Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist, Proposal Review Team

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist (SGCS) on Harvard University's Office for Sponsored Programs Proposal Review Team manages proposal submissions originating from the Cambridge campus. The SGCS reviews, approves, signs, and submits a range of funding requests on behalf of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, including initial proposals, continuations and progress reports, pre-proposals, resubmissions, supplements, Principal Investigator transfers into Harvard, and renewals.

The role partners closely with faculty, Principal Investigators, collaborators, department administrators, sponsors, and central administrative offices to ensure submissions meet University, school, and sponsor requirements. The SGCS serves as a primary contact for proposal review and submission issues, interprets advanced compliance matters, and reviews proposals and awards for compliance with sponsor terms and University guidelines. The position also contributes to strategic planning and special projects, may train or mentor colleagues, and may help develop training materials, workshops, policies, procedures, and business processes. The role collaborates with other Harvard offices, maintains proposal quality control, and ensures timely updates to the system of record.

This is a primarily remote position with flexibility to work onsite and optional in-person meetings bi-monthly. Hybrid employees must work in a Harvard-registered state when working outside a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. The schedule is 35 hours per week. The position has a 90-day orientation and review period. A cover letter is required for consideration.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 7 years of relevant work experience.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to work with financial reporting applications and data.
• Ability to interact with staff, researchers, and faculty with discretion and diplomacy.
• Include a cover letter with the application.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with federal or non-federal sponsors is preferred.
• Strong sponsored research expertise and a proven ability to lead and manage a range of proposal submissions.
• Planning ability, creativity, and sound judgment to meet the needs of a complex community.
• Ability to work independently on routine and moderately complex matters within established guidelines, and seek guidance for complex tasks.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, exchange information, complete assignments, and potentially deliver training to clients and staff.

Responsibilities

• Review, approve, sign, and submit proposals and other funding requests, including initial submissions, continuations and progress reports, pre-proposals, resubmissions, supplements, Principal Investigator transfers into Harvard, and renewals.
• Respond to sponsor requests.
• Work directly with Principal Investigators, collaborators, and department administrators, and liaise with central administrative offices to ensure applications meet University, school, and sponsor requirements.
• Serve as a primary contact for Principal Investigators, departments, and sponsors on proposal review and submission issues.
• Interpret advanced compliance issues and review proposals and awards for compliance with sponsor terms and University guidelines.
• Participate in strategic planning and special projects.
• Train or mentor Proposal Review Team colleagues as needed and backfill for other team members when needed.
• Help develop and deliver training materials and workshops as needed.
• Participate in the development and revision of University-wide policies, procedures, and business processes.
• Collaborate with other Harvard offices to provide research administration support.
• Ensure quality control over proposal submissions and timely updates to the system of record.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with University contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

What This Job Offers

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