College Research Administration Manager

The Howard University; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Work-Life Balance

Financial Wellness

Professional Development

Additional Perks

Job summary

Howard University seeks an experienced College Research Administration Manager to provide pre- and post-award support for sponsored projects across colleges and departments. You will translate research plans into compliant proposals and awards, monitor financial health, and coordinate with the Office of Research to resolve issues.

The role requires broad knowledge of research administration, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex academic environment.

Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of research administration.
• Strong financial and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple sponsored projects in a complex academic environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise and assist PIs with proposal development.
• Develop and review proposal budgets and budgets justifications.
• Coordinate proposal components, institutional approvals, and subrecipient documentation.
• Serve as the primary college-level liaison for proposal development and routing, coordinating with SPO and other offices.
• Review Notices of Award and sponsor terms and conditions and communicate requirements to PIs and stakeholders.
• Support the transition from proposal to award by reviewing budgets, periods of performance, and award setup actions.
• Coordinate administrative actions throughout the award lifecycle, including amendments and no-cost extensions.
• Monitor sponsor-project budgets, expenditures, payroll, and balances, and prepare financial reports.

Job description

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff \"for fit\" makes significant contributions to Howard University's overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

BASIC FUNCTION

Howard University seeks an experienced College Research Administration Manager to provide comprehensive pre- and post-award research administration support to assigned colleges and departments. The position serves as a primary research administration partner to faculty and college leadership, supporting sponsored projects throughout the lifecycle from proposal development and submission through award management and closeout. The College Research Administration Manager works closely with Principal Investigators (PIs) to translate research plans into compliant and operationally sound proposals and awards; monitors the financial and administrative health of sponsored projects; identifies issues requiring action; and coordinates with the Office of Research and other University offices to facilitate timely resolution. The position requires broad knowledge of research administration, strong financial and analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple sponsored projects and priorities in a complex academic environment.

NATURE AND SCOPE

The College Research Administration Manager serves as the primary point of contact for pre- and post-award research administration support for assigned departments and colleges. The position has a primary reporting line to the Office of Research for strategic oversight, training, professional standards, and compliance, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to designated college research leadership for alignment with college priorities. The position serves as a bridge between faculty, college administration, and central University offices. The incumbent is responsible for understanding the administrative and financial status of the assigned sponsored-project portfolio, identifying actions needed to support successful project execution, and coordinating those actions through appropriate University processes. The position does not hold institutional signature or sponsor submission authority and does not independently approve financial transactions or corrections requiring separate institutional approval.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Pre-Award Research Administration

• Advise and assist PIs with proposal development, including interpretation of funding opportunities, sponsor requirements, eligibility, deadlines, required documentation, and institutional requirements.
• Develop and review proposal budgets and budget justifications, including salary and effort, fringe benefits, facilities and administrative (F&A) costs, participant support, subrecipient costs, cost sharing, and other project expenses.
• Coordinate proposal components, institutional approvals, compliance requirements, and subrecipient documentation and ensure proposals are complete and accurate before routing to the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO).
• Serve as the primary college-level liaison for proposal development and routing, coordinating with SPO, Research Development, Research Compliance, and other University offices as needed.

2. Award Activation and Ongoing Administration

• Review Notices of Award and sponsor terms and conditions and communicate key financial, administrative, reporting, and compliance requirements to PIs and college stakeholders.
• Support the transition from proposal to award by reviewing awarded budgets, periods of performance, cost-sharing commitments, personnel plans, restrictions, and other key terms and coordinating necessary award setup actions with appropriate University offices.
• Coordinate administrative actions throughout the award lifecycle, including amendments, prior approvals, no-cost extensions, progress reporting, subrecipient actions, and other sponsor or institutional requirements.
• Maintain accurate award records, deadlines, outstanding actions, and supporting documentation for assigned projects.

3. Financial Stewardship and Award Monitoring

• Monitor sponsored-project budgets, expenditures, payroll, commitments, and available balances to assess financial health and alignment with the approved budget and period of performance.
• Prepare and communicate financial reports, projections, and other analyses to PI