Manager Post Award

Job Description

The Manager, Post Award Research Administration is accountable for the oversight and management of all post-award research administration activities for Connecticut Children's grants and sponsored programs. This role provides strategic leadership, policy development, and compliance oversight for post-award functions, including subrecipient monitoring, effort reporting, grant compliance and meeting sponsor requirements., The Manager develops staff, and ensures effective collaboration with Grant Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Payroll, and Information Systems.

Responsibilities

Leadership, Policy & Program Oversight-35%

• Maintain in-depth knowledge of federal and state regulations governing sponsored programs and research administration.
• Develop, implement, and update institutional post-award policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate compliance risks related to post-award grant administration.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives impacting post-award operations
• Develop, train, mentor, and supervise Post Award staff, ensuring consistent application of policies and procedures.
• Role model leadership and citizenship through active participation in organizational activities

Post-Award Grant Administration-25%

• Oversee post-award administration activities, including award setup, modifications, and close-out in Oracle.
• Partner with Pre-Award staff to ensure effective transition from proposal to award, including review of budgets, justifications, and sponsor requirements.
• Meet regularly with PI/PDs to review award portfolios, salary projections, compliance requirements, and grant status.
• Oversee submission of Contract Routing Forms and related documentation through Smartsheet workflows, including reviewing contracts, negotiating research administration concerns with Sponsor prior to legal review and legal negotiation, ability to interpret and apply regulations.
• Applying knowledge of government funding regulations, grant and contact policies and procedures, UG (2 CFR 200) and
• Federal Acquisition Regulations and sound knowledge of research administration
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of budget revisions, No-Cost Extensions, and Other Support requirements.

Compliance, Effort Reporting & Subrecipient Monitoring-25%

• Direct and oversee effort reporting processes and certifications to ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements.
• Manage labor allocation changes and cost transfers in collaboration with PI/PDs, Payroll, and Grant Accounting.
• Oversee, implement, and sustain subrecipient monitoring plans, reviews, and documentation.
• Conduct regular internal audits of post-award activities and provide corrective action guidance and training as needed.
• Provide faculty and post-award staff with complex budgetary and compliance consultation.

Systems & Process Optimization-10%

• Serve as a subject matter expert for grant management systems, including Oracle and related platforms.
• Lead or support system implementations, enhancements, and process improvements impacting post-award grant administration.
• Develop and maintain a Post Award operational handbook and supporting documentation.

Professional Development & External Engagement-5%

• Participate in professional organizations such as SRA and NCURA.
• Stay current on emerging trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in research administration.

Performs Other Duties as Assigned.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Required:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Healthcare, Business, or related field.
• Experience:
  • Eight (8) years of experience in research administration.
  • Two (2) years supervisor or manager experience.
  • In lieu of a bachelor's degree, ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience in post-award research and/or sponsored programs administration management with four (4) years of supervisor/manager experience.

Education and/or Experience Preferred:

• Education: Master's Degree Healthcare, Business, or related field
• Experience:
  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience in post-award grant management.
  • Experience with pre-award/proposal development
  • Supervision, proposal and award data management, research administration in a hospital setting state agencies and granting agency staff.
  • Previous involvement in NCURA and/or SRA.

License and/or Certification Required:

• Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI), within 6 months of hire date

License and/or Certification Preferred:

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Expert knowledge and understanding of sponsored program policies, processes, and regulatory requirements, including
• Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), NIH Policy Statement, and other federal regulations.
• Knowledge of external grant systems and platforms (e.g., Grants.gov, eRA Commons, HRSA).
• Understanding of institutional policies, internal controls, and compliance frameworks related to grants and contracts.
• Ability to stay current on regulatory, legislative, and funding agency changes impacting research administration.

Skills:

• Advanced leadership and people management skills, including coaching, performance management, and staff development and role modeling leadership behaviors
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and Smartsheet.
• Ability to analyze complex grant requirements and translate them into compliant operational practices.

Abilities:

• Ability to lead and manage complex post-award operations while ensuring high-quality deliverables.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in resolving complex compliance and operational issues.
• Ability to coach and develop staff and hold teams accountable for performance and compliance outcomes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

About Us

Connecticut Children's is the only health system in Connecticut that is 100% dedicated to children. Established on a legacy that spans more than 100 years, Connecticut Children's offers personalized medical care in more than 30 pediatric specialties across Connecticut and in two other states. Our transformational growth establishes us as a destination for specialized medicine and enables us to reach more children in locations that are closer to home. Our breakthrough research, superior education and training, innovative community partnerships, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion provide a welcoming and inspiring environment for our patients, families and team members.

At Connecticut Children's, treating children isn't just our job - it's our passion. As a leading children's health system experiencing steady growth, we're excited to expand our team with exceptional team members who share our vision of transforming children's health and well-being as one team.