Senior Award Research Administrator (Remote Opportunity)

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

About Research & Engagement

The UMass Amherst community engages more than 31,000 students, 1,400 faculty, and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research projects in many areas from basic to applied that are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $240 million in 2023.

 

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Assistant Director for the Office of Post-Award Management (OPAM), the Senior Administrator reviews, negotiates, and finalizes for acceptance by the Authorized Representative, grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for research, instruction, and other public service funding received by the University from international, federal, state, and local government sponsors as well as private for-profit and not-for-profit sponsors, including business, industry, associations, and foundations. The Senior Administrator reviews, negotiates, and recommends approval of contracts, cooperative agreements, and subcontracts for sponsored research and other activities. This position provides administrative oversight of sponsored projects to minimize the University’s compliance risk related to sponsored activities. They keep abreast of new developments in federal regulations, policies, and procedures in order to serve as an up-to-date source of information and guidance for the research community. Additionally, the Senior Research Administrator approves, accepts, and uploads unilateral grants into the financial system for research, instruction, and other public service funding received by the University. 

 

Essential Functions

• Responsible for independently conducting a thorough review and assessment of grant/contract terms and conditions, as well as applicable sponsor policies and pertinent laws and regulations.  Prepares formal recommendation of acceptance/approval for signature by a University Authorized Representative. Reads and analyzes legal agreements; recognizes unacceptable contract language.  Recommends acceptance of bilaterally executed agreements requiring legally authorized signatory. 
• Prepares risk assessments based on terms and conditions and ensures that entering into an agreement does not place the University at an unreasonable legal risk or in violation or conflict with University policy, federal regulation or Commonwealth law.
• Independently negotiates award terms and conditions directly with the sponsoring agency representative or legal counsel to achieve the best contractual relationship for the University.
• Responsible for assuring that all compliance approvals have been obtained by the appropriate University regulatory committees (e.g., Institutional Review Board, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) prior to the release of award to the Controller’s Office for expenditure.
• Reviews and recommends pre-award requests for advance spending. Monitors the status of existing pre-award account set-ups and follows up with sponsor to ensure the award gets issued within a timely manner after.
• Coordinates award set-up efforts to ensure that awards are being processed in a timely manner. Accountability for documenting any special reviews by other University offices such as the Technology Transfer Office, the General Counsel’s Office, Risk Management, etc., and for implementing/incorporating the results of the special review.
• Advises faculty and research administration staff regarding the obligations, risks and financial liabilities incurred as a result of the award terms; interprets applicability of complex legal terms to operational research activities. Responsible for the accurate input of award data and detailed budget information i