policy for various sponsors, including industry, non-profit, local government, federal, and international entities.
Provide comprehensive post-award administrative support, including expenditure approvals and compliance with reporting requirements, while coordinating submissions to sponsors.
Troubleshoot and resolve pre- and post-award administrative issues related to sponsored projects.
Liaise with funding agencies to negotiate awards, establish account numbers, and coordinate necessary documentation.
Review and recommend proposals for research, training, and public service projects for approval.
Represent the university in official capacities with sponsoring agencies, offering guidance on agency requirements and proposal submissions.
Assist faculty and staff in identifying external funding sources for sponsored research and training.
Oversee the administration of particularly complex projects, such as national research centers and program projects.
Perform additional duties as assigned, with the understanding that responsibilities may evolve over time.