Director of Contracts & Grants, Research Administration

Indiana University; Bloomington (IN); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Generous paid time off

Tuition subsidy for IU courses

Job summary

Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs seeks a Research Administration professional to manage pre/post-award processes for contracts and grants, advising PIs and staff on budgets, compliance, and reporting.

The role supports sponsors, vendors, and university offices, ensuring fiscal accuracy and regulatory adherence while enabling effective stewardship of sponsored funds. Hybrid schedule offered with remote work possibilities.

Qualifications

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive pre-award and post-award research administration support for contracts and grants.
• Advises principal investigators, faculty, staff, and administrators on proposal development, sponsor requirements, grant administration, financial compliance, and reporting.
• Serves as a liaison with IU research administration offices and funding agencies to ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines, university policies, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Provides consultation and support to faculty, principal investigators, and staff throughout the proposal development and submission process.
• Assists with identifying funding opportunities, preparing proposal budgets, reviewing submissions for compliance, and coordinating with the Office for Research Administration and other university stakeholders.
• Ensures proposals meet sponsor requirements and university policies prior to submission.
• Administers grants and contracts after award, including financial monitoring, budget oversight, reporting, and award management activities.
• Reviews expenditures to ensure compliance with sponsor and university requirements, analyzes reporting obligations, and coordinates award modifications, extensions, and closeout processes.
• Partners with principal investigators and administrators to support effective stewardship of sponsored funds.
• Serves as a subject matter resource on sponsored research administration, providing guidance on sponsor regulations, contractual obligations, and university policies.
• Interprets grant and contract requirements, evaluates compliance concerns, and recommends appropriate actions to mitigate risk.
• Works collaboratively with faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners to support successful grant administration.
• Develops and maintains reports related to grant and contract activity, utilizing data to support decision-making and operational effectiveness.
• Identifies opportunities to improve processes, enhance compliance, and increase efficiency across research administration functions.
• Participates in special projects and initiatives that advance departmental and organizational goals.
• Supervise and coach contract and grants personnel.

Skills

Communication skills

Professionalism

Time management

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Desire to learn

Accuracy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs seeks a Research Administration professional to manage pre/post-award processes for contracts and grants, advising PIs and staff on budgets, compliance, and reporting.

The role supports sponsors, vendors, and university offices, ensuring fiscal accuracy and regulatory adherence while enabling effective stewardship of sponsored funds. Hybrid schedule offered with remote work possibilities.