Senior Grants Manager - Penn Engineering Financial Services - Research Services Post Award

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Directors, Post-Award, the Senior Grants Manager will oversee research administration for a core research portfolio in Penn Engineering, including an annual budget of $10M in grants, gifts, and contracts. Provide expert-level review of SEAS research funding on a monthly basis and deliver comprehensive financial and operational oversight. Responsibilities include supporting the annual sponsored project budget process; monitoring, managing, projecting, and reporting expenses throughout the year; and proactively resolving complex financial issues as they arise.

The Senior Grants Manager will serve as a trusted partner to faculty and fellows in managing the financial aspects of their research portfolios. This includes providing strategic guidance on funding issues and leading the administration of the most complex awards, such as NIH training grants, Center grants, U-series awards, and large program project grants with multiple subcontracts.

Core responsibilities include:

• Ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines, OMB Uniform Guidance, and institutional policies.
• Maintaining and reviewing salary grids to ensure accurate compensation for faculty and staff.
• Reviewing and pre-certifying effort reports for faculty and staff.
• Providing administrative oversight for procurement, reimbursements, and related transactions.

Additional duties may include supporting business services (computing, facilities, recruitment); coordinating with U.S. and global collaborators; and overseeing submissions for material transfers, IRB, and IACUC.

At the senior level, the Grant Manager is expected to demonstrate deep subject-matter expertise, anticipate and resolve funding challenges, and act as the primary resource for complex grants administration within SEAS. The Senior Grant Manager will also serve as a resource and mentor to junior administrators by sharing best practices and providing guidance on difficult cases.

Job Responsibilities

• Independently manage all post-award activities, including account setup, expenditure monitoring, and long-range projections. Subject matter expert for NIH Program Project Grants, Training Grants, and other Center grants including reporting via RPPR and FRRP systems.
• Maintain and review salary grids to ensure accurate compensation for faculty and staff.
• Review and pre-certify effort reports for assigned faculty and staff. Manage ERS system assignments for team.
• Identify, advise directors and execute process changes to promote efficiency within the Post-Award service area. Support and enable initiatives for process improvement.
• Provide administrative oversight for procurement, reimbursements, and related transactions.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science and 5 to 7 years of post award experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience with NIH Program Project Grants, Training Grants, and other Center grants including reporting via RPPR and FRRP systems preferred. Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pay Range

$91,000.00 - $105,000.00 Annual Rate