Sr. Grants Manager

Princeton University•Princeton, NJ

About The Position

Overview The Senior Grants Manager is responsible for overseeing the financial and administrative management of sponsored research projects for PQI faculty, research staff, and students. This role supports all stages of the grants lifecycle, including proposal development, award setup, effort review, data preparation for reporting, monthly account reconciliation, budget projections, subaward management, and award closeout. The Senior Grants Manager also plays a key role in building and supervising a team of grants managers. This position requires strong collaboration across departments, the ability to navigate a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment, and a solid understanding of research administration practices. Requires a broad understanding of research administration and the ability to apply that knowledge to varied and complex situations.

Requirements

Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to think and plan strategically.
Experience in managing and administration of sponsored research and grant proposals and familiarity with Uniform Guidance regulations and federal compliances
Effective organizational and project management skills.
Ability to use sound judgment to plan and prioritize a varied workload in a dynamic environment.
Strong interpersonal skills for working with a broad range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
Experience gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting quantitative and qualitative data for different audiences and purposes.
Proficiency in Excel and strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
Experience in budget development, account reconciliation, financial analysis, and reporting, with a working knowledge of accounting concepts and procedures.
Demonstrated curiosity and commitment to seeking information and solutions as needed.
Knowledge of NSF, ONR, DOE, DARPA/DOD, NIH, AFOSR guidelines
Prior work experience in higher education or related field

Nice To Haves

Experience with University Financial systems (PRIME, People Soft, Concur)
Supervisory skills a plus

Responsibilities

Assemble and review proposal documents based on discussion with faculty and requirement per program announcement.
Upload proposal documents in Princeton ERA and appropriate sponsor systems or directly to funding agency/foundation by deadline.
Work with ORPA to ensure documents are correct and meet the program requirements.
Prepare monthly summaries for faculty, providing information for their sponsored grants and discretionary funds.
Meet with PIs and provide projections with actual updates to determine overall funding as well as appropriate spending of individual grants. This includes updates on grant closings, projections per burn rates, cost extensions, support for students and post docs etc.
Initiate purchase orders, onboard vendors, and approve invoices, travel vouchers, reimbursements and credit card activities.
Analyze and ensure spending and justifications are in compliance with regulations and policies.
Reconcile grants and discretionary funds monthly.
Ensure students, research staff, and faculty summer salaries are charged to appropriate grants.
Communicate allocation plans to Graduate Coordinator/Business Manager and keep other necessary departments informed.
Assist faculty with effort certification and ensure timely submission.
Handle grant extensions and re-budgeting to sponsors as needed.
Coordinate joint projects and sub-awards.
Assist faculty in collecting information and submitting reporting, as required by award.
Prepare and submit cost transfer documentation when needed.
Manage close out of awards.
Process journal entries to correct charges.
Will participate in the identification and hiring of a team of grants managers.
Supervises grants manager team, providing guidance, coaching to improve skills, and performance management.
Assesses workflows and time management and makes recommendations to the Executive Director regarding staffing needs.
Collaborate, support and serve as backup to other grant managers.
Develop and maintain a good working relationship with the staff in COS, ECE, CHEM, PHY and other departments as several grants are handled jointly.
Work closely with Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA) and Sponsored Research Accounting (SRA) representatives to ensure university and sponsored research regulations are followed.
Respond and coordinate internal and external audit requests.
Work with the Business Manager, Graduate and Undergraduate Coordinators and other colleagues in the department as team spirit is highly advocated.
Assist Executive Director in projects as needed.
Maintain current knowledge of sponsor and university rules and regulations by attending relevant training and professional development opportunities.
This role requires constant monitoring of ever changing regulatory requirements. No one person can ever know everything for any extended length of time. Continuous training/learning is required.