Grants Manager/Administrator

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The NC Collaboratory disseminates the policy and research expertise of the University for practical use by state and local government. A collaboratory is a center without walls in which researchers can perform their research without regard to physical location, interacting with colleagues, accessing instrumentation, sharing data and computational resources and accessing information in digital libraries in a collaborative manner.

The Grants Manager/Administrator provides financial oversight and support for recipients of NC Collaboratory research grant awards at institutions of higher education, both public and private, across North Carolina.

Responsibilities include the financial management of awards, including non-reverting State funds, throughout the pre-award and post-award phases. Pre-award duties include collaborating with Research Directors in the physical and social sciences to review and finalize funding applications and working with applicants to ensure fiscal compliance with State requirements and completion of required materials, such as scopes of work, budgets, budget justifications, recipient institution details, and subcontractor documentation. Post-award duties include independently reviewing and analyzing financial reports; reconciling and reporting on awards and programs; conducting random desk reviews and audits; providing spending projections; and serving as a liaison with award recipients, finance and budget offices, and research administrators.

The position examines budgets and expenditures to ensure compliance with applicable State and federal laws, policies, and guidelines and provides consultation, technical assistance, and coordination in the preparation and execution of initial, continuation, operating, and expansion budgets through both pre-award and post-award processes that may involve multiple funding sources. The role develops or evaluates methodologies used to prepare proposal budgets and spending forecasts and provides guidance to improve projection accuracy. The position evaluates program, policy, and regulatory changes to assess fiscal and programmatic impact; coordinates required State, federal, and agency reports; reviews contract recommendations for compliance; and identifies financial or compliance risks, presenting findings and recommending corrective actions. The position also oversees final grant close out requirements for research grants, including financial and accounting documentation and required final reports on research outcomes and milestones and developments.

Other duties include supporting both internal and external audits, contributing to State required reports, and reviewing funding agreement terms to ensure consistency with required guidelines. The Grants Manager/Administrator identifies risks and issues in award activities, communicates them to management, and recommends solutions to effectively support program and award goals. The Grants Manager/Administrator also supports the department's Executive Director and Leadership team by producing monthly grant funding reports, as well as additional reports and presentations as needed, to quantify and communicate the broad impact of the Collaboratory's mission to academic leaders at UNC Chapel Hill and other funded campuses, members of Boards of Trustees, the Board of Governors, UNC System leadership staff, and Members of the North Carolina General Assembly.

Entry-level with Master's; or Bachelor's and 0-2 years experience.

Knowledge of and experience with pre-award and post-award financial management, including oversight of non-reverting State funds. Extensive experience with payroll calculations and forecasting.

Comprehensive knowledge of interpreting and applying regulations and guidelines from state budget authorities, including those issued by the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (NC OSBM), the UNC System, UNC Chapel Hill, and other State entities.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.), with a specialization in creating spreadsheets and developing complex formulas in Excel.

Strong communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships with stakeholders.

Excellent organizational, time management, prioritization, and analytical skills. Ability to ensure efficient workflow and task completion. Ability to perform work with a high degree of autonomy, accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness.

Experience with financial management of either sponsored research (pre- and post-award) or State funds. Experience with financial and pre/post-award management workflow tools.

Previous experience with UNC-Chapel Hill business systems, including CAYUSE, RAMSeS, ConnectCarolina, and InfoPorte.

Experience with funding sources such as federal, trust, Facilities and Administrative (F&A), and other fund types.

Experience with managing funds and awards for multiple principal investigators across various units, shadow accounting, and electronic personnel salary source management. Demonstrated ability to manage or provide work direction to peers and clients/customers.

Experience in reviewing preliminary budget proposals, forecast projections, and budget reallocation requests.

Ability to communicate effectively to senior level stakeholders. Experience providing guidance and work direction to peers and clients/customers.

Possession of a Certified Research Administrator ( CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator ( CFRA), and/or Certified Pre Award Research Administrator ( CPRA) credential.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.