University of Massachusetts – Amherst Looking for Research Administrator (Hybrid/Remote Opportunity) Full Time

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth’s flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public
research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in
the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban
centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and
Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Research
Administrator is responsible for the full life cycle of quality research administration ranging from proposal development to post award
administration, award close-out, and award compliance for a group of Principal Investigators in the College of Information and Computer
Sciences.

Essential Functions

Pre-award:

• Manage the development and
  internal approval of research and special project proposals and contracts for submission to federal, state and private funding sources. 
  Provide expert advice on agency, institutional and government proposal compliance to university faculty and Principal Investigators as
  assigned.
• Manage the planning and development of grant or contract supported projects and programs.  Provide critical analysis and
  guidance in the review and interpretation of opportunity announcement documents.  Develop budgets and budget narratives sufficient to
  support project or program activities and consistent with applicable requirements. Draft, write and/or edit proposal documents.  Review
  final proposals and ensure commitments (both fiscal and technical) and accountability are in accordance with university and sponsor
  policies, procedures, and regulations.  Work cooperatively with supervisors, UMass Office of Pre-award Services (OPAS) personnel, various
  university staff and faculty, and funding agencies.  Prepare and submit timely routing documentation for internal proposal submission
  approvals. 
• Provide professional consultation, management, and staff leadership to ensure that faculty investigators have:
  assistance in the proposal and budget development process for research proposals and progress reports to improve success rates, encourage
  multi-disciplinary submissions and project development; assistance with system-to-system proposal development and routing requirements; an
  effective team to package complete, accurate, and competitive proposals; assistance with obtaining all compliance approvals by the
  appropriate university regulatory committees (e.g. Institutional Review Board, institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Conflict of
  Interest).

Post Award:

• Manage, advise, reconcile, analyze, close-out and report on spending and
  budget activity for a number of fund types, including research grants and contracts, gift, general operating, faculty start-up and program
  income accounts.  Prepare forecasts and make recommendations on staffing and spending changes to keep projects on track.  Advise faculty,
  researches and students on purchasing and travel policies; process and monitor project expenditures and coordinate payments.  Meet with
  faculty and review travel, deadlines, new funding sources, etc. and adjust staffing plan as necessary. Manage PI effort commitments and
  assist with annual effort certification.  Participate in contract closeout process; compile information for final reports and
  certificates.

General

• Interpret and apply principles, rules, regulations, policies, precedents
  or other guidelines specific to the assigned research project(s) and its sponsor to resolve problems, answer questions and provide
  information and advice.
• Act as the primary liaison between Principal Investigator and the Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS) for
  all pre-award/ proposal matters, the Office of Post-Award Management (OPAM) and the Controller’s Office for all post-award matters. Be
  proactive and reactive to problems/concerns and find appropriate and timely solutions.
• Assist OPAS, OPAM and the Controller’s
  Office with compliance with federal and private cost and administrative principles (Uniform Guidance, etc.) and prepare and present
  responses to audit findings.

Other Functions

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Associate’s degree with six (6) years of professional experience with sponsored programs or grant management in an academic or
  equivalent setting.  A Bachelor’s degree may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience. 
• Demonstrated pre- and
  post-award financial management experience, including proposal development and post-award management.
• Familiarity and experience
  with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements. 
• Knowledge of program
  administration guidelines for both federal and non-federal funding agencies.
• Ability to understand and apply university policies
  and procedures, as well as the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, sub-awards and
  subcontracts.
• Ability to work independently within the college, and to work as a team member with the OPAS, OPAM and other central
  administrative units of the University.
• Ability to plan ahead, prioritize, and work under pressure in a deadline-oriented
  environment in which workload ebbs and flows and can require the management of multiple submissions across multiple PIs in a short span of
  time with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and to prepare summary reports as required.
• Ability
  to analyze complex situations, identify workable solutions, and effectively balance service with regulatory compliance.
• Ability to
  work effectively, prioritize, and be flexible in a high-paced, high-volume professional environment.
• Outstanding organizational
  skills, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, capable of self direction, ability to deal diplomatically with people at all
  levels, a high degree of personal integrity and discretion, solid decision-making skills, and judgment.
• Excellent oral and written
  communication skills. Must have the ability to communicate effectively and serve as a liaison between granting agencies, university
  administration and the principal investigators. 
• Intermediate level of experience with Excel and Word and the willingness to learn
  new technology. 

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications,
Licensure)

• Demonstrated experience in the interpretation and application of regulations pertaining to sponsored
  programs.
• Experience preparing/submitting scientific research proposals and budgets under tight deadlines.  Proficient with
  electronic grants management systems (i.e. grants.gov, NIH eRA Commons, NSF Fastlane, Proposal Central, etc.) and experience with enterprise
  research administration systems.
• Ability to interpret and translate programmatic needs into cost effective budget proposals to
  maximize funding opportunities.
• Experience managing finances and/or projects with an institution of higher education, including
  knowledge of government and fund accounting. 
• Experience with Cost Accounting Standards and Uniform Guidance Requirements.
• Certification in Research Administration such as CRA, CPRA, CFRA.
• Membership in professional organizations such as SRA and/or
  NCURA.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment. 

Work
Schedule

37.5 hours/week

This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defined by the
University as an arrangement where the employee’s work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. As this position
falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining
agreement.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where
an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls
within the
Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining
agreement.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Salary Ranges 

The University also offers an attractive benefits
package.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and
contact information for 3 professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to
race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military
status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the
selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a
program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement
of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the
applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.