GCO Grants Analyst II - Office of Research

Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage (Medical, Vision, and…

403B Retirement Package

Paid Holidays

Job summary

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) seeks a Grants Analyst II to manage a specialized portfolio within the Grants and Contracts Office. You will review, submit, negotiate and award incoming grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, collaborating with investigators and teams.

You will interpret sponsor and institutional policies, ensure compliance, and advise researchers. The role emphasizes independent judgment, accountability, and professional growth in a fast-paced, deadline-driven

Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills and persistent follow-through in a high-volume grants process.
• Solid knowledge of relevant federal regulations (NIH, OMB) and policy interpretation.
• Ownership mindset with ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Review grant applications and funding requests; prepare submissions to sponsors and coordinate with agencies.
• Interpret sponsor and institutional policies; identify risk and resolve issues proactively.
• Maintain accuracy and compliance to protect institutional interests and minimize risk.
• Negotiate terms of grant and contract awards; accept awards on behalf of the institution.
• Advise investigators and teams; ensure compliance across departments and agencies.
• Support team stability during peak periods and drive process improvements.
• Demonstrate professionalism and accountability in all interactions and workflows.
• Communicate clearly when representing GCO to departments and sponsors.
• Pursue ongoing professional growth and readiness for more complex responsibilities.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Customer service

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Web-based systems

Job description

Summary

The Office of Research helps to facilitate life‑saving biomedical research at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Nine distinct units provide specialized support to meet the administrative needs of our investigators and research staff, and together we coordinate, regulate, and monitor research studies. Our Grants and Contracts Office (GCO) unit supports MCW investigators and research staff in submitting competitive, compliant, and high-quality funding proposals.

The GCO Grants Analyst II is expected to operate with a high degree of independence, accountability, and professional judgment in managing a specialized and complex portfolio. The Analyst II role reflects advancement beyond foundational grant processing and requires consistent demonstration of critical thinking, initiative, and ownership of outcomes. The Analyst II works directly with investigators and their teams to facilitate, submit, negotiate and award incoming grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Utilizing a daily working knowledge of regulatory and institutional policies, the Analyst II reviews and submits grant applications on behalf of the institution, consults and advises investigators and their teams, develops and implements compliance measures.

Primary Responsibilities

• Demonstrate dependable performance and follow-through in managing deadlines, high-volume submissions, and complex awards without the need for routine oversight.
• Exercises independent judgment in interpreting sponsor and institutional policies, identifying risk, and resolving issues through proactive problem-solving.
• Maintains accuracy and compliance at a consistently high standard, recognizing that errors at this level carry institutional impact.
• Review grant applications, proposals and funding requests. Prepare same for submission to sponsor, and complete submission to funding agencies on behalf of the institution. Anticipates challenges and pursues answers independently, escalating appropriately only after thoughtful analyst and solution exploration.
• Interpret and articulate both institutional and sponsor policies and relevant procedures to ensure compliance. Proactively keep department apprised of changes in policies and regulations of relevant granting agencies. Work with departments and central administrative offices to achieve compliance.
• Contributes to team stability and reliability, especially during peak periods, serving as a consistent and trusted resource.
• Negotiate terms and conditions of grant and contract awards and accept awards on behalf of the institution. Communicates with clarity and authority when representing GCO to departments and sponsoring agencies.
• Demonstrates commitment to professional growth, expanding subject matter expertise, identifying process improvements, and building readiness for increasingly complex res.
• Models professionalism and accountability, reinforcing team standards and contributing positively to team culture.

Knowledge - Skills - Abilities

• Preaward clinical research support is a lengthy, detailed and structured process that requires an individual to have strong organizational skills and persistent follow-through. Must have solid knowledge of related federal regulations, including the National Institutes of Health and the Office of Management and Budget, and the ability to interpret organizational policies and guidelines for research management.
• Success at the Analyst II level is defined not only by task completion, but by ownership, sound judgment, institutional awareness, and demonstrated readiness for continued advancement within the team structure.
• Proven ability to maintain balance between positive relationships with external sponsors and internal personnel while adhering to the requirements of the institution. Ability to maintain confidences, perform effectively in a stressful, deadline-driven environment, and effectively plan and organize projects impacting the work of others. Positive advocacy of the goals and objectives of the unit, department and mission of MCW is essential. Flexibility with internal processes and timelines is fundamental. Must have strong customer service skills that includes courteous and helpful behavior; accomplishing tasks through teamwork and initiative; ensuring timely and thorough responses to complaints and critiques; and anticipating the needs of all those with whom you work.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential. Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and attentiveness to detail are required. Must have strong computer skills and a high comfort level with multiple web-based systems.

Qualifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted for education on an equivalent basis.

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor's degree

Minimum Required Experience: 5 years

Preferred Education: Master's or advanced degree preferred

Preferred Experience: Related experience in grants administration, contract negotiation; internal candidates encouraged to apply

Physical Requirements

Work requires occasionally lifting moderate weight materials, standing, or walking continuously.

Work Environment

Occasional exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, or contact with water or other liquids. Work is performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

Sensory Acuity

Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects.

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Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a brief overview of our benefits see: Benefits Overview

For a full list of positions see: MCW Careers

At MCW all of our endeavors, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: Caring - Collaborative - Curiosity - Inclusive - Integrity - Respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit-based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at MCW. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then MCW is the place for you. For more information, please visit our institutional website.

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination:

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.