The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) division supports the University community in their pursuit of research and the management of externally sponsored programs. ORSP is the key point of contact for faculty in the area of sponsored research and other sponsored programs, including research conduct and compliance.

Position Summary

The Grant and Contract Administrator (Level I or II) position is the primary departmental contact for faculty and staff regarding sponsored projects. This position is responsible for:

• Engage with investigators in submitting proposals including budget preparation and review
• Review and interpretation of program guidelines and communicating with sponsors
• Award negotiation and acceptance
• Administration of grant and contract awards
• Post award administration
• Expenditures, billings, effort, certification, award compliance and financial reports, this includes understanding of allowable charges and available award balances
• Engage and provide education and training within assigned divisions for faculty including faculty not currently experienced in research

Essential Functions

Prospecting

• Seek out and communicate external research funding opportunities.

Proposal Preparation

• Provide Principal Investigators (PI) with guideline interpretation and communicate with sponsor regarding any clarification that is needed.
• Engage with PIs to develop budget, assuring that all potential costs have been identified and justified, including salaries, fringe benefits, indirect costs, cost-share, etc.
• Prepare and submit all necessary sponsor forms as required by regulations, university policy, and sponsors
• Provide all internal documents requested by agencies

Award Negotiation and Acceptance

• Negotiate terms and conditions of grants, contracts and subcontracts with sponsors and subcontractors to assure compliance with federal regulations and university policies and procedures.
• Prepare agreements, obtaining departmental approvals for institutional signatures.

Grant & Contract Administration

• Assure that all research compliance issues have been completed and resolved prior to acceptance
• Ensure that awards are properly entered and reflected in databases
• Monitor milestones and deliverables and work with faculty and staff to satisfy sponsor requirements
• Work with ORSP staff to assure that award is managed in compliance with all regulations, policies and requirements and close out funds in accordance with these regulations, policies and requirements.

Subaward & Post Award Administration

• Determine necessary terms and conditions for subawards and prepare appropriate documents
• Review subcontractors for risk level and acceptance
• Setup appropriate internal purchase documents and monitor subaward activity and compliance.
• Perform assigned post award functions that include: Expenditure Approvals, Billing and Accounts Receivable, Effort Certifications,
• Award Compliance Reviews, Financial Reports and Award Closeouts.
• All functions performed accurately and timely in accordance with policies and regulations
• Extensive and effective communication with PIs and departmental staff.

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, in writing and orally, with principal investigators, sponsoring agencies, management, and others.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical and algebraic functions. Ability to review and analyze grant expenditure budgets.
• Ability to comprehend contractual documents
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Skilled in problem solving with the ability to make appropriate decisions independently and seek assistance as appropriate.
• Ability to work and lead within a team environment, multi-task effectively and work independently.
• Ability to travel to grant related professional development programs.
• Ability to uphold ethical practices amid complicated situations
• Ability to engage faculty/staff and work within team environment to achieve goals.

Required Qualifications

Level I:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• 1 year of experience in accounting, finance, grant/contract administration, or other discipline appropriate to position.
• Experience in maintenance of electronic systems.
• Knowledge and practical application of accounting principles or federal/state regulations.

Level II:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• 3 years’ experience in grant and contract administration.
• Experience in maintenance of electronic systems.
• Knowledge and practical application of accounting principles or federal/state regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

Level I:

• Master’s Degree
• Experience in a university research administration office is highly desirable.
• Experience using electronic payment systems.
• Knowledge and practical application of OMB 2 CFR 200 and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Understanding of pre and/or post-award grant/contract administration, including the accounting for federal grants or contracts.

Level II:

• Master’s Degree
• Experience in a university research administration office is highly desirable.
• Knowledge and practical application of OMB 2 CFR 200 and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Understanding of pre and/or post-award grant/contract administration, including the accounting for federal grants or contracts.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. hybrid/remote options available.

Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) September 16, 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade 

The salary grade for the Level I position is 9. The salary grade for the Level II position is 10.

Salary Range

The salary range for the Level I position is $60,000 - $67,000. The salary range for the Level II position is $67,000 - $77,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.