Proposal and Award Generalist

Penn State University•Ferguson Township, PA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Proposal and Award Generalist pursues, administers and conducts sponsored programs; identifies funding opportunities; facilitates the proposal preparation process; submits proposals; reviews awards for items specific to the faculty, department, and college/unit; informs faculty and college personnel of special contractual requirements; ensures compliance with University guidelines; and provides training to personnel on topics that cover the breadth of research administration. Search for, obtain, and distribute funding opportunities utilizing expertise database; maintain database information Collaborate with college/unit offices on funding opportunities requiring special handling such as limited submissions, RFA (Request for Application), RFP (Request for Proposal), ITQ (Intent to Qualify) and other solicitations Liaison with Office of Sponsored Programs, ORP (Office of Research Protection), Office of Technology Management (OTM), Risk Management or other central units as needed to support proposal development Lead and or participate in meetings with faculty or department heads on funding opportunities, team formation and responses to opportunities; provide recommendations to improve proposal success rate and effectiveness of award management Prioritize timelines/schedules through interpretation of potential funding opportunities and hold proposal team accountable Assist faculty or others with proposal preparation through reviewing sponsor and University guidelines and submission requirements Develop, finalize and/or approve proposal budget and cost share; prepare required forms, representations and certifications, and budget justification; obtain cost share approvals Prepare requests for advance fund numbers, fund numbers, cost centers, cost sharing cost centers, and other account set up actions Prepare and submit budget documents for awarded funds, budget adjustments, and account close-out transfers May be responsible for tasks associated with labor distribution and effort confirmation Participate in meetings with Office of Sponsored Programs and unit administration concerning Export Control, publication restrictions, and other potential risks; initiate follow up on sign-offs and monitor process Review expenditures for approval; review and approve personnel appointments on sponsored program funds Run system-generated financial reports; manage subawards; prepare and submit monthly/quarterly financial reports Facilitate materials transfer and other agreements; assist Property Inventory with receipt, accountability, and reporting on government owned equipment Serve as an area expert on special award types including multi-unit, interdisciplinary, significant number of subawards, multi-fellowship awards, substantial industry involvement, significant administrative oversight, significant financial tracking and reporting, and multi-site clinical trials or field activities. Resolves issues and implements solutions; initiates process improvements to address systemic roadblocks May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management This position will be providing department-level grant and contracting support, primarily focused on post award management to the Biomedical and Chemical Engineering departments. Departmental level support activities include account monitoring for regulatory and financial compliance, allowability of expenses, cost share, and grant end dates. Additional grant-associated duties will be assigned based on the needs of the assigned department. The successful candidate will provide this support in a high-volume, fast paced and complex environment and will need to be able to solve issues in a timely manner.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
Experience with university accounting and research administration, as well as financial policies
Ability to solve issues in a timely manner

Nice To Haves

Experience with Penn State systems, such as Strategic Information Management System (SIMS), Penn State's System for Integrated Management, Budget, and Accounting (SIMBA), and Systems, Applications and Products (SAP) is preferred.
Graduates of the ACOR Certification and Education Series (ACES) Program are preferred.

Responsibilities

Search for, obtain, and distribute funding opportunities utilizing expertise database; maintain database information
Collaborate with college/unit offices on funding opportunities requiring special handling such as limited submissions, RFA (Request for Application), RFP (Request for Proposal), ITQ (Intent to Qualify) and other solicitations
Liaison with Office of Sponsored Programs, ORP (Office of Research Protection), Office of Technology Management (OTM), Risk Management or other central units as needed to support proposal development
Lead and or participate in meetings with faculty or department heads on funding opportunities, team formation and responses to opportunities; provide recommendations to improve proposal success rate and effectiveness of award management
Prioritize timelines/schedules through interpretation of potential funding opportunities and hold proposal team accountable
Assist faculty or others with proposal preparation through reviewing sponsor and University guidelines and submission requirements
Develop, finalize and/or approve proposal budget and cost share; prepare required forms, representations and certifications, and budget justification; obtain cost share approvals
Prepare requests for advance fund numbers, fund numbers, cost centers, cost sharing cost centers, and other account set up actions
Prepare and submit budget documents for awarded funds, budget adjustments, and account close-out transfers
May be responsible for tasks associated with labor distribution and effort confirmation
Participate in meetings with Office of Sponsored Programs and unit administration concerning Export Control, publication restrictions, and other potential risks; initiate follow up on sign-offs and monitor process
Review expenditures for approval; review and approve personnel appointments on sponsored program funds
Run system-generated financial reports; manage subawards; prepare and submit monthly/quarterly financial reports
Facilitate materials transfer and other agreements; assist Property Inventory with receipt, accountability, and reporting on government owned equipment
Serve as an area expert on special award types including multi-unit, interdisciplinary, significant number of subawards, multi-fellowship awards, substantial industry involvement, significant administrative oversight, significant financial tracking and reporting, and multi-site clinical trials or field activities.
Resolves issues and implements solutions; initiates process improvements to address systemic roadblocks
May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

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