Contract and Grant Specialist

Lehigh University; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 56,030 - 68,190; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania seeks a detail-oriented Contract and Grant Specialist to guide complex federal awards from proposal to closeout. This role focuses on ensuring compliant, on-time submissions and accurate budget development.

You will support faculty and researchers across divisions, manage subcontractor costs and overhead, coordinate cost-sharing, and serve as Lehigh's authorized signatory for awards up to $500,000.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business or other suitable field
• One to three years of work related experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations relating to contract or grant agreements
• Experience in monitoring contract or grant budgets
• Experience managing and maintaining software packages
• Strong working knowledge of both Windows and MAC platforms
• Highly developed oral and written communications skills

Responsibilities

• Guide researchers through the entire proposal lifecycle, from interpreting sponsor guidelines to ensuring compliant, on-time submissions
• Direct budget development for single and multi-institutional projects, manage subcontractor costs, secure cost-sharing commitments, and coordinate overhead rates
• Finalizes and executes subcontracts and serves as Lehigh's authorized signatory for awards up to $500,000
• Interprets university policies, government mandates, and sponsor regulations to counsel faculty and collaborating organizations; coordinates with safety and risk management
• Negotiates final terms, conditions, and revised budgets with sponsors; maintains project records for audits
• Manages funded projects from inception to closeout by establishing accounts, approving expenses, monitoring budgets, and tracking cost-sharing commitments
• Acts as primary representative to external sponsors and partner organizations and liaises with internal departments on IP and compliance

Job description

Lehigh University's research enterprise is growing, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is looking for a detail-oriented Contract and Grant Specialist to help faculty and researchers bring their most ambitious ideas to life. This role focuses on guiding complex federal awards from proposal to closeout.

Position Number: S85570

Grade: 9‑40. Approximate salary range: $56,030‑$68,190, subject to change based on experience, skills, and qualifications.

Key Accountabilities

• Guides researchers through the entire proposal lifecycle, from interpreting complex sponsor guidelines and editing drafts to ensuring compliant, on‑time submissions.
• Directs budget development for single and multi‑institutional projects, manages subcontractor costs, secures cost‑sharing commitments, and coordinates overhead rates.
• Ensures adherence to safety and university policies, manages standardized legal agreements, and acts as an authorized institutional representative to sign off on proposals up to $500,000.
• Fosters strong working relationships with government administrators, subcontractors, and external collaborators while handling data requests and delegating daily administrative tasks.
• Negotiates final terms, conditions, and revised budgets with sponsors; finalizes and executes subcontracts; and serves as Lehigh's authorized signatory for awards up to $500,000.
• Interprets university policies, government mandates, and sponsor regulations to counsel faculty and collaborating organizations; coordinates with safety and risk management to ensure institutional compliance.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for external sponsors, consultants, and partner organizations while securing cost‑sharing commitments and managing research‑related data requests.
• Manages funded projects from inception to closeout by establishing accounts, approving expenses, monitoring budgets, resolving deficits, and tracking cost‑sharing commitments.
• Interprets complex regulations to advise faculty on allowable expenditures, maintains project records, secures documentation for internal and external audits, and liaises with external collaborators and sponsors.
• Acts as a primary representative to external sponsors and partner organizations, monitors and interprets shifting government regulations, and coordinates with internal departments like Tech Transfer on intellectual property and compliance.
• Guides faculty and administrators on university accounting systems and regulatory policies through direct consultations, specialized info‑sharing sessions, and new faculty orientation programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business or other suitable field
• One to three years of work related experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations relating to contract or grant agreements
• Experience in monitoring contract or grant budgets
• Experience managing and maintaining software packages
• Strong working knowledge of both Windows and MAC platforms
• Highly developed oral and written communications skills

Why Lehigh

Lehigh University is a privately endowed research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a strong commitment to pushing the boundaries of discovery across disciplines. As part of the Office of Vice Provost for Research, you'll sit at the center of that commitment — supporting work that spans engineering, humanities, health sciences, and beyond. Lehigh offers above average retirement contributions, generous tuition benefits for employees and dependents, and a collegial campus environment where your expertise is genuinely valued. This is a community that invests in the people who invest in its mission. Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university's mission.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.

Special Considerations

• This position has fiscal or financial responsibilities other than employee expense activity, such as processing or approving transactions; monitoring or preparing budgets; or generating income for University, therefore a credit check is required.
• The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.