Grants and Contract Manager, Office of Research & Sponsored Programs

External Applicants

Please ensure all required documents are ready to upload before beginning your application, including your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials specified in the job description.

Cover Letter and Supporting Documents

• Navigate to the "My Experience" application page.
• Locate the "Resume/CV" document upload section at the bottom of the page.
• Use the "Select Files" button to upload your cover letter, resume, and any other required supporting documents. You can select multiple files.

Important Note: The "My Experience" page is the only opportunity to attach your cover letter, resume, and supporting documents. You will not be able to modify your application or add attachments after submission.

Current Employees

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A cover letter is required for all positions; optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality roles unless otherwise specified.

Job Description Summary

The Grants and Contract Manager works independently to provide comprehensive pre- and post-award administrative and financial support to research-active faculty in assigned departments. The role assists faculty with pre-award activities, including reviewing funding opportunity guidelines, interpreting sponsor requirements, preparing proposal budgets and budget justifications, and coordinating proposal submissions.

The position also coordinates post-award research administration and financial business affairs, monitors project budgets, manages research personnel matters, and supports compliance with institutional and sponsor policies and procedures.

This is a hybrid position with one day per week required in-person. The day of week is flexible.

Essential Functions

• Facilitates proposal writers as they identify future grant opportunities. Aids in interpretation of guidelines and regulatory requirements. Works with faculty members to prepare proposal budgets, navigate requirements, and complete other administrative sections of applications. Initiates or reviews proposal records in Cayuse.
• Manages faculty grant, discretionary, and start-up funds. Maintains and reconciles detailed budgets; advises and/or determines allowability of expenditures and compliance with budget guidelines; informs management of irregularities and proceeds with corrective action.
• Prepares regular financial reports for research funds. Using Workday, organizes and/or prepares financial summary reports; analyzes, summarizes, and interprets financial information, and recommends course of action. Conducts forecasting and budget planning for year-end projections.
• Oversees the system for receipt, processing and approval of invoices and expenditure requests through the department to Financial Services, including University P-Card purchases when startup funds, grants, or discretionary funds are used.
• Oversees and advises on the preparation of monthly journal entries for reallocating or correcting expenses and maintains complete documentation.
• Coordinates award closeout activities with ORSP Central and Financial Services, enabling timely final financial reporting, resolution of account overdrafts, and proper disposition of remaining balances.
• Coordinates graduate student appointments and pay with the Graduate School Office. Maintains awareness of graduate stipend levels and other fees.
• Understands process and implements appropriate action for faculty summer salary payments, course buyouts, and costing allocations.
• Reviews effort certification reports.
• Serves as primary liaison between assigned departments and key institutional offices and staff, including ORSP central, Post-Award Grants Administration, Accounts Payable, Procurement Department, Human Resources, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and Financial Aid (with respect to student employment), on behalf of both the department and individual faculty members.
• Understands and complies with University accounting policies and procedures. Provides guidance to principal investigators regarding grant-related University policies and procedures and promotes compliance with applicable requirements.
• Assists in compiling reports regarding study operations and progress for internal and external stakeholders, including faculty/staff, ORSP, Institutional Review Board, and/or study sponsors.
• Carries out additional responsibilities as needed to support institutional research objectives.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field plus three years of progressive accounting/management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of office and administrative practices and principles.
• Knowledge and skill in accounting and budget preparation/management.
• Knowledge and skill in financial reporting, comparisons, and/or projections.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Google Workspace.
• Knowledge of grant proposal submission and post-award maintenance processes.
• Well-developed planning, administrative, and project management skills; ability to establish goals, prioritize tasks, and mobilize resources in a time-critical environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including proficiency in business and scientific writing. Ability to develop and nurture relationships with individuals/organizations having diverse professional expertise.
• Ability to proactively respond to grant budgeting issues and needs.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural questions.
• Ability to handle multi-tasking, professional relationships under stressful conditions, and sensitive information in a confidential manner.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience with electronic proposal submission and processing.
• Experience using Cayuse 424 and SP.
• Experience using Workday.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA), or Ce rtified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA).

Accountabilities

• Responsible for own work.
• Budgetary responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

• Sedentary work primarily involves sitting/standing; communicating with others to exchange information; repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Environmental Conditions

• No environmental conditions

Additional information

This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant

• This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance.
• It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform.
• Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.