Grant Administrator

Grant Administrator

Receiving general direction from the Scientific and Associate Scientific Directors of the Lurie Center for Autism, the incumbent provides management support and administrative oversight of research grants and philanthropic funds of the Lurie Center. The Grant Administrator is responsible for the pre and post award management of a growing portfolio of grants, contracts, and a research core. The incumbent will work directly with the Principal Investigators, research staff, and the Scientific Director/Associate Scientific/Administrative Director in all aspects of managing the grant administration process. Primary duties include grant/contract proposal submission, compliance, ongoing budget oversight and financial management, subcontract management, sponsor reports, and daily administrative and operational requirements of assigned contracts/grants.

Other responsibilities can include funding analysis and reporting of philanthropic and clinical programs of the Lurie Center with its integrated missions of clinical care, education, and research. The ability to analyze and present financial data utilizing reports easily accessible to clinical and research leadership is important.

The position has opportunity for growth and promotion within the expanding Lurie Center for Autism research portfolio.

The incumbent may delegate assignments as necessary, but is ultimately responsible for ensuring that each of the functions listed below is achieved.

• Works with Principal Investigators and their support staff to coordinate all aspects of grant submission; reviews budgets to ensure proposal compliance with Hospital and grantor policies and procedures, as well as those of subcontracting institutions.
• Reviews grant applications prior to submission to Research Management to ensure compliance with institutional and funding agency’s regulations. Alerts investigators to any necessary changes. Maintains files of all submitted grant applications. Functions as resource person in clarification of policies and works with Principal Investigators to achieve compliance. Ensure timely set-up of new funds.
• Assists investigators in identifying funding sources and obtaining applications. Apprises investigators of submission dates and changes in the application, submission, and funding guidelines of the institution and of various funding agencies.
• Identifies potential budget procedural and policy issues affecting grant implementation and works with Principal Investigators to resolve issues; maintains ongoing forecast of funds available throughout grant period; optimizes budgeting for Principal Investigators’ laboratories by coordinating grants available from all grant sources.
• Monitors grants and funds monthly; resolves accounting and reporting issues as necessary; prepares budget-versus-actual status reports for use by Principal Investigators and facilitates implementation of grant awards by obtaining fund numbers, activates salary assignments to grants, and other associated tasks. Works with PIs to identify variations, trends, issues, etc. in a timely fashion.
• Identifies and interprets cost-sharing issues and/or opportunities. Processes cost transfers on a timely basis; works with Principal Investigators to proactively identify and avoid need for cost transfers, i.e., project cash flow for projects and re-budget as required.
• Advises regarding the allowability of costs to be charged to programs. Reviews appropriateness of transactions and budget reallocations against funding source guidelines. Works with Research Finance to resolve complex accounting issues. Verifies that funds are available for all equipment, personnel and major purchases. Assures compliance with federal purchase and contract requirements.
• Responsible for the identification and prevention of projected overruns and for the resolution of projects in deficit situation. Initiates mechanisms of budget control and assist in implementation on short and long-term basis.
• Responsible for the timely closeout of all expired projects through the coordination of fiscal resources. In conjunction with Research Finance, conducts final desk audit for sponsor compliance upon project termination.
• Processes salary data changes for all grant related personnel in PeopleSoft and maintains salary sheets for professional staff members in Insight.
• In coordination with Research Finance, oversees contract billing and receivables.
• In coordination with PIs, the Administrative Director for Research for Pediatrics, and the Scientific/Associate Scientific Directors of the Lurie Center complete all information and report requests from Research Management, including cost transfers, audit requests, budget changes, etc.
• Reviews, adjusts and facilitates approval of quarterly “Time and Effort” reports for all sponsored activities in order to ensure compliance with government guidelines.
• In coordination with the PIs, and Lurie/Pediatric leadership, participates in development and coordination of long-range plans and funding strategies for activities of assigned PIs.
• Develops primary working relationships with local, national, and international site administrators of assigned grants/contracts. Develops collaborative working relationships with ancillary services such as, Research Management and other MBB entities.
• Implement new technologies used to enhance efficiency and administrative workflow within the groups.

Other Responsibilities

• Serves as representative of the Lurie Center, MGHfC and Hospital as requested for committees, projects, etc.
• Perform/coordinate special projects for the Lurie Center or MGHfC as may arise from time-to-time.

• Bachelor’s degree required. Accounting degree preferred.
• Minimum of 1 to 3 years of directly related experience required including accounting, research administration experience with pre and post award emphasis, and working knowledge of NIH and other federal, state and foundation regulations and requirements.

• Development and/or maintenance of systems to monitor finances.
• Exceptional analytical and organizational skillsand the flexibility to handle multiple tasks and deadline pressures.
• Ability to make decisions quickly and independently.
• Excellent interpersonal/communications skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Access and Internet applications.
• Demonstrated ability to be organized and flexible in an environment, which requires continuous monitoring of priorities.
• Highly goal oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently.
• Willingness to take on new challenges and openness to change.

Hybrid role with two - three days per week remote. Normal office conditions. May be required to attend meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours.

May have 1-2 supervisees.

Responsible for $4 million+ in pre- and post-award financial management of portfolio of research grants and sundry funds.

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.