"Research Administrator Lead / Senior"

Join our team and experience being an integral part of new and exciting aerospace research. As a Lead Research Administrator, you will carry out a wide range of financial and research administration duties. You will maintain your own complex pre-and post-award portfolio while also assisting the Research Administration Manager with training other research administrators as well as identifying, participating, and leading process improvement opportunities.

The Lead Research Administrator is responsible for coordinating the administrative research process for proposal submissions (pre award) and the detailed financial management of sponsored funds (post award). This position provides in-depth financial analysis and recommendations of pre and post award activities for an assigned set of Aerospace faculty members. This position will lead and participate in continuous process improvement efforts and will support other team members as needed.

Pre award activities include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting Aerospace faculty in development, preparation and submission of grant and contract proposals.
• Preparation of complex budgets, budget justifications, and other supporting documentation to meet sponsor and University requirements.
• Reading, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with all applicable sponsor and University proposal requirements and deadlines.

Post award activities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing comprehensive financial management and ethical stewardship of UM and sponsor funds, reviewing, and monitoring financial transactions for appropriateness and allowability.
• Meeting regularly with assigned faculty to discuss project planning, and personnel effort including in-depth financial analysis with projections.
• Working closely with faculty, human resources, and student services to ensure staff and student appointments are timely.
• Interpreting University, federal, and other sponsor policies; advising faculty and leadership on their implications; and recommending various possible courses of action.
• Partnering with College and central office staff to research, analyze and resolve sponsor, financial, HR and payroll issues, alerting leadership of any areas of concern.

Other duties as assigned include, but not limited to:

• Assisting with training of other research administrators.
• Providing back-up support for the research administration team.
• Actively identifying, participating, and leading process improvement activities.

Lead: Bachelor's degree with seven (7) or more years of progressive grant, finance and contract experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Senior: Bachelor's degree with five (5) or more years of progressive grant, finance and contract experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated excellent critical thinking, attention to detail, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to respectfully work with others. High level of proficiency, speed and accuracy with Excel and the ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing technology. Knowledge and application of project management best practices (this includes deadline management, attention to detail, prioritization).

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. Senior level salary range is anticipated to be $82,000-$92,000. Lead level salary range is anticipated to be $93,000-$104,000.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.