Research Administrator Post Award

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

“To improve the lives of all Virginians by delivering cutting-edge cancer care through patient-centered prevention and treatment; high-impact, innovative research; community input and engagement; and education and training of the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.”

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center (Massey) is a nationally ranked cancer center located in the heart of Downtown Richmond. All full-time staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off,12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here : https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and academic-professional-benefits/

Massey is seeking a Post Award Grants Specialist to join the Post Award Team. The Post Award Grants Specialist will be responsible for providing post award support for a portfolio of grant and contract sponsored program awards. This role will involve managing the financial and administrative aspects of awarded grants and contracts, ensuring compliance with funding agency requirements, and facilitating effective communication between internal stakeholders and external partners. This position works cooperatively with the Director, Finance and Business Operations, Sr. Finance Manager, Post Award Manager, departmental administrators and Principal Investigators (PIs) in Massey and Schools outside of Massey.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to play a key role in managing the financial and administrative aspects of awarded grants and contracts. If you are passionate about grant and contract administration and thrive in a collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply for this position.

Position Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Experience in grant and contract administration, preferably in a research or academic environment.
  
• Strong understanding of federal regulations and compliance requirements related to grant and contract management.
  
• Excellent financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
  
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting and documentation.
  
• Strong organizational, problem solving and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Experience with Banner finance and grant management systems.
  
• Highly proficient in using Microsoft Office suite, Google Drive, and Smartsheet.
  Excellent customer service skills, written and verbal communication skills, and ability to work as part of a team.
  

• Able to understand and apply basic internal control concepts to daily management of Federal awards.
  
• Ability to work in a diverse environment is required.
  
• Prefer a working knowledge of state or university purchasing, travel, and personnel administration policies and procedures as well as general understanding of IRB and regulatory agency requirements pertaining to responsible conduct of research.
  
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification or other relevant research certification is desired.
  
  

Other job duties include and are not limited to:

• Oversee the post-award administration process for a portfolio of grants and contracts, including budget monitoring, financial reporting, and compliance oversight.
  
• Review award terms and conditions to ensure understanding and compliance with funding agency requirements.
  
• Collaborate with Principal Investigators (PIs), project teams, and other stakeholders to establish new awards and initiate spending; ensure award financial record and budget are accurate in university systems.
  
• Provide financial and administrative management including monthly reviews of: expenditures, projections, personnel allocations and cost share indexes. Ensure expenses allocated to project are allowable, reasonable and allocable.
  
• Coordinate with internal departments, such as finance, accounting, and procurement, to ensure alignment and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
  
• Meet with PIs and project teams, at least quarterly, to review financial and administrative matters related to grant and contract management.
  
• Manage sub awards: initiate sub award administrative actions, receive invoices, monitor finances, and obtain PI approval for invoice payment, process payments.
  
• Assist Principal Investigators (PIs), project teams, and other stakeholders with post award. reporting requirements and routing through the VCU department of Sponsored Programs.
  
• Identify and address any issues or discrepancies related to post-award administration such as labor distributions, subaward invoicing, or expenditures in a timely manner.
  
• Provide Closeout of funded projects consistent with university process and timelines.
  
• Remain informed through continuing education and development about changes in regulations and best practices related to grant and contract administration.
  
• Demonstrate a commitment to risk assessment (considering cost, benefit and impact), utilize. identified internal control mechanism and practice routine verification of the accuracy of data.
  

Preferred Hiring Standards:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or related field is preferred. Experience in finance, grants and accounting.
  
• Experience in analyzing data, interpreting information, providing logical conclusions/projections and anticipating costs/obligations.
  
• Prior experience in research administration in the areas of post award support, financial management, effort reporting and project close out.
  
• Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and OMB Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards.
  
• General understanding of IRB and IACUC policing pertaining to regulatory requirements in animal and human research.