Pay Grade: 32E

Context of the Job:

Under limited direction of the Senior Business Officer, the Manager provides counsel on research administration matters with college research expenditures totaling approximately $60M. The Manager leads a team of Grants Analysts who provide service for the proposal phase of contracts and grants administration and maintains productive relationships with constituencies related to the contracts and grants operation in the College. The Manager also plans and executes preventative and corrective action to mitigate risk of non-compliance to avoid potential delay or loss of sponsor funding and additionally he/she completes special financial management projects including report generation using a variety of data sources and techniques.

Major Responsibilities: 

Direct College Research Administration staff in the proposal submission associated with over 375 grants and contracts resulting in approximately $60 million in annual extramurally funded activities on approximately 700 purpose codes. This activity includes observance and advocacy related to federal terms & conditions as well as federal acquisition regulation clauses.

• Supervise a team of Grants Analysts in all aspects of day-to-day operations of proposal preparation.  Manage the allocation and prioritization of workload for assigned staff.
• Serve as primary contact with Research Office leadership on day-to-day activities.  Maintain effective and consistent communication, develop rapport to ensure highly cooperative efforts particularly in the area of proposal preparation.
• Develop and recommend solutions to the Sr. Business Officer, the Associate Dean for Research & Entrepreneurship and Research Office leadership to address complex problems and issues.
• Formulate processes and procedures to be used across the College which facilitate administration of research within the framework of UD policies and sponsor terms and conditions.
• Provide leadership and guidance in the development of major center proposals with College faculty. Working closely with Research Development staff, assemble a team of administrators and other resources to sustain and support the submission.
• Review and approve financial webforms for transactions such as purchase requisitions, user fee allocations, bi-weekly pay, cost-share match and named professor funding, faculty summer salary contracts and other similar forms.
• Develop and conduct Certified Research Administrator training plans and study sessions.
• Mentor and develop new Grants Analysts and continually modify, develop and improve the ORA GA Training Plan.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as necessary.

Sponsored Programs

• Provide in-depth support of pre-award processing including close communication with the PI; review solicitation information and sponsor requirements to ensure the identification of complex clauses, match requirements, etc.; recommend budget, certifications, effort commitments and matching fund requests; interface with subcontract participants to ensure subcontract proposal inputs are completed; verify accuracy prior to proposal submission to the University Research Office.
• Create, collect and review complex proposal information including budget, budget justification, and proposal documents.
• Act as liaison between faculty member and Research Office on all proposal matters.
• In collaboration with the PI, develop competitive proposals in support of securing independent funding for projects; ensure accurate completion and approval of proposal package to the sponsor.
• Recommend matching fund sources and advise PI on optimal use of resources. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or other related field with five years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Advanced skills & experience in all aspects of proposal preparation – ability to prepare, teach and supervise development of budgets with a wide range of complexities.
• Advanced knowledge in spreadsheet and database applications.
• Knowledge and expertise of PeopleSoft and various sponsor databases.
• Query writing and report generations using a variety of data sources preferred.
• Strong knowledge of 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance and OMB Circulars A-21, A-110, A-133 and other pertinent external regulations required with the capacity to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures.
• Ability to analyze budgetary expenditures for compliance with approved policies and procedures.
• Work independently, strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective analytical and technical skills, including the ability to gather and analyze statistical data in order to generate ad-hoc reports that are meaningful and understandable to those not familiar with the data being reported.
• Ability to conduct detailed analysis of financial trends and prepare highly accurate projections for multiple budget categories.