Assistant Manager, Financial Award Administration

Department: Office Rsrch Innov and Econ Impact

Classification: Financial Svcs Specialist 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Remote Eligible

Pay Band: 05

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is responsible for establishing and nurturing a dynamic environment which will maximize external funding for research, scholarly, and creative pursuits while ensuring that the university's financial, contractual, and regulatory exposures are minimized. OSP provides guidance and support to the university community in its research efforts and creates an administrative environment which fosters the creative process and ensures protection of the university's financial and contractual obligations.

About the Position:

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) Assistant Manager, Financial Award Administration assists the Manager, Financial Award Administration with managing a team responsible for award set up, award modifications, routing agreements for review and communicating with departments to respond to questions and issues related to post award management of sponsored awards. The position requires a significant emphasis on customer service, attention to detail and an understanding and ability to interpret complex regulations, requirements and terms and conditions to ensure compliance. As part of the Post Award Administration team in OSP, this position interfaces regularly with other OSP staff, department and college research administrators, university central office staff, faculty, and external sponsors.

Responsibilities:

• Completes a final comprehensive review for new awards and modifications and provides approval for activation in the financial system;
• Reviews new awards and modifications for accuracy before they are entered in the financial system;
• Serves as a subject matter expert regarding matters related to award set up, sponsor terms and conditions, policies, procedures, and federal requirements governing post award management of sponsored awards;
• Maintains a working knowledge of external regulatory requirements to ensure compliance;
• Serves as a resource for the Post Award Research Administrators and the Awards Administration Team Manager including but not limited to, assisting research administrators with questions and resolution of issues, providing training to the team and other GMU administrators on post award content areas, providing oversight and guidance to external support staff, and serving as a backup supporting the team manager in times of absence or high volume;
• Collaborates with other central offices, department administrators, and other management level staff in OSP to implement and maintain effective and efficient procedures related to award set up and award management; 
• Provides guidance and training to staff to ensure requirements are understood and procedures are followed;
• Assists with developing and updating procedures and reference materials as needed;
• Responsible for running and reviewing monthly reports related to post award management and following up to ensure resolution of identified issues. Monthly reporting includes discrepancy reports and other reports related to award set up and management;
• Enters system corrections and manual budget entries as needed;
• Reviews error reports and enters system corrections and budget entries as needed to correct issues with award upload to financial system;
• Monitors post award inbox and assigns incoming awards & modifications for processing;
• Reviews advance account entries for accuracy;
• Responds promptly to inquiries or requests for assistance as they relate to post award management;
• Performs analysis of issues and determines appropriate resolution;
• Performs other related duties incidental to the position;
• Serves on committees & working groups, or other special initiatives as needed; and
• Attends quarterly post award meetings with colleges to discuss issues or concerns and outstanding requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Extensive professional experience in research administration, including post award experience and extensive knowledge of Uniform Guidance;
• Knowledge of, and ability to, interpret federal, state, sponsor and university guidelines;
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively with other teams throughout the university;
• Proficiency in using Excel and other Microsoft based software applications;
• Strong problem solving & analytical skills, excellent attention to detail;
• Well organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently;
• Flexible with the ability to adapt to changes in policy or processes that impact post award management of sponsored projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Certified Research Administrator or similar accreditation;
• Experience in an academic or related research environment;
• Knowledge and ability in using Ellucian Banner financial system; and
• Knowledge and experience with sponsor research administration systems.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Manager, Financial Award Administration at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: September 5, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  September 27, 2024

Open Until Filled:  Yes