Pre-Award, Research Administrator

Department: College of Science

Classification: Financial Svcs Specialist 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The College of Science (COS) is committed to enhancing the College’s strength in the sciences by promoting excellence in research. Our pioneering research initiatives provide world-class scientific leadership in a wide variety of areas important to modern society. The College promotes diversity, and recruits the brightest faculty, students, and staff to create a vibrant and dynamic environment of learning and inquiry. The College enhances the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the University by responding to the needs of the community and creating spires of excellence.

George Mason University College of Science is committed to advancing access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (AJEDI) throughout our STEM community, including within our hiring and retention practices. At the College of Science, our values include fostering an organizational culture that promotes Anti-Racism, belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that a diversity of opinions, cultures, and perspectives is what provides vibrancy, innovation and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing inclusive excellence in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract a diverse pool of faculty and staff who exemplify the College of Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

The Pre-Award, Research Administrator is responsible for managing pre-award activities for an assigned portfolio of grants and contracts within COS, using knowledge of grant and contract management rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills. The position manages the day-to-day operations and objectives in support of the assigned portfolio. Contributes information and ideas related to areas of responsibility as part of a cross-functional team. Ensures effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards for staff, program and self.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitates all aspects of proposal preparation and submission process to ensure proposals meet federal, sponsor, and university guidelines;
• Provides expertise on sponsor and university policies;
• Monitors the external regulatory environment related to sponsored funding;
• Provides compliance checks and oversight for the University;
• Monitors accuracy of data for internal and external reporting;
• Ensures sponsor requirements and deliverables are met; Maintains a portfolio of active proposals.
• Manages actions of sponsored projects for assigned university units/centers, including modifications, no-cost extensions, rebudgets, PI changes, allowability questions, and other pre-award related actions;
• Complies with all office pre-award procedures;
• Effectively utilizes grants management system (Research Administration Management Portal - RAMP);
• Serves as a resource at times of high sponsored project activity to assist departments and faculty actions;
• Maintains communication with sponsors and faculty to ensure timely compliance with all requests related to sponsored project activities;
• Responds promptly and professionally to questions and requests from department staff, university faculty, or administrators regarding proposal and post award actions; and
• Facilitates communication with sponsors to resolve issues in a timely manner for pre-award questions.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education and/or work experience may be considered;
• Fundamental interpersonal skills in a professional environment;
• Demonstrated advanced oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to analyze data and formulate conclusions;
• Proficient use of computers; requires a solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Ability to create high-quality written documents;
• Proactively resolve issues in a timely manner;
• Excellent customer service orientation; and
• Deadline-oriented; work well under pressure.