Sr. Research Administrator

General Information

Position Number 000340 Vacancy Open to All Candidates Working Title Sr. Research Administrator Position Designation EHRA Non-Faculty Employment Type Permanent - Full-time Months per Year 12 Work Schedule
8:00 am - 5:00 pm: Monday - Friday (exempt)
Hours per week 40+ Exempt FLSA Status Exempt Division Research Department Div of Research (Adm) Work Location Remote - live within a 100 miles of the campus Salary Range $62,100 - $75,900 Primary Purpose of Department
The Office of Sponsored Projects Administration ( OSPA ) is responsible for coordinating the legal administration of contracts, grants, and financial management of all sponsored funds awarded to UNC Charlotte.
Primary Purpose of Position
Provides sponsored project management from budget approval to project closeout in post-award service teams, supporting an average of 200 awards in several colleges and their departments. This position advises and assists department staff and other units within the university, ensures compliance with appropriate federal, agency, state, and university regulations, policies, and procedures, and administers sponsored projects for fiscal and programmatic compliance.
Summary of Position Responsibilities
Financial Monitoring & Analysis

• Provide administrative oversight and support for budgets, labor distributions, expenditures, cost sharing, project deliverables, and regulatory compliance; ensure appropriate and complete recording of project costs; resolve deficits; monitor subcontractor and consultant performance and billing; establish, maintain, and close out projects in the university accounting system.
• Review award budget for conformance to University, sponsor, and regulatory costing requirements: resolve issues with the department.
• Establish sponsored project cost centers in the financial accounting system.
• Notify the department of the established account number and any special conditions or restrictions that apply to the project, including cost-sharing and program income. Periodically review budgeted employee effort for the award and ensure principal investigators establish appropriate effort distributions in the Payroll system.
• Monitor revenue and expense and perform grant accounting for sponsored projects in compliance with CASB , Uniform Guidance, various governmental agencies, and other sponsor regulations and institutional policies.
• Maintain oversight of financial records for each award. Monitor budget variances: review and process internal budget modifications.
• Approve expenditure requests and review cost transfers for validity, backup documentation, and fund availability. Ensure prior approvals are obtained from the sponsor where applicable.
• Ensure that all project costs, including university or third-party cost sharing, are accounted for properly and documented.
• Monitor and reconcile facilities and administrative and employee benefit charges to projects. Perform other accounting as needed.
• Assist the invoicing group with collection activities as needed. Monitor subcontracts and process payment requests from subcontractors.
• Assist with distribution of project reports and end date and deficit notices to PI's and Departments in accordance with UNCC research policies and procedures.
• Support faculty and department administrators in resolving project deficits.
• Perform award closeout activities in conjunction with the PI and support staff.
• Ensure sponsor closeout requirements are met, and the financial fund closeout in the accounting system is in accordance with UNC Charlotte research policies and procedures.
• Recommend policies and procedures that keep UNC Charlotte compliant with federal, state, and various funding agency rules and regulations.
• Assure interaction between the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration systems and other systems at UNC Charlotte and the State of North Carolina.

Professional Knowledge

• Advise and assist department staff and other units in administering sponsored projects. Interpret sponsor, university, and government regulations, guidelines, and policies.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise in federal, state, local, and other agency regulations and policies to assure compliance.
• Remain current on applicable laws and the Uniform Guidance pertaining to sponsored program activities.
• The position will maintain the integrity of the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration's accounts for reporting.

Decision Making & Problem Solving

• Independently review and approve expenditure transactions in accordance with federal, state, local and university policies.
• Provide guidance on all aspects of an executed award to those served in the research community.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Assist principal investigators, project directors, staff, department administrators, and other customers with accurate, timely information and reports.
• Assist with sponsor audits, the Uniform Guidance annual single audit, and compliance audits as needed.
• Review award documents for special conditions or restrictions, programmatic and other deliverables, cost sharing, reporting, and billing requirements.
• Notify the Principal Investigator of any special conditions or restrictions.
• Verify that the investigator obtains the required assurances.
• Act as a primary point of contact with their assigned projects to solve compliance, operational issues, and problems that may affect UNC Charlotte's ability to utilize grant funds or complete funded projects properly.
• Answer and research high-level questions put forth by the colleges and manage conflict between funding agencies and UNC Charlotte.
• Interact with other offices on high-level sponsored program activities, such as technology transfer, compliance, legal, and academic affairs.
• Develop and present training sessions for administrative staff.
• Train other senior-level academic administrators in the correct management of sponsored awards.
• Assist in assuring that colleges comply with all applicable financial rules and/or regulations concerning managing sponsored awards.
• Assist the university in creating infrastructure to support the sponsored awards and research mission.

Minimum Education/Experience
Masters of Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting and 1-2 years of experience; Bachelor of Business Administration or Accounting with 2-4 years of experience or equivalent education/experience
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business or Accounting with 4 - 7 years of experience.
• Experience in Higher Education Research Administration in a Central Office.
• Banner Experience or other electronic financial systems.
• Proficiency in Excel and Word.

Necessary Certifications/Licenses
N/A
Preferred Certifications/Licenses
N/A
Special Notes to Applicants

• Remote Position - Must live within 100 miles of UNC Charlotte's campus.
• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/
• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report.

Posting Open Date 09/19/2024 Posting Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Proposed Hire Date 10/21/2024 If time-limited please indicate appointment end date Contact Information