"Research Administrator"

Position Purpose

To provide financial analysis and oversight for department operating and project budgets. Applies an understanding of the principles and practices of financial and grants management to provide guidance in the accomplishment of financial and administrative activities.

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors plus 1-2 year(s) of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience required to manage projects.
• Excellent accounting, management, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as a member of a team.
• Willingness and ability to exercise judgment and initiative and to interact with faculty, personnel, and outside agencies.
• Flexibility and openness to change.
• Ability to plan work, set priorities, and respond to pressures, deadlines, and changes in schedules and priorities.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to maintain and foster confidentiality and security of sensitive information.
• Proficiency in database management, spreadsheets, and other computer software.
• Shows a positive attitude and a drive to grow.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two plus years of experience in not-for-profit accounting or grants management in an educational or research setting.
• Experience with sponsored research applications, including NIH, PCORI, and various foundations.
• Familiarity with Dartmouth College accounting systems and procedures.

Key Accountabilities

Financial Planning and Analysis

With limited guidance, develops, justifies and administers budgets for grants, reserves and operating budgets. Anticipates fluctuations in funding and makes financial recommendations to investigators with minimal direction. Monitors expenses and revenues for accounts, identifying, researching and correcting errors on a timely basis to ensure costs are properly allocated. Collaborates with Office of Sponsored Projects, Geisel School of Medicine, and Dartmouth Health to ensure compliance with the College and granting agency policies. In consultation with the principal investigator, develops and sets up budgets for subcontracts; reviews sub-contractor submissions to ensure costs are realistic; directs changes where required. Interprets College and sponsor policies to faculty and staff on issues such as allowable costs, charging mechanisms, capital equipment purchases, and use of consultants. Provides principal investigators with regular budget status reports summarizing expenditures to-date and projected expenditures to end of budget period; advises on potential budgetary problems. Provides input into the creation and modification of departmental fiscal policies and procedures. (50%)

Accounting

Coordinates the processing of procurement as it relates to the operating and grant portfolio. Participates in year-end closing process. Prepares payables, deposits, wage transfers, and journal transfers. Reconciles monthly reports and resolves discrepancies. (10%)

Grant Administration

Assists faculty, post docs, students, and senior staff in preparing proposals to funding sources including development of moderately complex budgets for proposal submission and ensuring completion of all sponsor and College administrative requirements. In consultation with Principal Investigator, translates research plans into scope of work; identifies areas (e.g., laboratory costs, manpower, equipment, supplies, communications, transportation, administrative etc.) in which costs will be incurred, develops estimates of such costs, and budgets accordingly. In conjunction with Office of Sponsored Projects, assists faculty with electronic proposal submissions and other electronic research-related processes. Develops responses to issues associated with administration of research activities. Interacts with representatives of Dartmouth College, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth Health, other academic institutions, and private foundations to provide information requested, seek clarification of requirements, and collaborate on issues of mutual interest. (25%)

Payroll Management

Develops and maintains personnel FTE distributions based on grant and department budgets. Monitors payroll funding levels; anticipates, identifies potential payroll shortfalls; communicates and advises investigators and department on shortfalls and initiates changes as necessary. (10%)

General Administration

Ensures compliance with College, and granting agency fiscal and sponsored research polices and advises research team with respect to these policies. Serves as a resource to investigators and staff on regulatory, compliance, and sponsor requirements. Interacts with representatives from the Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Health, and grant sponsors to provide information requested, seek clarification of requirements, and collaborate on issues of mutual interest. (5%)