Grant Management Specialist

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

The Grant Management Specialist is a key contributor to the success of the University’s research and sponsored programs, overseeing the full lifecycle of grants, and contracts from identifying funding opportunities to post-award management and final closeout. Reporting to the Director of Government Sponsored Programs and Research this position provides high-level administrative and technical support to faculty and staff across disciplines, ensuring compliance and efficiency throughout the grant process. This is a grant-funded position that directly supports the University’s mission to advance research, innovation, and academic excellence.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Job Functions

• Serves as a liaison to faculty and professional staff to meet requirements to initiate and develop proposal concepts, and applying methods to progress to submission of applications to various federal, state and local agencies.
• Provide technical assistance to fund seekers in all aspects of grant award acquisition, to include renewal requests and collaborations.
• Assist with providing technical assistance with preparation for grant submissions by guiding constituents to assure supporting documents to substantiate quality proposals are efficiently remitted.
• Assists faculty and staff in identifying organizations for collaboration as co-investigators to develop grant proposals to secure extramural funding to support university efforts in instruction, research and service.
• Assist in facilitating training in specialized areas to faculty and staff as appropriate, to educate, interpret or explain institutional, governmental and funding agencies’ policies, regulations and rules as they pertain to program compliance, grant administration and proposal development.
• Staying abreast of institutional, governmental and funding agencies’ policies, regulations and rules particularly all applicable regulations statues pertaining to government funding requirements in the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
• Provides oversight of Title III, FUTURE, and other grant-funded objectives and initiatives to ensure compliance with grant intent, alignment with institutional priorities, timely implementation of activities, and achievement of established goals and outcomes.

Pre-Award Responsibilities:

• Assist in the preparation and submission of grant proposals, ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
• Serves as a liaison to faculty and professional staff to meet requirements to initiate and develop proposal concepts, and applying methods to progress to submission of applications to various federal, state and local agencies.
• Collect and review required documentation such as budgets, budget justifications, bio sketches, and other proposal components.
• Enter and track proposal submissions in internal systems.
• Help interpret funding opportunity announcements and communicate key requirements to stakeholders.
• Assist with electronic submission systems (e.g., Grants.gov, ASAP, Fastlane, Research.gov).

Post-Award Responsibilities:

• Support the setup and maintenance of awarded grants in financial systems.
• Monitor budget expenditures to ensure allowability, allocability, and reasonableness according to sponsor and institutional guidelines.
• Assist in processing award modifications, no-cost extensions, and budget revisions.
• Prepare and review basic financial reports and help reconcile grant accounts.
• Serve as a liaison between PIs, departments, and sponsors on award management matters.

Closeout Responsibilities:

• Ensure timely submission of technical, financial, and administrative reports required for grant closeout.
• Verify that all expenses are appropriately recorded and that any cost transfers are completed.
• Work with relevant offices to confirm that all compliance obligations (e.g., invention disclosures, equipment reports) are met.
• Support the closeout of subawards and ensure final payments and documentation are submitted.
• Assist with audit requests and the retention of grant documentation per policy.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs other duties as required to meet organizational needs.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree preferred with 3-5 years’ experience in grant administration working on projects funded by grants or contracts from the federal, state or local government in a public or private sector environment. Certified Research Administrator (CRA) preferred but not required. Knowledge of policies and procedures regarding government (federal, state and local) grant and contract compliance and administration requirements, in particular, those in the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). Ability to implement training programs related to governmental research compliance. Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects while working as part of a team. Ability to keep abreast of the current regulatory environment governing the conduct of biomedical and behavioral research. Ability to respond quickly to a variety of request and needs maintaining a balance of focus such as ensuring institutional compliance and providing service to faculty researchers and professional staff. Computer literacy and experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Internet required.

MINUMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines and equipment, including a computer, telephone, copier, etc. Must be able to exert up to five pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Must be able to lift/carry weights of five to ten pounds.

Supplemental Information: To apply, please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three supervisory references including the most recent supervisor. Finalists for this position are subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

Organization

Johnson C. Smith University, a 155-year-old historically black liberal arts college dedicated to serving a diverse student body, is located in Charlotte, NC. The University has a rich history and is heralded as one of the best of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation, serving 1400 students in undergraduate, graduate, non-traditional and adult programs. Johnson C. Smith University continues to gain a strong national reputation for integrating the liberal arts with business, the sciences and technology. For more information, please visit http://www.jcsu.edu.

Johnson C. Smith University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability or veteran’s status as it relates to student enrollment or hiring. Johnson C. Smith University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master's degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Johnson C. Smith University.