Research Grants Specialist II

University of Louisville•Louisville, KY

2d•$61,147 - $91,721•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research Grants Specialist II position is a critical grants administration staff member with oversight over the financial, compliance, reporting, and project management functions within the College of Education & Human Development’s Office of Research, Innovation, and Community Engaged Scholarship. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Research Grant Specialist guides financial planning and; oversees compliance, assists reporting, and; supports project management processes and performs other duties as assigned. The position may involve remote work (which may include working from home), in addition to working from the Belknap Campus.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field and two (2) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Grade 7 (Salaried)

Nice To Haves

Experience in working with academic units and faculty/students.
Knowledge of university financial and administrative systems.
Familiarity with University or nonprofit budgeting, tracking, and other procedures and requirements.
Proficiency in key communication, budgeting/finance, project management, and federal grant systems (e.g., MS Outlook, Word, Excel, Peoplesoft, Power BI reports, Electronic Research Administration system, Grants.gov, FASTLANE, Research.gov)
Strong demonstrated competency to read, comprehend, and apply complex Request for Proposal requirements
Ability to understand, execute, and track grant and contractual requirements towards ensuring financial compliance with sponsor requirements.
Organization skills to manage and execute several concurrent transactions with a high degree of accuracy, including the ability to troubleshoot problems.
A very strong attention to detail to ensure financial information is accurate, and all transactions are accurately entered.
Project management focus to implement and monitor a complex set of deliverables and deadlines
Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal – for communication with internal stakeholders as well as external project sponsors and partners.
Ability to identify problems and their root cause to recommend the appropriate solution.
Demonstrated success working with others in a collaborative manner
Ability to maintain confidentiality (when appropriate)
Ability to communicate/work with and maintain professional working relationships with all levels of management, inside the CEHD, at other UofL colleges and departments as well as external entities (sponsors, other institutions of higher education)
Project Management - organized, task oriented, ability to delegate and follow up.
Proactive - anticipates and plans for problems before they arise.
Analytical- evaluating data and other information with the ability to choose the best solution and make recommendations.
Flexible – ability to change directions as needed to meet deadlines
Service Excellence – responsive, informs constituents of process/progress
Organized – manages time effectively, keeps tasks appropriately prioritized.
Critical Thinking – ability to think through issues and identify appropriate options.
Work Ethic – motivated, diligent, industrious and persistent in the workplace, stays on tasks to completion, works at a fast pace to ensure optimal efficiency.
Interpersonal – can build effective, strong working relationships with employees, colleagues, management and vendors through trust, communication, and credibility.
Teamwork – ability to work with others, serve others

Responsibilities

Guide grant and innovation financial planning and proposal development (35%)
Prepares accurate budgets and proposal components according to guidelines established by external funding agencies and institutional policies and procedures.
Assist researchers with proposal submissions including clearance forms and approvals, budgets, budget justifications, reporting into systems, interpretation of guidelines, and final compilation for submission (e.g., federal proposal submission systems, Grants.gov, Research.gov, and foundation portals
Proactively manages multiple concurrent proposal submission timelines to ensure on-time completion of high quality, responsive and compliant proposal applications
Ensure sponsored program funding is allocated in accordance with all applicable guidelines
Coordinate with department unit business managers, the researcher, and team to ensure effort and salary allocations across funded projects (e.g., salary recovery and course buyouts) for monthly account reconciliations.
Oversee Compliance, Reporting, and Recording (30%)
Maintain a current knowledge of grant regulations for various sponsors and the University.
Develop and update record keeping systems for grants administration and office goals/priorities; check all materials for completeness and accuracy
Monitor systems for required approvals, check validity of requests, and approve as appropriate.
Manage the award close out process with liaising departments and the Sponsored Programs Office
Complete compliance review tasks such as effort reporting, attestations, validations, etc.
Contribute to data entry and management within office CRM
Routinely collect and measure data related to proposals developed, submitted, and funded. For the purposes of reporting to the College’s leadership team.
Support Project Management – (particularly for post-awards) (30%)
Oversee grant post-award activities during award and contract set up, award modifications, reporting, sub awards, and close outs
Support program manager with on- and off-boarding project teams.
Ensure effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards for sponsored programs.
Contribute information and ideas related to grants management for ORICES and CEHD strategic initiatives.
Mentor and assist unit business managers and project staff for sponsored programs on any business, human resource, project implementation, or operational questions or concerns that arise
Create (and assist in the creation of) tools to aid project-related activities including checklists, procedures, guidelines, workflows and other documents.
Other duties as assigned (5%)