Grants & Contracts Office Program Supervisor - Office of Research

Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Outstanding healthcare coverage

403B retirement package

Competitive vacation and paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Paid parental leave

Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Pet insurance

On‑campus fitness facility with onsite classes

Discounted rates on local services and recreation

Job summary

The Medical College of Wisconsin is seeking a GCO Program Supervisor to manage complex grants and proposal initiatives. This role serves as a bridge between researchers and stakeholders, ensuring timely proposal submission within budget and adherence to compliance.

With a Bachelor's degree and minimum of 7 years experience required, the Supervisor will oversee pre-award and post-award administration and engage with various stakeholders to meet research goals. The position offers outstanding benefits and promotes an inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of related experience required.
• Experience in grants administration and contract negotiation preferred.
• Ability to handle stressful and deadline-driven environments.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute program initiatives across various teams.
• Ensure compliance and operational accuracy for grant proposals.
• Engage stakeholders to advance research program goals.

Skills

Organization skills

Knowledge of NIH and OMB regulations

Project management

Written and oral communication

Critical thinking and problem solving

Attention to detail

Ability to interpret institutional policies

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s or advanced degree preferred

Certified Research Administrator (CRA)

Job description

GCO Program Supervisor (Grants Analyst III)

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 Program Supervisor (Grants Analyst III) is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing large, complex program initiatives across teams, departments, or centers. The Program Supervisor acts as a bridge between researchers and institutional stakeholders, including Office of Research and GCO. The role ensures MCW's proposals for these research projects are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with organizational goals. Utilizing an expertise of daily working knowledge of regulatory and institutional policies, the GCO Program Supervisor monitors daily activities, identifies workflow issues, and collaborates with leadership to implement solutions. The Program Supervisor conducts final proposal reviews and serves as an authorized business official for MCW. They work closely with investigators to facilitate, submit, negotiate, and award complex institutional grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve the defined portfolio of research proposals, grants, and programs, providing strategic oversight across the full award lifecycle.
• Execute complex pre‑award, non‑financial post‑award, and closeout administration for federal, pass‑through, nonprofit, local, state, and internal grants and contracts, ensuring compliance guidance, operational accuracy, and stewardship.
• Engage researchers, faculty, administrators, and stakeholders to advance research program goals and foster collaborative relationships with the Business Office.
• Contribute to data‑driven reporting, analysis, and performance tracking.
• Facilitate communication of portfolio status, risks, and outcomes to stakeholders and institutional leadership.
• Promote awareness and utilization of support services; respond to inquiries and provide guidance.
• Participate in institutional initiatives to advance research program capabilities.
• Assist in testing eBridge upgrades, enhancements, and issues.
• Develop and maintain support materials, including web‑based documentation and resources.
• Partner with other GCO analysts and stakeholders on team projects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Pre‑award clinical research support requires strong organization, knowledge of NIH and OMB regulations, and ability to interpret institutional policies.
• Maintain positive relationships with external sponsors and internal personnel while meeting institutional requirements; handle stressful, deadline‑driven environments; exhibit customer service, teamwork, and initiative.
• Strong project management, oral and written communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and attention to detail; proficiency with web‑based systems.

Qualifications

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

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor's degree

Minimum Required Experience: 7 years

Preferred Education: Master’s or advanced degree preferred

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

Required Certification/Licensure(s): Certified Research Administrator (CRA)

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.

Benefits

• Outstanding healthcare coverage: health, vision, dental, and flexible spending options
• 403B retirement package
• Competitive vacation and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Pet insurance
• On‑campus fitness facility with onsite classes
• Additional discounted rates on items such as cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment

Eligibility & Equal Opportunity

MCW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community and ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic characteristics, or military status. Harassment prohibited by law or retaliation based upon a protected characteristic is not tolerated.