Job Description:

The Grants and Financial Specialist independently manages all matters pertaining to grants administration, both financial and administrative, and has financial oversight and administrative responsibility for the sponsored projects.   This position provides high-level comprehensive pre- and post-award management, subcontract administration, and financial analysis.  This position is the administrative liaison between the Division/Department, OSP, collaborating institutions, sponsoring agencies and principal investigators (PIs).  The incumbent has a broad scope of responsibilities and knowledgeable of research administration, including financial matters.

Responsibilities

Financial Management

• Independently manages grant portfolio and acts as a resource/mentor to the Grants and Financial Coordinator.  Uses financial analytics, and develops tools and reports for faculty. Develops detailed reports for faculty on the financial status of awards, including forecasting of expenditure rates and personnel management strategies, to guide faculty with short- and long-term planning.  Interacts with faculty to develop financial strategies to expend available funding in keeping with budgetary constraints and sponsored agency cost rules and regulations.  Advises PIs and Department manager on research funding matters such as proposal preparation and maintaining appropriate stewardship of funds received from external sponsors and donors.  Assist with financial information, such as cost-sharing and financial closeout for timely account reconciliation.  Oversee grant related purchases and maintain equipment inventory. Analyzes the availability of graduate student academic and summer support through grant funding or other sources of support.  Assures PI academic and summer effort is pro-actively planned and expensed.  Independently designs and implements the upkeep of complex spreadsheets and databases for tracking effort.  Tracks PI salary to remain in compliance with minimum sponsor thresholds.   Coordinates re-budgeting requests for revisions and just-in-time requirements, as well as prior approvals (e.g, pre-award spending, no-cost extensions).    Requests and tracks carry-forward and cost-sharing commitments.
• Updates knowledge base for all aspects of post-award administration by attending University sponsored trainings and information sessions, and NCURA, SRA or other professional development meetings.  Researches and clarifies increasing complex award terms and conditions. 

Proposal Administration

• Provides high-level grant and proposal services to the Division/Department for proposals submitted by all faculty.  Independently prepares budgets and all submission documents in accordance with sponsor instructions.  Independently creates budgets and manages gathering of other required documentation from co-PIs, collaborators, and from sub-contracting institutions. Keeps informed of changes in proposal systems by attending system users group meetings, University sponsored trainings and information sessions, reviewing monthly Research Administration newsletter, and by studying agency specific proposal guidelines. 

Award Management

• Communicates directly with subcontractors in order to obtain sub-recipient monitoring documents, yearly budgets, statements of work, spending plans, and justifications. Monitors spending rates.  Resolves spending rate issues and secures PI approval on all subcontract invoices.  Spearheads, monitors, and resolves transfer of award issues with the Office of Sponsored Projects.  Oversees submission of materials to IRB (Human Subject), IACUC, Export Control, Biosafety or other compliance matters. 

Qualifications

• Bachelorâ™s degree with 3-5 years of experience in research administration or accounting/financial/budgeting experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.  A degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Health, Science, Engineering or Math field is preferred.
• Experience with proposal preparation with federal and non-federal grants and using the InfoEd/Coeus grants management (or similar) system preferred.
• Familiarity with eRA Commons, NSF Fastlane, Research.gov and/or Grants.gov preferred.
• Higher-Education or non-profit work experience preferred.
• Excellent financial analytical ability.
• Willingness and interest in assuming increasing levels of responsibilities, networking, leadership, and training opportunities.
• Highly proficient in Excel applications (data manipulations); MS Excel and Google Docs preferred.
•  Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) to elicit and disperse information; to present information (including data) and communications in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong organizational, administrative, time management and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-faceted work environment.
• Flexible, service-oriented and resourceful.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload in a multi-tasking environment while maintaining careful attention to detail.
• Ability to work with a diverse population and handle confidential information with discretion.

Background check: criminal and education verification

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Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu.

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

Brown University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community; as an EEO/AA employer, Brown considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, race, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.