Sr Research Administrator

Boston Children’s Hospital; Brookline (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Children’s Hospital seeks an experienced Research Administrator to manage pre-award and post-award activities for multiple funded programs. You will collaborate with Principal Investigators to ensure proposal accuracy, budget alignment, and timely submissions.

The role involves monitoring expenditures, forecasting funds, and ensuring compliance with sponsor regulations and hospital policies. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential in this challenging environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of research administrative experience OR 6 years of research administrative experience.
• Experience with pre-award and post-award functions for federal/state grants and private sources is preferred.
• Ability to forecast funds, monitor spending, and prepare periodic reports.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates pre-award activities including budget development and sponsor submission.
• Oversees post-award functions such as cost allocation and effort reporting.
• Maintains grant records and monitors expenditures across funding sources.
• Ensures compliance with sponsor guidelines and institutional policies.
• Provides guidance to Principal Investigators on proposal development and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Grant administration

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Manager/Director, this individual contributor provides overall management of a Department/Division/Program/PI research portfolio in partnership with Principal Investigators to ensure compliance and successful completion of research activities. Independently performs complex pre-award and post-award functions for all federal and/or state grant funds, private foundation grants, subcontracts, discretionary and endowment funds, and/or any other sponsored funds. May participate in strategic planning for Department/Division/Program. Acts as a consultant to and advisor of Principal Investigators regarding proposal and budget preparation, interpretation of sponsor guidelines and regulations, and problem resolution. Manages and oversees the grant application process, ensuring overall compliance and timely submission. Establishes departmental policies, systems and procedures to monitor research purchases and day-to-day spending. Performs financial analysis on grants including but not limited to forecasting and communicating results to Principal Investigators. May oversee departmental administration of effort reporting and ensures timely submission of completed effort reports. Collaborates with Department Administrator and appropriate Boston Children’s central administrative offices to represent the needs of the Research Faculty. This position has signature authority on restricted funds. May involve training and/or mentoring less experienced Research Administrators.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinates and/or performs pre-award functions such as assisting Principal Investigators in completion of grant proposals including budget development, drafting administrative sections, collecting materials, and obtaining institutional review/approval.
• Oversees/performs post-award functions such as allocation of research labor costs across funding sources consistent with level of research effort.
• Coordinates departmental research effort reporting and ensures timely submission certified effort reports, and may approve purchase requisitions in compliance with sponsor and institutional guidelines.
• Use institutional resources to maintain department records of grant awards and agreements.
• May help research staff identify sources of funding by maintaining knowledge of agency programs and disseminating information to staff.
• Partners with appropriate institutional central offices to represent the needs of the research faculty and to resolve complex problems.
• Analyzes monthly expenses and overall status of each grant, processing necessary corrections through appropriate channels.
• Reviews departmental processes and procedures to ensure compliance. Works with the Department Administrators and Principal Investigators to develop annual budgets and forecasts. Reconciles monthly expense variances between hospital financial systems and budgets.
• Forecasts funds over/under expenditures and provide monthly status reports to the Principal Investigators.
• Performs other financial analysis as needed. Includes preparation and submission of annual progress reports. Ensures timely renewal of grant and subcontracts and/or orderly closeout of completed sponsored activities.
• Attends meetings, institutional and/or industry training/conferences to keep skills current and knowledge up-to-date on sponsor regulations, Hospital policies, and emerging technologies.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• A high school diploma or GED; a bachelor's degree is preferred.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of research administrative experience required OR 6 years of research administrative experience.