Contracts & Grants Coordinator

Overview

Special Instructions to Applicant
Resume' and cover letter are required to be considered for this position.

Job Summary 
Team supervisor who facilitates proposal development, negotiates agreements, and recommends acceptance of awards, while ensuring compliance with university and sponsor policy.  The Coordinator prepares and negotiates subaward agreements and supervises the same in areas of his/her responsibility; ensures proper award management, assisting and advising on terms and conditions of funded projects and initiating and managing non-financial award actions.  The Coordinator provides quality and timely service and engages with internal and external constituents (i.e., faculty, staff, deans, sponsors, subawardees) to communicate issues and resolve problems.   Provides internal signature and approval for proposals within defined parameters.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities  

1. Prepares and submits proposals for external funding, and supervises the same in assigned areas, including budgeting and form preparation and review, using electronic systems or paper process as required. Interprets sponsor guidelines ranging from simple to highly complex and provides advice and guidance to assure compliance.  Prior to submission of proposals, ensures internal review and approval as well as compliance with sponsor guidelines and regulations, including but not limited to sponsor deadlines. Internally approves submission on behalf of ORA and USM within defined parameters.
2. Manages and negotiates agreements for external funding, in coordination with the Principal Investigator, University Counsel, Office of Technology Development, and others to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, university policies, and best interests of faculty, staff, and the University.  Recommends acceptance of awards and prepares documents for signature by the Vice President for Research or other appropriate University signatory. 
3. Prepares and manages subaward agreements with collaborating institutions where the University is the lead contractor.  Negotiates terms to ensure compliance with the contract as specified by the sponsor and University subaward procedures, including but not limited to an assessment of risk.  
4. Assists and advises Principal Investigators and departmental staff in conforming to terms and conditions of awarded funds. Initiates and manages non-financial award actions as required and in accordance with university policy and sponsor regulations (e.g., supplemental funding, deobligation of funding, extensions of project period, withdrawal of proposals, items requiring sponsor prior approval, modification of subaward agreements)
5. Provides quality and timely service to internal and external constituents and resolves problems or concerns related to external funding. Supervises daily work, training, and ongoing professional development of the Contracts and Grants Administrator.
6. Stays abreast of emerging issues within research administration and communicates applicable policies, procedures and regulations to constituents.  Assists ORA senior leadership with special projects including but not limited to testing and evaluation of computer software or systems, procedural changes, etc.
7. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with two years previous experience in research administration
 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively (oral and written) with people from a wide variety of educational and occupational backgrounds
• Ability to meet deadlines while performing multiple tasks simultaneously
• Attention to accuracy and detail
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, and to understand, convey and advise on complex regulations, policies and procedures
• Ability to provide quality and timely service to constituents
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools such as Word and Excel
• Travel is sometimes required, both day trips and overnight trips

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a university setting, including supervision of staff.

Supervisory Responsibilities
Contracts and Grants Administrator (2)

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others.  USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 36 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 24 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.