Sponsored Development Administrator

Sponsored Development Administrator

The job executes a range of activities to support the functional areas of University Research Administration. It supports research, training, and other sponsored activities at the University, building upon knowledge of the University, processes, and customers. It also assists in the development of research compliance education programs. The Sponsored Development Administrator is a mid-entry level Research Administrator, responsible for assisting with the oversight of day-to-day sponsored program activities for an assigned portfolio of faculty researchers for pre and post-award administration. This will primarily involve supporting the sponsored research funding portfolio of faculty members in the development of proposals and financial management. This is a full-time fixed term up to one-year appointment. At the conclusion of the one-year period of this appointment, there may be an opportunity to extend the appointment or for URA to hire the Sponsored Development Administrator into a full-time position, HOWEVER, neither is guaranteed and both would be subject to review and approval at the conclusion of the initial term of the appointment. The role reports directly to the Director, Pre-Award & Sponsored Development Services, with a dotted line to the Director, Sponsored Program Services.

Performs routine assignments in the mid-entry level of a Research Administrator to a progression of complex proposals and grants management portfolios. Develops competence by performing structured work assignments, following university and sponsor guidelines. Uses existing procedures to solve routine or standard problems. Receives instruction, guidance and direction from others but is expected that the Sponsored Programs Administrator will have the ability to work with minimal supervision and interact with faculty and administrators from different institutions and outside entities to make independent and informed decisions. This position also requires the ability to analyze, interpret, and implement financial data, sponsor guidelines, and University policies and procedures.

Responsibilities include :

• Working directly with the Principal Investigators (PIs) or their delegates to facilitate management of grant activities which involves oversight of pre and post-award activities.
• Assisting the PIs with preparing pre-proposals, proposals, budgets, required proposal documents, routing proposals via the AURA Grants system, submitting proposals, and preparing responses to Just-In-Time requests.
• Meeting established pre-award expectations and established account management expectations, identifying deviations and resolving problems for the pre and post-award stage of the project.
• Assisting Faculty in the preparation of grant proposals, including gathering and organizing necessary information from faculty across the University of Chicago, and other institutions, and coordinating any necessary meetings to discuss timelines and proposal requirements.
• Responsible for post-award activities associated with expenditure and budget reviews, audit of invoices and billings, monitoring accounts and preparing financial reports and projections for grants and other sponsored agreements, notifying PIs of availability of funds while assisting and advising faculty in financial and project activities by implementing fiscal reporting process.
• Preparing monthly, quarterly and / or yearly reports as necessary. Interacting with participants, external entities, sponsors, faculty, and other University of Chicago offices including departmental staff and central research administration staff to gather relevant information for the operation management of the sponsored project portfolio.
• Coordinating with faculty by organizing risk analysis sessions and conducting statistical analysis of data. Tracking project timelines, ensuring follow-up, and providing timely reports to PIs and sponsors with proactive support of award management.
• Supporting technical reporting as needed with maintaining compliance for Animal and Human Subjects protocols and regulatory policies by being aware of and advising others of policy and procedures, and by facilitating any tracking or training requirements.
• Communicating and collaborating with University departments / units, URA Pre-Award team and URA Post-Award, technology transfer and compliance teams / units to facilitate smooth transition throughout the full life cycle.
• Updating AURA as necessary when the applications / proposals are not funded, withdrawn or not routed.
• Prioritizing work in order to complete assignments on a timely basis.
• Aiding in training personnel who report to the PI on research administration operational policies and procedures as requested by the Director, Pre-Award & Sponsored Development Services or the Director, Sponsored Program Services.
• Gaining and maintaining thorough understanding of university and sponsor regulations.
• Reviewing Sponsor guidelines and escalating issues accordingly within the office of University Research Administration.
• The individual is a member of a team and must contribute to the team effort, as needed. This will involve assisting colleagues to ensure timely service to departments, units, and sponsors as needed and to perform back-up duties during vacation or sick leaves of other pre-award and post-award team staff.
• Providing faculty and administrators with application preparation, analyzing possible solutions to problems that arise using standard procedures. Reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating contract and grant terms to determine compliance and / or conflict with federal regulations and procedures.
• Maintaining correspondence between the agency and University community to obtain and process necessary pre- and post-award information. Reviewing and processing various pre- and post-award activities.
• Performing other related work as needed.

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field and 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Preferred qualifications include a bachelor's degree in business or liberal arts field, some experience working with sponsored research administration in an academic environment, proficiency in the use of University of Chicago systems, strong computer skills, and knowledge of the Uniform Guidance or interpretation of similar regulations.

Preferred competencies include independence, communication skills, service orientation, discretion and confidentiality, attention to detail and accuracy, organizational and multitasking skills, judgment and project management, adaptability and feedback reception.

Working conditions include sitting for 4 hours or more, using computers extensively for 4 hours or more, using standard office equipment and troubleshooting IT equipment in a remote / hybrid environment, and some evening and weekend work may be required.

Application documents required include a resume / CV and a cover letter. References contact information is preferred.

The job family is Financial Management, and the role impact is an individual contributor with 37.5 scheduled weekly hours. The pay rate type is salary, with a pay range of $58,000.00 - $84,000.00. The position is benefits eligible.

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.

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