Associate Research Administrator

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition benefits

Professional development classes

Central Los Angeles location

Job summary

University of Southern California seeks an Associate Research Administrator in Los Angeles to support contracts and grants operations within the Dana and David Dornsife College. You will collaborate with principal investigators, the Office of Sponsored Research, and departments to manage budgets, expenditures, and reporting.

This role emphasizes strong accounting, project management, and adherence to university policies, with opportunities for mentoring and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree or combined experience/education.
• Minimum Experience: 3 years in educational administration or similar.
• Strong accounting and budgeting knowledge with project management competency.

Responsibilities

• Prepare administrative components of sponsored and non-sponsored proposals.
• Develop and finalize project budgets and review expenditures.
• Serve as liaison between principal investigators, Office of Sponsored Research, and departments.
• Ensure awards setup, cost-sharing compliance, and reporting.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Project management

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business (Accounting/Finance preferred) or combined experience/education

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

Outlook

SPSS

Visio

SunGard

Job description

It is an exciting time at USC. We are world-renowned for our innovative education, academic excellence and path-breaking research in a vibrant region exploding with potential. As part of a university that is on an upward trajectory, excellent development and advancement opportunities are possible here. Ultimately, you will support the university’s expansive, humanity-centered mission: “The development of human beings and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit.” The Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Research Office is seeking an Associate Research Administrator to join its team and support the department in managing its day-to-day contracts and grants administrative operations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Participates with principal investigator in the preparation of the administrative components of proposals within parameters of sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.
• Develops, prepares, and finalizes project budgets.
• Reviews and approves expenditures.
• Serves as primary liaison and active partner between principal investigators, Office of Sponsored Research, research groups, and other departments.
• Collaborates with Office of Sponsored Research to ensure awards are set up properly and cost-sharing requirements are fulfilled.
• Develops and communicates reports supporting project status.
• Participates in contract closeout process.
• Understands, applies, and advises on university and government policies for projects.
• Serves as a resource on subject area and overall technical resource to principal investigator and other university staff.
• Participates in and contributes to process improvements.
• Participates as a mentor and provides cross-training, as necessary.
• Experience in creating and analyzing statistical reports.
• Must be able to utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records and generate reports.
• Requires strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written), strong financial and accounting acumen, the ability to follow through with assigned tasks within established time frames and minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment, and exceptional focus on attention to detail and accuracy.
• Must be skilled in using the Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel), other internet applications (search engines, online portals), and similar software.
• Broad knowledge of relevant research computer software (e.g., Microsoft Access, Outlook, SPSS, Visio, SunGard).
• Competency in project management.
• Applicant must ensure confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information, including but not limited to student, staff, or faculty files.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business (Accounting/Finance preferred) or combined experience/education as a substitute for minimum education.
• Preferred experience: 4 years Educational administrative experience is a plus.
• Directly related contracts/grants administration experience.
• Knowledge of procurement needs, including sole-sourcing, cost analyses, vendor requirements, and small business reporting.
• Ability to review a proposal or manage a project with an understanding of the overall scope and goal of each sponsored project.

Supervises

Level: May lead other staff in related work duties.

Compensation

Hourly rate range: $42 - $44.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Additional Duties

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• Minimum Experience: 3 years.
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Basic knowledge of governmental regulations. Strong accounting skills. Competency in project management.
• A Bachelor’s Degree with broad knowledge of relevant research computer software, e.g.: Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Outlook, SPSS, Visio, and SunGard.
• Experience in creating and analyzing statistical reports.
• Must be able to utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records and generate reports.
• Proven oral and written communication skills to interact with other employees.

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety.

Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

If you need assistance during the application process, see our application help. (If you already work for USC, see Your USC career.) At any point you may also contact our HR Service Center for help at [phone] or [e-mail].