Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist
The University of Chicago

Department
BSD CTD - Finance

About the Department
The Center for Translational Data Science (CTDS) at the University of Chicago is a research center whose mission is to develop the discipline of translational data science to impactful problems in biology, medicine, healthcare, and the environment. We envision a world in which researchers have ready access to the data needed and the tools required to make data driven discoveries that increase our scientific knowledge and improve the quality of life. We architect ecosystems of large-scale commons of research data, computing resources, applications, tools, and services for the broader research community to use data at scale to pursue scientific inquiry and accelerate discovery. Learn more at https://gdc.cancer.gov/, and https://gen3.org/, and https://stats.gen3.org/, and https://ctds.uchicago.edu/.

This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Job Summary
The job works independently to administer pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals/funding within a department or unit.

Under minimal supervision, the Senior Grants & Contracts Specialist oversees a portfolio of grants, contracts, and other sponsored awards, working closely with project teams both internally and externally. This Specialist uses best practices and knowledge of internal and external needs and trends to improve implementation of financial strategy and planning for CTDS. For their portfolio, this role will lead, coordinate, and perform all pre- and post-award activities in accordance with university policies and procedures and compliant with federal and other external policies.

Responsibilities

• Ensures and is responsible for accurate and important data entry and processing of various financial tasks using University systems.
  
• Lead and participates in monthly account-related tasks, such as account projections, reconciling expenses and budgets, effort allocations and summaries for Faculty, Project Managers, and other CTDS senior leadership.
  
• Attends monthly or weekly technical calls with sponsors to better understand project specific financial constraints and budgeting.
  
• Solicits feedback and needs on regularly monthly reporting and designs solutions for these needs for internal and external collaborators.
  
• Works closely with Technical Project Managers and Team leads to create, charge, and track expenses for projects.
  
• Recommends assignments of and leads pre-sponsored-award proposal activities between researchers and University Research Administration.
  
• Consults for and assists Business Operations Managers and other Financial Administrators with their assigned proposal activities.
  
• Supports standards for post-award activities such as effort reporting, spending projections, cost allocations, equipment inventory, cost reconciliations, grant and account closing processes.
  
• Improves processes by identifying bottlenecks, potential efficiencies, and learning from changing best practices and industry standards.
  
• Leads and performs assigned post-award activities for critical and important projects such as effort reporting, spending projections, cost allocations, equipment inventory, cost reconciliations, grant and account closing processes.
  
• Maintains, develops, and follows up-to-date procedures and policies the University and Sponsored Award processes, and facilitates communication of procedures and policies to relevant stakeholders.
  
• Researches funding opportunities and brings them to the attention of colleagues.
  
• Identifies and anticipates reporting and communication needs, collaborating with supervisor and others as needed.
  
• Provides specialized support for the research enterprise within a department or unit, including pre- and/ or post-award administration for all sponsored activity. Serves as liaison between PIs, University administrative offices, and external agencies.
  
• Ensures service and communication to PIs, standardized information, best practices development, and that all faculty and research staff are aware of any new grant policies and changes.
  
• Analyzes industry trends and remains current with agency and regulatory changes. Monitors department/ unit compliance with University, Divisional and Department policies and procedures and implements corrective actions for issues identified.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Microsoft Excel - intermediate skills.
  
• Financial or Accounting background, or equivalent work experience.
  
• 4+ years of experience in working on highly technical sponsored research in computer and software development for biological research.
  

Preferred Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of creating and managing budgets and projections within Microsoft Excel or equivalent.
  
• Intermediate knowledge of financial processes within an administrative environment.
  
• Very strong organizational skills, balancing multiple tasks, deadlines, and budgets.
  
• Very strong written and communication skills for communications with internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Ability to be discreet with information pertaining to personnel and research-related activities.
  
• Ability to schedule and prioritize work within a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  
• Ability to coordinate and delegate across multiple teams and projects on activities related to grants, contracts, and other areas of pre- and post-award financial administration.
  
• Ability to quickly adapt to new facets, processes, and systems within pre- and post-sponsored award financial administration.
  

Working Conditions

• Office environment.
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
• Cover Letter (preferred)
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
Financial Management

Role Impact
Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours
40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type
Salary

FLSA Status
Exempt

Pay Range
$75,000.00 - $95,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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