Research Administrator Senior/Intermediate

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan is seeking a post-award Research Administrator to manage financial processes related to federal and non-federal grants. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in financial management, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative environment. This role includes responsibilities ranging from budget management to compliance oversight, contributing to the university's mission in research and education.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Health and wellness benefits

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in research administration 3-5 years required.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage post-award financial processes including reporting and budget management.
• Review expenditures and ensure compliance with grant funding.
• Assist faculty with grant-related change requests and advise on best practices.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Tableau

M-Pathways

Job description

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is seeking a post-award Research Administrator to join our rapidly growing grants management team. The successful candidate will have significant experience in direct post award financial management and analysis, strong attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills. This candidate will apply comprehensive knowledge of the sponsored project lifecycle and independently manage the post-award process, which includes reconciliation, internal and external financial reporting, and monitoring awards received.

We are looking for a candidate who thrives in a team environment, enjoys working closely with faculty, takes initiative, solves problems and excels at financial tracking. Ability to meet deadlines and efficiently multitask is a must.

Grants Management

• Financial management of federal and non-federal grants, which includes NIH, government sponsored, foundation, clinical trials, and internal grants.
• Manages budgets and all other required forms for federal and non-federal grants.
• Assists with progress reports, close-out activities, and assist faculty with post award change requests, including re-budgeting and extensions.
• Review research expenditures, monitoring appropriateness for grant funding and allowability.
• Prepare sponsor reports and ensure all documents meet agency and University guidelines.
• Faculty portfolio analysis and reporting - including effort, projecting and updating encumbrances
• Advise Principal Investigator on best practices to achieve effective post-award management (e.g., forecasting).
• Review complex sponsor guidelines to accurately interpret Award requirements with university policies.
• Responsible for recognizing and/or interpreting complex agreement characteristics and manage them as needed (e.g., FAR clauses, industry restrictions, agreement acceptance requests).
• Analyze faculty effort and advise/educate faculty on distribution and funding sources based on clinical, academic, and research activities.
• Ensure appropriate payments are received through outside contracts.
• Review/Approve expense reports and advise administrative staff on best practices.

Financial

• Provide accounting support (e.g., journal entries, vouchers, non-po's).
• Provide Principal Investigator with monitoring reconciliation of grants and contracts to ensure expenses are being paid according to contract.
• Prepare monthly reporting and yearly budget projections for a moderate number of project grants.
• Review and reconcile monthly activity resolving issues and reporting areas of concern.
• Create, maintain and reconcile detailed budgets and take corrective action when necessary.
• Review transactions and resolve issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing and/or effort reporting knowledge.
• Develop complex project budget per sponsor requirements/guidelines.
• Create multi-year budgets for complex projects.

Administrative

• Review and approve expenditures for materials, equipment, support staff and travel.
• Assist in developing and implementing administrative procedures & resources for continuous improvement.
• Assist team members in problem solving and decision-making processes. Help foster team cohesiveness and positive morale.
• Maintain appropriate communications with faculty, project team, ORSP and Sponsored Programs

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all appropriate policies and procedures.
• Identify potential compliance-related issues and offer suggestions for handling before escalating.
• Participate in the development and implementation of departmental policies.

Research Administrator Senior: Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience 5+ in research administration.

Research Administrator Intermediate Underfill: Bachelor's degree and 3 - 5 years of grant and contract experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrates ability to work independently and in a team environment and collaborate effectively with co-workers.
• Progressive knowledge of Excel and other Office products, comfort with changing technology.
• Provide high levels of customer service in interactions.
• Organize and synthesize complex information and the ability to communicate complex financial matters.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications.
• Ability to set priorities and manage competing deadlines.
• Candidates will need to be detail oriented and exhibit sound judgement, follow through to completion, and meet high work standards.

Familiarity with University of Michigan systems including M-Pathways, M-Reports, e-Recon, Business Objects, Tableau and other data sources to review and analyze financial activity is preferred.

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process maybegin as early as the eighth day after posting.Thisopening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.