Award Management Specialist

guide research planning. Collect and analyze financial data in preparation for monthly spending reports to PIs, providing relevant expenditure projections and an ongoing review of post-award activity. In collaboration with department staff, complete thorough monthly reconciliations on grant awards and review results directly with Principal Investigators (PIs). Work with PIs and campus administrators to solve problems, answer questions, and give guidance on post-award activities and other grants management topics. Project Administration & Lifecycle Management Assist and provide guidance to faculty and unit-level staff on the financial management and tracking of awards, including but not limited to purchasing, travel, hiring of project personnel, reporting, and sub-award interactions. Plan and execute award kickoff meetings and quarterly award meetings with PIs and department staff to review project status and financial health. Manage overall budgets and reporting timelines throughout the entire lifecycle of the award, ensuring no deadlines are missed. Collaboratively design, draft, and develop formal budget revisions and re-budgeting scenarios for active awards, aligning revised spending plans with project milestones. Provide active support and guidance to department staff on institutional procedures and systems required to process financial transactions on grant accounts successfully. Review award transactions, ensuring all charges are allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Compliance, Information Analysis & Decision-Making Provide financial oversight, financial and administrative compliance guidance on awards, and award management support regarding sponsor and institutional policies, procedures, and guidelines. Track and monitor cost-share commitments to ensure the institution meets its documented obligations. Review, coordinate, and submit sponsor prior approval requests, Assumptions of Risk, and other administrative amendments. Work as the lead mediator when financial non-compliance is identified. Collaborate with department staff to investigate the root cause, and partner with the Research Accounting and Financial Compliance Team to implement corrective action plans. Oversee monthly expense reporting, projections, and formal closeouts. Assist faculty and unit-level staff with timely award closeouts, work to clear remaining encumbrances, and coordinate with the Research Accounting and Financial Compliance Team to submit final financial reports (FFRs). Compliance, Information Analysis & Decision-Making Maintain strong, positive relationships with faculty and staff, all units within the Division of Research, and sponsor agencies to facilitate the work of research administration at the University. Promote and maintain close, effective working relationships between the teams within the Office of Sponsored Research Administration. Work with colleagues and team members to jointly solve questions and challenges in their daily work, responding to inquiries in a timely, professional manner and providing consistently excellent support. Monitor changes to sponsor policies and procedures and assist with communicating key changes to campus research administrators and investigators. Other duties as assigned. Minimum Experience / Education: Bachelor's degree and two+ (2+) years of experience in sponsored research administration and post-award grants management or equivalent combination of education and experience Preferred Education Skills and Experience: Master's Degree 5+ years of experience in post-award and research administration Experience supporting sponsored research activities within an institution of higher education Thorough knowledge of 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance), cost principles, direct/indirect costing, and sponsor-specific rules regarding re-budgeting thresholds and prior approvals. Advanced Excel skills (formulas, pivot tables, data modeling for financial projections and budget scenarios) and experience with financial systems and electronic research administration systems. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders at all levels. Strong problem-solving, project management, and time management skills.