Grants & Contracts Specialist II

Pittsburgh Tomorrow; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 58,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The Grants & Contracts Specialist II in the School of Public Health Dean’s Office supports pre- and post-award tasks for moderately complex sponsored projects, coordinating across departments and external partners, guiding faculty and staff through budgets and proposals, and ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements.

This role requires strong communication, the ability to manage multiple deadlines, and proficiency with financial systems and Microsoft Office; it involves travel within campus

Qualifications

• Pre- and post-award accounting experience.
• Experience with grant submission processes and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Supports pre- and post-award tasks for moderately complex sponsored projects across multiple School departments.
• Guides faculty and support staff through applications and proposal budgets.
• Facilitates account reconciliation and maintenance, and prepares routine financial documents.
• Interacts with administrators in other University departments and external institutions.

Skills

Grant submissions process

Budgeting

Cross-department collaboration

Deadline management

Communication

Tools

PERIS

Fiscal Panther

Tableau

Concur

Panther Express

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Grants & Contracts Specialist II will support the Director of Research Administration in the School of Public Health Dean’s Office. The role handles pre- and post-award tasks for moderately complex sponsored projects across multiple School departments, including participation in school-level review of sponsored project submissions, award activations, and modification requests. The role provides flexible pre- and post-award support to School departments as workload and priorities shift. The Grants & Contracts Specialist II guides faculty and support staff through applications and proposal budgets, facilitates account reconciliation and maintenance, collaborates with administrators in other University departments and at external institutions and foundations, and manages multiple priorities under strict deadlines. The role applies University and funding agency policies and assists with financial reports for internal use and to meet sponsor requirements.

Performs pre- and post-award accounting duties for moderately complex grants and contracts. Prepares, negotiates, and monitors grants, contracts, and budgets. Maintains award-related schedules, prepares government applications and reports, and interprets policy and procedure. Monitors account activity, resolves routine issues, and prepares routine financial documents. Suggests operational improvements.

This position requires pre- and post-award research administration experience, with working knowledge of grant submission processes. The incumbent must work effectively across multiple departments and portfolios of varying size and complexity and be willing to learn new awards and workflows quickly. The incumbent must be proficient with a computer, Microsoft Office, and financial software systems, including but not limited to PERIS, Fiscal Panther, Tableau, Concur, Panther Express. The incumbent must communicate effectively electronically and in person; work is conducted frequently by email, telephone, in-person meetings, and video technology (Zoom, Teams, etc.). The incumbent must work well under pressure and constant deadlines, and work autonomously with minimal supervision, following prescribed procedures and escalating complex issues to appropriate personnel.

The position is generally sedentary and requires extended periods of time at the computer. It requires the ability to travel within the SPH building, campus, and the Oakland area to attend meetings as needed.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.