| Job Description: |
Lead Post-Award Research Administration
Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for post-award research administration across departments and units served by the CLAS Research Office. The manager will establish consistent workflows, internal controls, service expectations, and quality standards while monitoring portfolio activity and emerging financial or compliance risks.
Responsibilities include overseeing award setup and account structures; financial monitoring and forecasting; payroll and effort; award modifications; subawards; sponsor reporting coordination; project closeout; and other post-award activities. The manager will also help resolve complex or escalated financial and administrative matters and provide direct portfolio support when needed during transitions, high-volume periods, or other critical situations.
Provide Expert Guidance and Manage Risk
Serve as an advanced resource to faculty, research administrators, departments, and College leadership on post-award financial and compliance requirements.
The manager will provide guidance on allowability, allocability, reasonableness, award restrictions, prior approvals, cost sharing, participant support, rebudgeting, effort, payroll, subawards, award changes, and other complex post-award matters. The position will identify emerging risks, recommend corrective actions, support audits and compliance reviews, and help ensure that sponsored projects are administered in accordance with sponsor, institutional, state, and federal requirements.
Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team
Supervise, coach, and mentor post-award research administration staff. The manager will assign and balance work, monitor service levels, provide technical guidance, support resolution of complex issues, and create opportunities for staff development and cross-training.
The manager will also lead structured onboarding and continuing education for post-award research administrators and help develop a culture of shared knowledge, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The underlying position description specifically places responsibility for onboarding, continuing education, mentoring, shadowing, and skill-building with this role.
Build Faculty and Campus Partnerships
Develop strong relationships with Principal Investigators, departmental staff, College leadership, and central administrative offices. The manager will facilitate recurring portfolio reviews, communicate financial and compliance matters clearly, anticipate upcoming needs, and help faculty and administrators make informed decisions throughout the life of an award.
The position serves as a key liaison among the CLAS Research Office, departments, DSP, Contracts & Grants, and other university partners and may communicate with sponsors and external partners as appropriate and authorized.
Help Shape a Growing Research Office
The CLAS Research Office values thoughtful improvement, shared knowledge, professional development, and consistent service. The Research Administration Manager will play an important role in developing the infrastructure needed to support those goals.
The manager will develop and improve procedures, tools, templates, checklists, training materials, internal controls, performance measures, and other resources supporting post-award administration. The position will monitor changes in sponsor and federal requirements, identify recurring operational or compliance challenges, and work with Research Office leadership to develop practical and scalable solutions.
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| Preferred |
- Successful candidates will demonstrate a combination of the following:
- Significant experience in sponsored research administration, with strong knowledge of post-award financial management and compliance.
- Demonstrated leadership experience, including supervising, developing, training, or mentoring staff.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to independently interpret complex requirements, identify risk, and develop practical solutions.
- Experience developing or improving processes, tools, resources, or service delivery.
- Demonstrated commitment to professionalism, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
- Experience working effectively with faculty, departmental staff, institutional leadership, and central administrative offices.
- Proficiency with research administration, financial, reporting, and productivity systems; experience with University of Florida systems and processes is preferred.
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