Grants Manager/Administrator

Position Summary 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 to review and finalize funding applications, working with applicants to ensure fiscal compliance, and completing required documentation 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; 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, provides guidance to improve projection accuracy, evaluates program, policy and regulatory changes to assess fiscal and programmatic impact, coordinates required State, federal and agency reports, reviews contract recommendations for compliance, identifies financial or compliance risks, presents findings and recommends 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. Other duties include supporting internal and external audits, contributing to State required reports and reviewing funding agreement terms to ensure consistency with guidelines. The Grants Manager/Administrator identifies risks and issues in award activities, communicates them to management, recommends solutions and supports the department’s Executive Director and Leadership team by producing monthly grant funding reports and additional reports and presentations as needed. Responsibilities Financial management of NC Collaboratory research grant awards, including non-reverting State funds, throughout pre-award and post-award phases. Collaborate with Research Directors to review and finalize funding applications for pre-award compliance. Work with applicants to ensure fiscal compliance, complete required documentation (scopes of work, budgets, budget justifications, recipient details, subcontractor docs). Review and analyze financial reports in post-award stage, reconcile and report on awards and programs. Conduct random desk reviews and audits; provide spending projections. Liaise with award recipients, finance and budget offices, research administrators. Examine budgets and expenditures to ensure compliance with State and federal laws, policies and guidelines. Consult, provide technical assistance and coordinate preparation and execution of initial, continuation, operating and expansion budgets across multiple funding sources. Develop or evaluate methodologies for proposal budgets and spending forecasts; guide improvement of projection accuracy. Evaluate program, policy and regulatory changes; coordinate required State, federal and agency reports; review contract recommendations; identify financial or compliance risks; present findings and recommend corrective actions. Oversee final grant close-out requirements, including financial and accounting documentation and final reports on research outcomes. Support internal and external audits; contribute to State required reports; review funding agreement terms for guideline consistency. Identify risks and issues in award activities, communicate to management, recommend solutions. Produce monthly grant funding reports and additional reports and presentations to support leadership communication. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements Entry‑level with Master’s; or Bachelor’s and 0‑2 years experience. Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience Knowledge 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 (NC OSBM, UNC System, UNC Chapel Hill, and other State entities). Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel, with ability to create complex spreadsheets and formulas. 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 with high autonomy, accuracy, efficiency and timeliness. Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience Experience with financial management of 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 (CAYUSE, RAMSeS, ConnectCarolina, InfoPorte). Experience with funding sources such as federal, trust, Facilities and Administrative (F&A) and other fund types. Experience 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 reviewing preliminary budget proposals, forecast projections and budget reallocation requests. Ability to communicate effectively to senior-level stakeholders and provide 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. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill