Job Title
Manager, Research Project Administration
Agency
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Department
Autonomy Research Institute
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Corpus Christi, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
TAMU-CC is a dynamic university designated as both a
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution
(MSI) with approximately 11,000 students from 47 states and 54
foreign nations. We employ over 1,400 full-time and 2,000 part-time
Islanders (including students/GAs). The University attracts highly
talented faculty and staff and offers an array of undergraduate and
graduate degrees, including doctoral programs. As a member of the
Texas A&M University System, TAMU-CC benefits from a range of
resources, increased visibility and influence, and opportunities to
collaborate in mutually beneficial ways with peers across member
institutions and associated agencies.
TAMU-CC's beautiful campus is located on a 240-acre island on
Corpus Christi Bay and was ranked #1 College by the Sea by Best
College Reviews. Our natural setting is enhanced by its modern,
attractive, and state-of-the-art classroom buildings and support
facilities.
PURPOSE
The Manager, Research Project Administration manages and oversees
the administrative, financial, and compliance activities associated
with sponsored research projects in collaboration with Autonomy
Research Institute (ARI) Principal Investigators (PIs) and project
partners. Responsibilities include managing sponsored research
administration, overseeing financial monitoring and sponsor
reporting, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing sponsor
communications, advising and supporting PIs, and supervising
assigned sponsored project staff responsible for financial
monitoring, billing, and sponsor coordination.
The Manager, Research Project Administration, under the direction
of the Assistant Director, Finance (ADF) or designee, manages the
administrative, financial, and compliance activities associated
with sponsored research projects, grants, and contracts. This
position serves as ARI's subject matter expert for sponsored
research administration by ensuring compliance with sponsor
requirements, managing pre-award and post-award administrative
activities, advising and supporting PIs, supervising assigned
sponsored project staff, and overseeing research administration
processes throughout the project lifecycle.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Sponsored Research Administration: 50%
- Leads sponsored research administration activities, including
monitoring expenditures, validating financial transactions, and
documenting costs in accordance with approved budgets and sponsor
requirements.
Administers pre-award and post-award sponsored project
administration activities to ensure efficient operations and full
compliance with Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), state, and
sponsor fiscal policies.
Oversees sponsor financial and administrative reports,
supporting documentation, and analyses for stakeholders, including
PIs, internal departments, sponsors, and auditors.
Ensures compliance with cost-sharing commitments and
sponsor-specific requirements.
Directs sponsored project closeout activities, ensuring all
financial, administrative, and compliance requirements are
completed accurately and on time.
Oversees time and effort reporting and certification to ensure
regulatory compliance and audit readiness.
Compliance & Audits: 30%
- Ensures organizational compliance with sponsor, institutional,
and regulatory financial requirements governing sponsored
programs.
- Serves as ARI's subject matter expert and primary resource for
sponsored research regulations and sponsor requirements.
- Interprets sponsor guidelines, advises PIs and project teams
regarding compliance requirements, and oversees related
administrative actions.
- Leads audit preparation and response activities, including
coordinating documentation, addressing findings, and implementing
corrective actions.
- Develops and updates procedures related to sponsored project
administration in consultation with the ADF and appropriate
university offices.
- Manages administrative communications with sponsors and serves
as the primary liaison to obtain approvals for budget revisions,
compliance actions, key personnel changes, no-cost extensions, and
supplemental funding requests.
- Reviews and interprets award terms and conditions and oversees
the administrative actions necessary to ensure compliance with
sponsor, institutional, and regulatory requirements.
- Advises ARI leadership on sponsor regulations, research
administration best practices, compliance risks, and changes to
federal or sponsor requirements affecting sponsored projects.
- Facilitates institutional approvals and sponsor prior approval
requests in accordance with Texas A&M University - Corpus
Christi (TAMU-CC) and sponsor requirements.
- Oversees the maintenance of documentation required for sponsor
monitoring, audits, and regulatory reviews.
- Ensures the accuracy, completeness, and retention of research
administration records and documentation throughout the sponsored
project lifecycle.
- Identifies, recommends, and implements approved process
improvements to enhance efficiency, compliance, and service to
PIs.
Program Support: 20%
- Collaborates with PIs and project partners and manages the
alignment of financial and administrative activities with project
goals and sponsor requirements.
- Ensures accurate and timely entry and maintenance of project
data within TAMU-CC and TAMUS systems.
- Establishes and maintains sponsored project records and
University research administration systems to ensure data accuracy,
document integrity, and regulatory compliance.
- Administers award setup, modifications, closeout activities,
and administrative documentation throughout the sponsored project
lifecycle.
- Manages sponsor reporting deadlines, administrative milestones,
and required deliverables to ensure timely submission of reports
and documentation.
- Leads the preparation and review of interim, monthly, annual,
and ad hoc research administration and financial reports for PIs
and ARI Executive Leadership.
- Advises and supports PIs throughout the sponsored project
lifecycle by providing guidance on sponsor requirements, research
administration processes, and university procedures.
- Oversees and provides administrative guidance to personnel and
PIs regarding proposal preparation, proposal routing, award setup,
and grant administration activities throughout the sponsored
project lifecycle.
- Manages sponsor communications related to administrative and
compliance matters.
- Interprets sponsor financial requirements and advises PIs and
project staff regarding allowable expenditures and required
approvals.
- May supervise administrative and/or financial staff and oversee
day-to-day operations as needed.
- Collaborates with the Project Manager III and other Finance
personnel on matters that involve sponsored research
administration, project management, and financial operations.
- Performs additional managerial, research administration, and
special project duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public
Administration, Accounting, Finance, Research Administration, or a
related field.
- Five (5) years of experience in sponsored research
administration, grants management, research compliance, post-award
administration, or a closely related field
- Additional education may be used as a substitution for the
minimum experience requirement:
- Master's degree in Public Administration, Accounting, Finance,
Research Administration, or related field, and three (3) years of
experience in sponsored research administration, grants management,
research compliance, post-award administration, or a closely
related field; OR
- Doctoral degree in Public Administration, Accounting, Finance,
Research Administration, or related field, and one (1) year of
experience in sponsored research administration, grants management,
research compliance, post-award administration, or a closely
related field
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Experience leading teams and managing relationships with PIs,
sponsors, project partners, and institutional stakeholders
- Experience coordinating sponsored research administration
activities throughout the project lifecycle
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database
software (e.g., Smartsheet, Laserfiche, etc.)
- High level of articulation and professionalism
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Critical thinking and proactive problem solving
- Ability to take initiative and identify opportunities for
improvement
- Ability to either work in a team environment or independently
with minimal guidance
- Ability to manage and prioritize tasks, resources, and time
effectively
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Business Administration
- Ten (10) years or more of experience in sponsored research
administration, grants management, research compliance, post-award
administration, or a closely related field
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification or the
ability to obtain certification
- Project Management Institute (PMI) Certification
- Knowledge of grants.gov and other federal, state, and
foundation grant access points and submission portals
- Ability to train and advise faculty, staff, and students on
project administration
- Experience working in higher education, higher education
grants, and/or higher education research administration
- Experience administering federally funded research awards
- Familiarity with aviation, autonomous systems, unmanned
aircraft systems (UAS), advanced air mobility (AAM), or related
technology sectors.
SALARY: $6,833.34 - $7,187.25 Monthly ($82,000.00 - $86,247.00
Annual, Approximately)
NOTE:
- All ARI employees may utilize university vehicles for official
business travel, including travel to the main campus, local
meetings, events, training, and travel within Texas. Employees who
operate university vehicles must possess and maintain a valid
driver's license.
- Employment may be impacted by the Presidential proclamation
issued on September 19, 2025 and the moratorium issued by Texas
Governor Abbott on January 27, 2026.
BENEFITS (rules, policies, eligibility apply)
From our generous benefits package
and professional development opportunities, to our retirement
programs and our commitment to service excellence, the Island
University is an engaging and rewarding place to work.
INSURANCE:
- Medical
- $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university
contribution ($920 value).
- Up to 83% of premium covered by the university:
- Employee and Spouse
- Employee and Children
- Employee and Family coverage
- Dental & Vision
- Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability,
Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account
DUAL CAREER PARTNER
PROGRAM
ON-CAMPUS WELLNESS
OPPORTUNITIES
Work Life
Solutions:
- Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and
Legal Resources
Tuition
Benefits:
- Public Loan Forgiveness
- Book scholarships
- 100% tuition coverage for up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year
(other rules may apply).
Retirement:
- Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement
Plan (ORP)
- Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan
Time
Off:
- 8+ hours of vacation paid time off every month.
- 8 hours of sick leave time off every month.
- 8 hours of paid time off for Birthday leave.
- 12-15 paid holidays each year.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a
criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon
the institution's verification of credentials and/or other
information required by the institution's procedures, including the
completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
To apply, visit https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/TAMUCC_External/job/Corpus-Christi-TX/Manager--Research-Project-Administration_R-096548-1
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