Position Summary/Description

The Grants Manager/Administrator provides financial oversight and support for recipients of NC Collaboratory research grant awards at institutions of higher education, both public and private, across North Carolina.

Responsibilities include the financial management of awards, including non-reverting State funds, throughout the pre-award and post-award phases. Pre-award duties include collaborating with Research Directors in the physical and social sciences to review and finalize funding applications and working with applicants to ensure fiscal compliance with State requirements and completion of required materials, such as scopes of work, budgets, budget justifications, recipient institution details, and subcontractor documentation. Post-award duties include independently reviewing and analyzing financial reports; reconciling and reporting on awards and programs; conducting random desk reviews and audits; providing spending projections; and serving as a liaison with award recipients, finance and budget offices, and research administrators.

The position examines budgets and expenditures to ensure compliance with applicable State and federal laws, policies, and guidelines and provides consultation, technical assistance, and coordination in the preparation and execution of initial, continuation, operating, and expansion budgets through both pre-award and post-award processes that may involve multiple funding sources. The role develops or evaluates methodologies used to prepare proposal budgets and spending forecasts and provides guidance to improve projection accuracy. The position evaluates program, policy, and regulatory changes to assess fiscal and programmatic impact; coordinates required State, federal, and agency reports; reviews contract recommendations for compliance; and identifies financial or compliance risks, presenting findings and recommending corrective actions. The position also oversees final grant close out requirements for research grants, including financial and accounting documentation and required final reports on research outcomes and milestones and developments.

Other duties include supporting both internal and external audits, contributing to State required reports, and reviewing funding agreement terms to ensure consistency with required guidelines. The Grants Manager/Administrator identifies risks and issues in award activities, communicates them to management, and recommends solutions to effectively support program and award goals. The Grants Manager/Administrator also supports the department's Executive Director and Leadership team by producing monthly grant funding reports, as well as additional reports and presentations as needed, to quantify and communicate the broad impact of the Collaboratory's mission to academic leaders at UNC Chapel Hill and other funded campuses, members of Boards of Trustees, the Board of Governors, UNC System leadership staff, and Members of the North Carolina General Assembly.

Education and Experience

Experience with financial management of either sponsored research (pre- and post-award) or State funds. Experience with financial and pre/post-award management workflow tools.

Previous experience with UNC-Chapel Hill business systems, including CAYUSE, RAMSeS, ConnectCarolina, and InfoPorte.

Experience with funding sources such as federal, trust, Facilities and Administrative (F&A), and other fund types.

Experience with managing funds and awards for multiple principal investigators across various units, shadow accounting, and electronic personnel salary source management. Demonstrated ability to manage or provide work direction to peers and clients/customers.

Experience in reviewing preliminary budget proposals, forecast projections, and budget reallocation requests.

Ability to communicate effectively to senior level stakeholders. Experience providing guidance and work direction to peers and clients/customers.

Possession of a Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), and/or Certified Pre Award Research Administrator (CPRA) credential.

Essential Skills

Knowledge of and experience with pre-award and post-award financial management, including oversight of non-reverting State funds. Extensive experience with payroll calculations and forecasting.

Comprehensive knowledge of interpreting and applying regulations and guidelines from state budget authorities, including those issued by the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (NC OSBM), the UNC System, UNC Chapel Hill, and other State entities.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.), with a specialization in creating spreadsheets and developing complex formulas in Excel.

Strong communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships with stakeholders.

Excellent organizational, time management, prioritization, and analytical skills. Ability to ensure efficient workflow and task completion. Ability to perform work with a high degree of autonomy, accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness.

AA/EEO Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.