Senior Manager, Proposal Review

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP), through its Proposal Review Team, is responsible for ensuring the sponsored research proposals are accurate, complete, and compliant with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory requirements before submission, and serves as the institutions Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) with signatory authority. The Senior manager position has responsibilities that span all aspects of the proposal review and submissions lifecycle and team members regularly interface with sponsors, regulatory agencies, principal investigators, school and department-based research administrators, project coordinators, other key administrative stakeholders across Harvard University, and collaborating institutions. The Senior Manager will partner with the Senior Director of Pre-Award to continuously evaluate utilization of existing processes, technologies, and practices. The Senior Manager, in partnership with the Senior Director of Pre-Award, will recommend, develop, and lead the implementation of new or revised processes, technologies, and practices to streamline and standardize university-wide and local practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations
• Supervisory experience

Nice To Haves

• Detail-oriented and analytical problem-solver
• Excellent organizational and electronic document management skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines
• Excellent people and relationship management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with business process and workflow assessment and development, and process improvement and system design and implementation methodologies.
• Knowledge of federal and non-federal sponsor requirements and procedures (Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF, DOD, etc.)
• Knowledge of Harvard’s policies and procedures (Chart of accounts, Provostial Approval List, cost sharing, awards management, effort reporting, etc.)
• Knowledge of Harvard’s Sponsored systems (GMAS, HART, ecrt, etc.)
• Ability to work independently
• Positive, collaborative, and team-focused attitude
• Knowledge of sponsors’ grants systems (Grants.gov, Research.gov, eRA Commons, ASSIST, Foundations, etc.)

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the proposal review team, including staffing, onboarding, training, professional development, and workload distribution.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures, tools, and training to promote consistent, efficient, and compliant proposal review practices.
• Collaborate with sponsors, principal investigators, departmental staff, and other central offices to submit all sponsored proposals and when necessary, resolve issues and facilitate successful submissions.
• Develop and use metrics and dashboards to evaluate proposal review performance and identify opportunities for improvement within OSP and across the university.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of presentations, outreach, and training for schools, departments, and central offices, as needed
• Serve as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) with signatory authority for proposal submissions and related institutional certifications and assurances.
• Provide exemplary customer service
• 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
• Education Level: Associate degree