Research Administrator, Post Award

Department: College of Science

Classification: Financial Svcs Specialist 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

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

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The College of Science is committed to enhancing the College’s strength in the sciences by promoting excellence in research. Our pioneering research initiatives provide world-class scientific leadership in a wide variety of areas important to modern society. The College promotes diversity, and recruits the brightest faculty, students, and staff to create a vibrant and dynamic environment of learning and inquiry. The College enhances the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the University by responding to the needs of the community and creating spires of excellence.

The George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (AJEDI) throughout our STEM community, including within our hiring and retention practices. At Mason Science, our values include fostering an organizational culture that promotes anti-racism, belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that a diversity of opinions, cultures, and perspectives is what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing inclusive excellence in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract a diverse pool of faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

The George Mason University local Research Administration provides post-award research administration services to faculty. The Post Award Research Administrator is responsible for managing post-award activities in support of an assigned portfolio of grants and contracts within one or more units (i.e., school, department, division, institute, or center) using knowledge of grant and contract management rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills. Post-award activities include regular review, reconciliation, and projection of award finances, preparing adjustments and corrections to award budgets, preparing financial reports, and at the end of the award, ensuring all financial requirements have been met and closing out the award. The Research Administrator interacts regularly with and provides high quality customer service to faculty members conducting sponsored research. This position ensures adherence to quality standards and all policies and award regulations.

This position is expected to function with minimal oversight or supervision, be highly engaged with investigators, and collaborative with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). This position is expected to demonstrate understanding, adoption, and adherence to SOP and training.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Upon award acceptance, defines account establishment parameters, to include billing and reporting requirements, budget, and cost sharing obligations. Sets-up award in financial system;
• Distributes award information to PIs, co-PIs, and relevant staff;
• Coordinates with relevant individuals to make adjustments to payroll for all budgeted positions (including relative cost sharing positions);
• Reviews and reconciles award expenditures and budgets, making adjustments, as necessary;
• Projects and forecasts future award expenditures;
• Manages budget, reporting, and compliance timelines through the lifecycle of the grant or contract;
• Communicates with PIs on a regular basis regarding budget and expense adjustments and revisions;
• Complete invoice for sponsor (for certain award types only);
• Assist PIs with non-financial report submissions, as necessary;
• Coordinates and submits requests for No Cost Extensions, Carryover, rebudgeting requests, changes in scope, and other changes to the award; ensures all requests are done in compliance with sponsor guidelines and University policies;
• Facilitates the approval of invoices to pay subcontractors;
• Reviews effort reports and manages quarterly effort certification process for assigned units;
• Applies federal and university rules to management of effort allocation appropriately for individuals compensated whole or in part from federal awards;
• Assists in transferring awards out of the university; and
• Closeout of all funded projects consistent with university process and timelines.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Considerable progressive experience related to grants and contracts management;
• Knowledge of federal rules and regulations relating to research grant and/or contract activity;
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures relating to grants and contract activity; and University processes, systems, and offices related to and/or involved in grant and contract submission and management;
• Knowledge of financial processes and controls including the reconciliation process;
• Demonstrated ability to learn complex electronic systems;
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service in mathematics, financial management, and/or accounting;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and fundamental, professional interpersonal skills;
• Skill in the use of computers; requires solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point);
• Ability to analyze data and formulate conclusions;
• Ability to learn changing technologies related to grants and contract management;
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects/tasks simultaneously;
• Ability to create high quality written documents;
• Ability to proactively resolve problems and issues in a timely manner;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work collaboratively with other levels of post-award specialists to solve problems, answer questions, and give guidance on post-award activities and other grant management topics on a daily basis;
• Ability to understand and be able to apply costing rules and regulations to federally funded projects;
• Ability to understand and be able to apply federal and university rules to management of effort allocation for individuals compensated whole or in part from federal awards;
• Ability to mentor personnel for professional development;
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision managing a large volume of complex awards;
• Ability to interact and communicate with senior leadership and communicate effectively with colleagues and peers; and
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to solve questions and challenges in their daily work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field;
• Experience in Sponsored Programs Administration or related field; and
• Knowledge of the Banner Financial system, or demonstrated ability to learn complex electronic systems. 

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Research Administrator, Post Award at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date:  April 29, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  May 13, 2024

Open Until Filled?:  Yes