Research Administration Manager

University Of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Florida invites applications for a Research Administration Manager on the Main Campus in Gainesville, FL. This role provides strategic direction and oversight of post-award research administration across CLAS units, ensuring consistent workflows, internal controls, and high-quality service to faculty and administrators.

The manager will lead award setup, financial monitoring, payroll, subawards, and sponsor reporting, while guiding complex compliance matters and risk

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and four years of experience in grant and contract administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong leadership, analytical and communication abilities for complex post-award work.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and mentoring staff in a research administration environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for post-award research administration across CLAS units.
• Oversee award setup, financial monitoring, payroll, subawards, sponsor reporting, and project closeout.
• Offer expert guidance on allowability, allocability, and compliance requirements for sponsored projects.
• Lead a high-performing team, onboarding, training, and staff development.
• Build partnerships with PIs, departments, College leadership, and central offices.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Grant management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Apply now Job no: 541562
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support, Grant or Research Administration
Department: 16010800 - LS-CLAS RESEARCH OFFICE

Classification Title:

Research Administration Manager

Bachelor's degree and four years of experience in grant and contract administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Lead Post-Award Research Administration

Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for post-award research administration across departments and units served by the CLAS Research Office. The manager will establish consistent workflows, internal controls, service expectations, and quality standards while monitoring portfolio activity and emerging financial or compliance risks.

Responsibilities include overseeing award setup and account structures; financial monitoring and forecasting; payroll and effort; award modifications; subawards; sponsor reporting coordination; project closeout; and other post-award activities. The manager will also help resolve complex or escalated financial and administrative matters and provide direct portfolio support when needed during transitions, high-volume periods, or other critical situations.

Provide Expert Guidance and Manage Risk

Serve as an advanced resource to faculty, research administrators, departments, and College leadership on post-award financial and compliance requirements.

The manager will provide guidance on allowability, allocability, reasonableness, award restrictions, prior approvals, cost sharing, participant support, rebudgeting, effort, payroll, subawards, award changes, and other complex post-award matters. The position will identify emerging risks, recommend corrective actions, support audits and compliance reviews, and help ensure that sponsored projects are administered in accordance with sponsor, institutional, state, and federal requirements.

Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team

Supervise, coach, and mentor post-award research administration staff. The manager will assign and balance work, monitor service levels, provide technical guidance, support resolution of complex issues, and create opportunities for staff development and cross-training.

The manager will also lead structured onboarding and continuing education for post-award research administrators and help develop a culture of shared knowledge, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The underlying position description specifically places responsibility for onboarding, continuing education, mentoring, shadowing, and skill-building with this role.

Build Faculty and Campus Partnerships

Develop strong relationships with Principal Investigators, departmental staff, College leadership, and central administrative offices. The manager will facilitate recurring portfolio reviews, communicate financial and compliance matters clearly, anticipate upcoming needs, and help faculty and administrators make informed decisions throughout the life of an award.

The position serves as a key liaison among the CLAS Research Office, departments, DSP, Contracts & Grants, and other university partners and may communicate with sponsors and external partners as appropriate and authorized.

Help Shape a Growing Research Office

The CLAS Research Office values thoughtful improvement, shared knowledge, professional development, and consistent service. The Research Administration Manager will play an important role in developing the infrastructure needed to support those goals.

The manager will develop and improve procedures, tools, templates, checklists, training materials, internal controls, performance measures, and other resources supporting post-award administration. The position will monitor changes in sponsor and federal requirements, identify recurring operational or compliance challenges, and work with Research Office leadership to develop practical and scalable solutions.

Bachelor's degree and four years of experience in grant and contract administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred

• Successful candidates will demonstrate a combination of the following:
• Significant experience in sponsored research administration, with strong knowledge of post-award financial management and compliance.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including supervising, developing, training, or mentoring staff.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to independently interpret complex requirements, identify risk, and develop practical solutions.
• Demonstrated commitment to professionalism, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Experience working effectively with faculty, departmental staff, institutional leadership, and central administrative offices.
• Proficiency with research administration, financial, reporting, and productivity systems; experience with University of Florida systems and processes is preferred.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Health Assessment Required:

Health Assessment Required: No

Advertised: 30 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 18 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

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