"Program Administrator, Research"

About Drexel University

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a world‐class, comprehensive, R1 research institution and a global leader in experiential education. For more than 100 years, our renowned Cooperative Education (co-op) program has enabled students to gain professional work experience before they graduate, setting them apart from their peers.

Committed to becoming the nation’s most civically engaged university, Drexel supports engagement along three dimensions: research and academic programs that directly benefit communities, business practices that support equitable local and regional economic development, and public service by students, faculty, and staff. Our engagement is long‐term, multigenerational, and fundamental to the University’s mission, heritage, and future.

At Drexel, we are devoted to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that promotes healthy lifestyles and is based on integrity, trust, and respect. We center equity, inclusion and belonging, and incorporate an anti‐racism approach to our strategic plan, organizational systems, policies and structures.

Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world‐class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award‐winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non‐certification programs. And as part of the tuition offering to employees, Drexel participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. These are just a sample of our extensive benefit offerings. Please see this Benefits Brochure for more information.

Job Summary

CCI's Program Administrator serves as direct support for grant/research efforts. This is a vital position, reporting to the Director of Finance & Administration to provide administrative, project and program support and management of the College’s research, grant and contract activities. This position will work closely with faculty and personnel across the University, especially coordination of efforts with personnel in the Office of Research Administration.

Essential Functions

• Manage all administrative aspects of the College’s research program.
• Provide pre-award and post-award grant support/management to individual faculty members.
• Serve as liaison between faculty and Office of Research as needed.
• Coordinate internal research grant proposal process and tracking.
• Coordinate with faculty in caseload so all deadlines are met.
• Drafting budgets and advising faculty on both sponsor and CCI-based cost principles, completing internal paperwork, obtaining signatures and submitting documentation in advance of the proposal deadline.
• Create and upload grant application materials in internal systems, Grants.gov, Fastlane, and other submission platforms.
• Complete budget preparation and analysis for research proposals, including budget revisions.
• Maintain grant files, submissions, and award tracking.
• Assist investigators and staff with updates to Drexel’s electronic proposal submission systems and processes such as linked funds.
• Post-Award related activities including but not limited to: Monitor all phases of award and closing (review invoices and receipts for deficiencies and deficits) to detect and address issues as they arise. Monitor funds to ensure all transactions are accurate and deficits avoided.
• Effectively communicate with Drexel and sponsor contacts throughout the award/closeout to ensure all administrative tasks are completed and issues addressed as needed.
• Work to rectify deficits on sponsored funds and address invoicing issues.
• Prepare, submit, and follow-up on all paperwork relative to budgetary procedures for extramural grants and some intramural funds (PAFs, transaction corrections, etc.).
• Work directly with investigators to develop spend plans for all grant funds to aid with fiscal year budget projections and quarterly hiring of PhD students.
• Coordinate research announcements and press releases with marketing team (Writer/Editor).
• Assist faculty, staff and PhD students with mandatory effort reporting.
• Track ongoing negotiations and ensure that work products are addressed by Drexel contacts.
• Coordinate with the Director of Finance on issues and procedures that intersect both Research and Finance, such as expenditure projections and reporting, purchasing, hiring of personnel, consulting agreements, and other financial administration items.
• Support the implementation of new processes and procedures within CCI and the university and the enhancement of tools within CCI and the university.
• Assist with preparation of research related data for faculty annual performance review, promotion and tenure, mid-tenure review.
• Other special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years or more of experience in administrative experience in supporting research and contract activities in academia or industry.
• Evidence of strong project management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential materials.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with faculty and staff to achieve desired results.
• Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal, organizational and analytic skills required.
• Leadership skills and the ability to work within a team.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office suite and related software, including database and presentation programs. Strong Excel skills required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.

Physical Demands

Typically sitting at a desk/table.

Location

University City - Philadelphia, PA.

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade K. Compensation for this grade ranges from $54,630.00 - $81,940.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant: Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application. A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.