Financial Research Project Manager (Level I, II or III) - College of Engineering

Colorado State University; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Financial Research Project Manager to oversee budget management for scientific research projects. This role involves coordinating with faculty and research scientists, preparing proposals for funding, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and communication skills, along with a solid background in research administration. This position offers the opportunity to work in a vibrant academic community that values diversity and inclusion while providing a supportive environment for professional growth. If you are passionate about research and eager to make a significant impact, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Robust benefits package

Collaborative atmosphere

Focus on work-life balance

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse research funding portfolio including grants and contracts.
• Coordinate preparation of scientific research proposals.

Skills

Oral communication skills

Written communication skills

Interpersonal communication skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

High school diploma with 8 years of experience or CRA/CPRA certification

Tools

MS Office (specifically Excel)

Adobe Acrobat

Kuali Financial System Information (KFS)

Kuali Research Proposal Development (KR/PD)

Job description

Financial Research Project Manager (Level I, II or III) - College of Engineering

Working Title: Financial Research Project Manager (Level I, II or III) - College of Engineering

Position Location: Fort Collins, CO

Work Location: Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional Position: Yes

Posting Number: 202500173AP

Position Type: Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title: Research Coordinator

Number of Vacancies: 3

Work Hours/Week: 40

Proposed Annual Salary Range: $60,000 - $78,200 commensurate with education, experience, and qualifications

Employee Benefits: Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 02/23/2025.

Description of Work Unit: Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

The Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering (WSCOE) at Colorado State University (CSU) consists of about 3,000 students enrolled in BS, MS, and PhD programs, 145 tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty, and over 400 support staff and research scientists.

The Office of the Dean provides administrative support for faculty, staff, and students in the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. The Office of the Dean serves as the main administrative office for the rest of the University.

The College of Engineering Research Business Office (RBO) provides coordination and direct support for the management of federal, state, and commercial grants and contracts for research groups within the college.

Position Summary: The Financial Research Project Manager (RPM) provides day-to-day budget management of a complex portfolio of scientific research projects working closely with college faculty and senior research scientists to coordinate multiple research projects.

The RPM also plays a leading role in the preparation and submission of scientific proposals to external sponsors, including federal, state, and local government agencies, industry, and foundations.

This position does not participate in the scientific research of any project.

A successful RPM will be capable of coordinating complex expenditure planning for multiple research projects, forecasting, and recommending appropriate solutions for staff funding shortfalls, and purchasing or travel complications. This individual does not typically execute financial transactions, but reviews and approves/declines project-related expenditures in consultation as needed with the projects’ principal investigator (PI). The RPM will possess strong organizational skills with emphasis on attention to detail and writing proficiency; be a quick learner; and possess excellent interpersonal skills to work with faculty, research scientists, university administrators, and program managers in the US and abroad.

The individual selected for this position will be classified into one of the following levels based on education and experience:

RPM Level I: $60,000 – $69,200 per year

• Bachelor’s Degree. Or in lieu of Bachelor’s Degree, a high school diploma plus either eight (8) years of relevant work experience, OR a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA) certification in lieu of eight (8) years of experience.
• Two (2) years of related professional experience.

RPM Level II: $69,201 – $71,000 per year

• Bachelor’s Degree. Or in lieu of Bachelor’s Degree, a high school diploma plus either eight (8) years of relevant work experience, OR a CRA or CPRA certification in lieu of eight (8) years of experience.
• Two (2) years of related professional experience plus three (3) years of research administration experience, including but not limited to proposal submissions, project management, and/or financial management.

RPM Level III: $71,001 – $78,200 per year

• Bachelor’s Degree. Or in lieu of Bachelor’s Degree, a high school diploma with either eight (8) years of relevant work experience, OR a CRA or CPRA certification in lieu of eight (8) years of experience.
• Five (5+) plus years of research administration experience, including but not limited to proposal submissions, project management, and/or financial management.

The Financial Research Project Manager reports to the Post Award Manager in the Walter Scott, Jr, College of Engineering at the Colorado State University.

Remote work is negotiable depending on the experience of the candidate. Remote work candidates will be considered, however periodic on-campus presence may be necessary (e.g.: staff retreat) but not on a regular basis. Therefore, candidates are expected to be within driving distance of Fort Collins.

The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date. The Department will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Required Job Qualifications:

• RPM Level I: $60,000 – $69,200 per year
  • Bachelor’s Degree. Or in lieu of Bachelor’s Degree, a high school diploma plus either eight (8) years of relevant work experience, OR a CRA or CPRA certification in lieu of eight (8) years of experience.
  • Two (2) years of related professional experience.
  • Legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposal start date. The department will not sponsor a visa for this position.
• RPM Level II: $69,201 – $71,000 per year
  • Bachelor’s Degree. Or in lieu of Bachelor’s Degree, a high school diploma plus either eight (8) years of relevant work experience, OR a CRA or CPRA certification in lieu of eight (8) years of experience.
  • Two (2) years of related professional experience plus three (3) years of research administration experience, including but not limited to proposal submissions, project management, and/or financial management.
  • Legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposal start date. The department will not sponsor a visa for this position.
• RPM Level III: $71,001 – $78,200 per year
  • Bachelor’s Degree. Or in lieu of Bachelor’s Degree, a high school diploma with either eight (8) years of relevant work experience, OR a CRA or CPRA certification in lieu of eight (8) years of experience.
  • Five (5+) plus years of research administration experience, including but not limited to proposal submissions, project management, and/or financial management.
  • Legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposal start date. The department will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Proven effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated time management skills essential to meeting critical deadlines.
• Advanced knowledge of office productivity software including MS Office (specifically Excel), data retrieval, report preparation, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Familiarity with Federal Cost Accounting Standards and Uniform Guidance requirements.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Experience forecasting and managing project staffing and budgets.
• Familiarity with the administrative activities associated with the scientific research process.
• Experience with Kuali Financial System Information (KFS) and Kuali Research Proposal Development (KR/PD) systems.
• Experience with the preparation of scientific research proposals including budget development.
• Certification in Research Administration such as CRA, CPRA, and/or CFRA.

Diversity Statement: Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Job Duty Category: Project Management

Duty/Responsibility:

• Management of a diverse research funding portfolio including federal, state, local government, foreign government, private sector, and non-profit agency grants, contracts, and cooperative agreement funding.
• Makes day-to-day project expenditure decisions, based on familiarity with project objectives and available funding, consulting with the project PI, OSP, and others as needed.
• Interacts with program managers, contracting staff, and scientific leadership at external funding agencies to address questions and resolve problems related to project staffing, budget categories, contracting issues, project status updates, requests for project extension or supplemental funding, and project reporting.

Percentage Of Time: 40%

Job Duty Category: Proposal Submissions

Duty/Responsibility:

• Proposal submissions, as needed to support the pre-award team.
• Researches and coordinates preparation of scientific research proposals to federal sponsors.

Percentage Of Time: 5%

Special Instructions to Applicants: For full consideration, please upload a cover letter that clearly addresses the required and preferred qualifications for this position, your resume/CV, and the contact information for three professional references by 11:59 PM (MST) on February 23, 2025.

Conditions of Employment: Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).

References Requested

Minimum Requested: 3

Maximum Requested: 3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the time of hire. Will you be legally authorized to work in the US by the proposed start date?
  • Yes
  • No