Senior Manager, Sponsored Research

Overview

Who We Are

In cities across the country, people face high rates of gun violence, under-resourced schools,

and social harms associated with the criminal justice system -- all of which disproportionately

impact people of color. These inequalities have profound consequences on public safety and

opportunity. As a society we have failed to address these challenges, in part, because of our

lack of understanding of the most effective and cost-effective solutions that can have a real

impact on people’s lives. We believe that rigorous research can help.

The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab partner with cities and communities to

use data and rigorous research to design, test, and scale programs and policies that enhance

public safety, improve educational outcomes, and advance justice. Our mission is to combine

world-class data science and research, in partnership with government agencies, to

substantially improve the effectiveness of the public sector and achieve impact at scale.

To learn more about the Crime Lab and Education Lab, visit https://urbanlabs.uchicago.edu/labs/crime.

The Role

The Senior Manager, Sponsored Research supports the research enterprise at the Crime Lab

and Education Lab by providing leadership and stewardship for grants and sponsored research

support. This person works with a diverse team of Principal Investigators, Research Directors,

staff and partners involved in the review, approval, negotiation and administration of research

proposals, grants, contracts, and will also be responsible for developing and implementing

efficient and effective processes related to pre- and post-award grant administration. This

position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and works closely with the Sr. Manager, Budget

& Finance and the Sponsored Research & Finance Associate.

Duties and Responsibilities

Pre-award and grant acquisition:

• Conducts pre-award activities, including the preparation of all administrative aspects of

grant and contract applications in accordance with Institutional and Agency Guidelines.

Advises PIs and research staff, and leads the development of all aspects of the format,

preparation, and submission of grant applications to federal, industry, and foundation

sponsors. Serves as the project manager to gather all required pieces for a successful

grant submission, working directly with the PIs, Research Directors and other research

staff.

• Maintains a database of funding resources—both government and foundation—who

support criminal justice and policing work, their interest areas, contact information,

current grant opportunities with descriptions and timelines, past awards (if applicable),

etc.

• Supervises proposals submitted by the Grants and Finance Associate and provides

mentorship on pre-award grants management.

• In coordination with the fundraising committee, coordinates prospecting across

research team and with fundraising team. This would include meeting with research

teams to understand what funding opportunities they are considering applying to,

documenting and keeping records of these prospects in Salesforce, and creating

reports to discuss with fundraising committee.

Post-award grant management and compliance:

• Leads post award activities including account creation, regulatory and compliance

monitoring, grant projections, cost allocation methodology, cost center charges, cost

transfers, grant closing process and account closing. Prepares detailed expense budgets

based on awarded funds from the agency. Allocates, authorizes, monitors, and controls

expenses. Maintains accounts including oversight, reconciliation, error correction,

invoicing and account receivable balances. Understands regulations and guidelines

related to various awarding agencies. Prepares summaries of grants and effort

allocations for PIs and research teams and prepares rebudgets and no cost extension

requests. Ensures all required post award documents and reports are filed on a timely

basis.

• In coordination with the Sr. Budget & Finance Manager, develops, implements, and

maintains internal financial control systems to ensure compliance with relevant

sponsored research policies and with all IRS, legal, and regulatory requirements.

• Analyzes industry trends and stays current with agency and regulatory changes.

Monitors department compliance and relevant University and department policies and

procedures and recommends corrective action and process improvements as needed.

Develops and conducts pre- and post-award administration trainings for staff as

needed.

General grant administration and reporting:

• Serves as liaison between the Crime Lab and the Education Lab, UChicago’s Office of

Research Administration, external agencies, and other research organizations.

• Provides service and communications to PIs and research team members to ensure the

efficient and effective management of grant funding. Advises researchers about the

management of sponsored research funding and any new grant policies and changes.

• Develops and maintains effective reporting systems to monitor and report on external

funding of research conducted at the Crime Lab and Education Lab. Ensures accuracy of

proposal and award data in Salesforces and AURA for purposes of developing reports.

Prepares and delivers reports on funding priorities, trends, history, and anticipated

funding for presentations to the research teams and leadership as needed.

• In conjunction with the COO, develops and implements policies and procedures

sponsored research and compliance activities.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

• College or university degree in related field required

• Licensure: Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification (preferred)

Experience

• Knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related field

of sponsored research and compliance administration

• Experience submitting grant proposals to a variety of sponsors including federal

agencies, private foundations, and state/local governments

• Experience with budget planning and forecasting, ledgers, invoices, and fiscal reporting,

required

• Experience working in a higher education or non-profit environment, preferred

• Experience with financial and accounting systems such as Workday or Oracle/Peoplesoft

• Experience managing post-award activities, especially projects that are funded by

multiple sponsors

Competencies

• Must be able to deal effectively with a diverse workforce in a complex research

environment

• Must have exceptional analytical skills with high attention on technical and nontechnical

details

• Must have exceptional oral and written communication skills and be comfortable

with a consultative approach to interacting with employees

• Must have exceptional organization skills, with previous project management experience

• Must be a resourceful problem-solver and critical thinker, be proactive in leveraging

opportunities and anticipating and averting problems

• Must handle all employment information and issues with absolute discretion -

confidentiality is essential

• Must be proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel, advanced Excel skills preferred

To Apply:

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the

highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences,

groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement,

and exchange.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,

religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status

or status as an individual with disability.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity / Disabled / Veterans

Employer.

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and reference contact information to UChicago’s

Workday system. Within the Workday system, this listing can be found by the position title or

by the requisition number, JR11104.

If you have an active UChicago Workday account, you will need to complete the Internal

Candidate application process. Simply log in to Workday and select the career worklet to begin.

External candidates should apply at https://uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External.

If you have questions about the Workday system, please contact our Shared Services

department at https://services.uchicago.edu

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process may

contact the Shared Services Office by calling 773-702-5800 or by emailing

sharedservices@uchicago.edu with their request.