Pay Grade: 31E

Context of the Job:

Under general direction of the Grants Manager, the Senior Grants Analyst provides comprehensive administrative support for research activities carried out by various Research Institutes and other projects at the University of Delaware (UD). UD’s Research Institutes, Centers, Program Projects, and Core Facilities play a strategic role in bringing scholars and scientists together to conduct collaborative, groundbreaking research. In supporting the Research Office and Research Institutes, the Senior Grants Analyst will help position UD as an innovative competitor in today’s complex and rapidly-changing research environment.

The Senior Grants Analyst will manage an assigned portfolio of proposals and awards to carry out pre-award and post-award administrative support tasks within the Research Office and Research Institutes. Initial assignments will focus on supporting faculty and researchers residing in the Research Office and Research Institutes, with additional responsibilities to evolve based on ongoing business needs of the Research Enterprise. The Shared Services Senior Grants Analyst will coordinate with Principal Investigators (PIs), central pre-award and post-award counterparts in the Research Office, other University constituents, and sponsor contacts to perform tasks.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide the direct local support for pre-award and post-award tasks for research administration:
  • Manage an individual portfolio for Research Office and Research Institutes beginning with, to adjust based on evolving business needs.
  • Serve as a primary administrative support contact for Research Office and Research Institute proposals, contracts, grants as assigned.
  • Coordinate with sponsors, faculty, researchers, and central offices/counterparts to complete tasks, including individuals in the Research Office (Contract and Grants Specialists, Sponsored Research Accountants, Billing Coordinators), Human Resources, Procurement, and others as applicable.
  • Provide ongoing guidance, facilitation and expertise to faculty and researchers for participation in Research office and Research Institute programs.
    • Provide instruction to Research Institute faculty and researchers on policies, procedures, regulations, and guidelines set forth by UD and various sponsors.
  • Report to the Grants Manager to communicate progress and assist with long-term planning for research support.
• Assist Research Office and Research Institute PIs with proposal development and submission to various sponsors, including:
  • Identification of funding opportunities based on individual research and access to UD resources.
  • Assist with drafting administrative components of a proposal, including budgets, budget justifications, bio sketches, and other support documents.
  • Enter proposal data into UD and sponsor enterprise application systems as applicable (e.g. PeopleSoft Financials, Cayuse, Grants.gov, Research.gov, etc.).
  • Collect required subaward documentation from collaborating subrecipients.
  • Advise PIs and the Research Office of cost share commitments and potential risks.
  • Provide comprehensive review of, corrections to, and/or enhancement of proposal applications.
  • Ensure completion of all components of the proposal package in compliance with requirements outlined by the FOA/RFP, sponsor, and UD.
  • Facilitate UD institutional review, approvals, routing, and submission of proposals in collaboration with the Research Office.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between PIs and the Research Office to ensure timeliness of submission and communication of internal and external deadlines.
  • Manage multiple proposals simultaneously to meet all sponsor deadlines.
• Provide compliance and financial oversight and management for awarded grants/contracts administered by the Research Office and Research Institutes, including:
  • Facilitate the communication of award terms and conditions, status of award review (if applicable), and other relevant updates to PIs.
  • Take actions to assist with award establishment in UD grants management and enterprise application systems (e.g. PeopleSoft Financials, HCM, etc.).
  • Review the established award in the financial system for accuracy and submit requested updates to the Research Office.
  • Review award documents related to budget modifications, compliance documentation, Just-in-Time (JIT) requests, etc.
  • Submit requests to the Research Office for project changes, prior approvals, extensions, budget revisions, etc.
  • Provide monthly reports to PIs providing financial status of their awards.
  • Review award statements to analyze variances between expenditures and the approved budget, taking appropriate actions with PIs to manage spending (e.g. burn rate, budget/expense forecasting, over-expenditures, etc.).
  • Monitor active subcontracts to ensure programmatic progress and compliance.
  • Review subcontract invoices for accuracy and address questions regarding payment.
  • Monitor and track all cost share commitments through the life of the award to ensure commitments are met.
  • Review initial expenditure transactions for processing and allocation to awards.
  • Submit cost transfer requests and documentation in coordination with PIs.
  • Ensure timely effort certifications per UD policy and procedures.
  • Communicate effort policies to PIs and research staff, including impact of variances (e.g. >25% effort changes), if they occur.
  • Partner with PIs to facilitate the effort reporting and certification process.
  • Review grant financials prior to the submission of sponsor-required financial reports.
  • Prepare awards for closeout and deactivation in accordance with sponsor reporting deadlines and requirements.
  • Notify PIs of outstanding residuals, deficits, or overdrafts and coordinate with the Research Office to complete final closeout adjustments.
  • Ensure all appropriate expenditures and cost transfers are posted before internal closeout deadlines.
  • Coordinate the transfer of incoming faculty members grants/contracts from previous appointments.
• Participate in special projects and perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with at least four years job-related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Prior experience in management of sponsored research programs at a higher education or research-intensive institution.
• Expertise in both pre-award and post-award aspects of sponsored research administration.
• Experience compliance, and financial management.
• Advanced skillset and experience in using technology systems, software, and databases for grants management. Experience in Grants.gov, Cayuse, and PeopleSoft Financials preferred.
• Proficiency in the use of MS-Office Suite, including strong analytical skills and aptitude for understanding and interpreting complex datasets.
• Ability to create, generate, analyze, and explain reports using a variety of data sources.
• Ability to analyze budgetary expenditures for compliance with approved policies and procedures.
• Skills for quantifying and illustrating complex reports, comparisons, impacts, and/or projections.
• Knowledge of OMB Circulars A-21, A-110, A-133, and Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.
• Knowledge of specific sponsor guidelines and regulations, including NIH, NSF, and other major agencies.
• High level of independent judgment and problem-solving abilities, able to interpret, adapt and appropriately apply guidelines and procedures.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, able to carry out multiple projects and tasks simultaneously and independently.
• Strong attention to detail and analysis skills, able to synthesize and coordinate information from a variety of sources.
• Willingness and flexibility to accommodate and effectively support changing priorities, processes, and systems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to effectively and clearly communicate and coordinate with individuals across all levels of the University community on a variety of research management topics with a focus on customer service and collaboration.
• Ability to provide a service-oriented approach to sponsored projects management; strong management and leadership abilities.
• Ability to interact well with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.

• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.