Sr. Research Administrator, Oncology

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Lauderdale Courts (TN); On-site; USD 71,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking a Senior Research Administrator to partner with Oncology investigators and manage post-award grants and contracts across the full lifecycle.

The role emphasizes financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and excellent customer service within a collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will oversee complex award management, support pre-award activities when needed, and contribute to policy development and reporting, ensuring effective

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 4+ years of experience in grant administration processes or related financial information systems.
• Experience with relevant regulations and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage administration of grants and sponsored programs throughout the award lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with federal, sponsor, or institutional guidelines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on audits and complex issue resolution.
• Develop policies and analytical reports, including account reconciliations.
• Reconcile and analyze grants and contracts in line with policies and deadlines.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and automate processes.
• Maintain regular attendance and contribute to department goals.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Senior Research Administrator serves as a trusted partner to Oncology investigators and research teams, providing expert support across the full lifecycle of sponsored projects, with a primary focus on post-award grants and contract administration. This role is responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of complex sponsored awards while ensuring sound financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service in support of the Department of Oncology's research mission.

The Senior Research Administrator independently oversees award management activities, including financial monitoring, reconciliation, reporting, compliance oversight, subaward administration, and resolution of complex administrative and financial issues. As needed, the position also supports pre-award activities, including proposal development, budget preparation, review of submission materials, and interpretation of sponsor guidelines and requirements. The successful candidate will be comfortable navigating both pre- and post-award functions and adapting to evolving departmental needs.

Working in a highly collaborative environment, the Senior Research Administrator partners closely with investigators, research teams, Finance Operations, Grants Operations, Grants Accounting, sponsor institutions, and other institutional stakeholders to ensure effective management of sponsored funding throughout the award lifecycle. This role serves as a key resource for faculty and staff, providing guidance on sponsor requirements, regulatory compliance, financial management, and research administration best practices.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, solutions-oriented professional with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong commitment to customer service. They are highly organized, thrive in a team-based environment, and have the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and accountability. Success in this role requires sound judgment, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to build productive relationships across diverse stakeholders.

As a subject matter expert in research administration, the Senior Research Administrator contributes to the development of policies, procedures, reports, training resources, and process improvements that strengthen compliance, enhance operational efficiency, and support the continued growth and success of Oncology research programs.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage administration of grants and sponsored programs (e.g., review of proposal documents including budget, monitoring of subawards, primarily award lifecycle management).

• Ensure compliance with federal, sponsor or institutional guidelines related to grants. Implement and monitor compliance with current accounting standards, policies, procedures and regulatory guidelines.

• Proactively work with cross-functional teams (e.g., research team, sponsor institutions) on matters related to audits and complex issue resolution.

• Actively contributes to the development of policies and procedures to ensure high-quality services of own team/ department.

• Lead development and maintenance of analytical & departmental reports including account reconciliations.

• Reconcile and analyze grants and contracts in compliance with internal and departmental policy while adhering to established deadlines.

• Identify opportunities and provide inputs to improve efficiency/ automate current processes.

• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.

• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree required.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum Requirement: 4+ years of experience in grant administration processes as applicable to grants and sponsored programs or accounting experience or related financial information systems.

• Experience working with relevant regulations.

• Experience working with cross-functional teams.

• Proven performance in earlier role.

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $70,720 - $126,880 per year for the role of Sr. Research Administrator, Oncology.

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St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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