Senior Grants and Contracts Manager

Overview

The organization’s Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) supports the research mission by providing expertise and leadership in obtaining and managing research funds. SPA serves as the institutional representative for sponsored projects for the school and works with faculty to review and submit proposals and ensure proposals and awards are compliant with sponsor requirements and university policies.

This role, focused on post-award administration with some pre-award responsibilities, is integral to the research enterprise. The Senior Grants and Contracts Manager provides guidance and oversight for a portfolio of grants, contracts, and sponsored programs from award receipt through closeout, supporting compliance across a range of sponsors.

Responsibilities

Post-award responsibilities (primary)

• Create budget reconciliation and forecasting reports
• Meet regularly with faculty to review financial situations
• Review and approve all expenditures
• Ensure compliance with requirements such as effort reporting
• Submit payroll changes for faculty and staff
• Complete timely journal entries as necessary, including grant close-outs
• Other duties as assigned

Pre-award responsibilities (required as needed)

• Support grant preparation and budget development
• Assist with application form submission
• Respond to sponsor requests
• Work directly with Principal Investigators and interface with central administrative offices to ensure applications meet all university, school, and sponsor requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience
• 3+ years of pre- and post-award management experience (both federal and non-federal), required
• A combination of education and experience may be considered

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
• Experience working with investigators on the management of complex research awards and with a variety of sponsors
• Intermediate Excel skills
• Attention to detail; strong written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced working knowledge of research compliance issues and key federal grant regulations
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Understanding of human subject use, animal use, and other research compliance areas
• Problem-solving skills and ability to be flexible

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary grade: 056 (salary range available via the organization’s salary range information)
• Benefits include:
  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Support for families and caregivers
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks

Location / Work Format

• Work format: Fully Remote
• Standard hours/schedule: 35 hours per week
• Fully remote employees must work all scheduled hours in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts
• At the discretion of the department, fully remote employees may occasionally be required on site at a Harvard location
• Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location
• Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment

Additional Information

• Visa sponsorship: The organization is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-employment screening: Identity
• Orientation/review period: 90 days (the O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers)
• Health and safety: Employees are strongly encouraged to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines

Employment & Status

• Department: Sponsored Programs Administration
• Work setting: Fully Remote
• Job function: Finance
• Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers
• FLSA status: Non-exempt