Strategic Business Advisor - Statler College Grants Administration

West Virginia University

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Dean's Administration in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University is seeking a Strategic Business Advisor (SBA) for Grants Administration. This role supports unit leadership in the strategic management of research activities for principal investigators. The SBA provides expertise in pre-award and post-award grants administration, reporting, and compliance, ensuring PIs and leadership are knowledgeable about research activities and unit expectations. The position involves managing projects, timelines, and deliverables, and interpreting federal, state, and regulatory policies. A key aspect is building relationships and fostering a culture of excellent customer service while maintaining compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years related professional-level work experience in finance, accounting, and/or fiscal management.
• Experience using a financial ERP, such as Oracle or Workday.
• Established expertise in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Management of business/financial operations and research administration.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency interpreting applicable state and institutional policies and procedures as well as Uniform Guidance, requests for proposals, and other federal regulations pertaining to sponsored projects.
• Ability to interpret and apply agency guidelines and individual award terms and conditions.
• Ability to inspire teamwork and collaboration across functional areas.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgement to resolve budgeting and other financial issues and determine the appropriate course of action to resolve a customer issue.
• Possesses strong customer service and communication skills typically acquired through prior work in a customer service setting.
• Demonstrated ability to research and apply critical thinking skills to resolve complex issues related to financial projections and budgeting.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with other service team members in the unit, central Finance, OSP, and the Shared Service Center.
• Ability to identify and address areas of continuous improvement.
• Effective organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of Microsoft Office Professional software, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Huron Research Suite is preferred but not mandatory.
• CRA, CGMA or related certification.

Responsibilities

• Prepare award budgets and submit in WRAP on behalf of faculty researchers.
• Submit award modifications, such as no cost extensions, continuations, and budget modifications, through WRAP.
• Monitor contracts and agreements in negotiation with Office of Sponsored Programs. Provide status updates to principal investigators as needed.
• Ensures all applicable subaward agreements are initiated by the Office of Sponsored Programs and processed to purchase order issuance by Shared Services Center. Initiate requests for new subawards as required.
• Communicate directly with external entities serving as award sponsors, subawardees, or vendors to establish budgets, including cost share obligations. Communicate institutional and federal requirements for invoicing and cost share documentation to external entities and WVU researchers.
• Provide technical support to faculty and research personnel for proposal budget development and the WVU research administration system. Provide guidance to faculty, department chairs, and others on institutional policies and procedures for different funding agencies as their requirements change/evolve.
• Serve as point of contact for faculty and researchers to resolve issues related to award setup in university’s financial system.
• Review Notices of Award documentation from sponsors and obtain a thorough understanding of award terms and conditions to provide oversight of financial and programmatic needs for all sponsored projects assigned.
• Manage and analyze project budget and variances, initiating revisions and other corrective action when necessary. Monitor project burn rate and suggest actions to PI to maintain compliance with sponsor guidelines.
• Prepare and distribute monthly financial reports using data provided by SSC and meet regularly with PI to discuss research portfolios and prepare for award closeout.
• Provide guidance and initiate necessary actions for all project status changes and/or extension requests.
• Participate (with organizational leadership) in the development and management of processes and tools to enhance research program effectiveness.
• Review expenditures for compliance with project budget, agency guidelines, and for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness.
• Initiate cost transfers in Mountaineer Marketplace and payroll to correct funding for expenses according to federal and institutional guidelines.
• Coordinate the completion of a diverse range of progress reports and related projects. Advise each principal investigator of due dates for reports to funding agency.
• Review cost share tracking reports and assist PI in documenting committed expenses, including third-party and in-kind cost share.
• Oversee subcontracts and subawards, working with external institutions to determine appropriate budget. Collaborate with OSP and SSC as needed for proper administration of all subawards, contracts, etc. Ensure compliance with PI subrecipient invoice approval requirements.
• Assist faculty and staff investigators with completion of compliance documents, such as, but not limited to, effort reporting, sub-recipient monitoring, salary caps, data protection, and export control issues.
• Coordinate with department staff, Finance SBA, college administration, and SSC to offer purchasing and hiring support to principal investigators.
• Coordinate with college facilities coordinator to properly document and track capitalized assets purchased on research projects.
• Support and contribute to unit’s operational goals.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6%25 employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks.
• Wellness programs

What This Job Offers

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