Research Administrator II

Overview

The Research Administrator II will be responsible for providing independent guidance and oversight to research faculty and staff in regard to pre and post-award administration, grant and contract policies and procedures, and compliance and regulatory issues. Anticipates and evaluates the needs of principal investigators in pre and post-award functions and daily processes.  Develops solutions and recommendations to administrative situations, ensuring daily management of all administrative and financial functions.
 

1. Manage pre-award activities including but not limited to the completion of funding agency proposal documents, creation of detailed budgets to ensure the feasibility of programs to be funded, working closely with the principal investigator to gather and maintain all additional materials to be submitted in the proposal packet.
2. Manage the day-to-day award, contract and subcontract financial oversight and management, budgeting, tracking of monthly grant and contract expenditures, cost control and analysis, forecasting, and compliance monitoring.
3. Maintain invoice, financial reporting and subcontract schedules as necessary. Monitor and amend subcontract and consulting agreements as required. 
4. Compile and compose grant reports and presentations as appropriate, including annual progress report financials.
5. Generate, track, and monitor effort certifications in accordance with federal and institutional guidelines.
6. Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of invoicing and collection of subcontract payments.
7. Participate in the development, implementation and revision of grant program policies, procedures and regulations. Provide training and guidance in grant administration, finances, and compliance when required.
8. Review program expenses to ensure agency and institutional compliance during life of award and prior to cost center close-out and inactivation.
9. Analyze the flow of administrative and other assigned non-clinical work for the department and provide insight into efficiency improvements.
10. Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, including special projects.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

1. Bachelor’s Degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
2. Minimum 2 years of research administration experience at a hospital or university, and continues developing professional expertise.
3. Knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and institutional regulations, guidelines, and policies regarding grant and contract administration.
4. Working knowledge of post award accounting and financial reporting, and perform internal audits of grants and contracts to ensure compliance with institutional and funding agency requirements.
5. Able to use professional accounting concepts and principles, such as balance sheets, debits and credits, and apply company policies/procedures to work on issues of moderate scope where analysis of situations requires a review of a variety of factors.
6. Able to exercise judgment within assigned area of responsibility to determine appropriate action.
7. Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills necessary to interact on a daily basis with internal and external customers and ability to direct staff. Ability to read, analyze and interpret data in order to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of internal and external customers. Ability to write reports and general business correspondence.
8. Analytical ability needed to prepare complex financial, budget and other reports, and other pertinent documents and department records and attention to detail.
9. Advanced organizational skills necessary to efficiently prioritize and complete a variety of tasks and provide leadership.
10. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.