Careers

General Summary: 

The Department Research Administrator IV (Team Lead). The DRAIV is the fourth, senior level professional job in this series as serves as Team Leader for their assigned unit(s).

We seek a Department Research Administrator (DRAIV) to provide college level administrative and operational management of the externally funded award portfolios of Principal Investigators (PIs). As Team Leader, the incumbent will be responsible for proposal development and award management including application development, account set-up and monitoring, personnel and non-personnel transactions including personnel appointments and procurement as a member of the College of Education and Human Development research administration team. Award management activities including budget management, spending plan development, account tracking, financial reports and award modifications while maintaining award records in compliance with university and sponsor policies as well as applicable federal, state and local policies. The incumbent will work closely with PIs on all aspects of the administration of their proposals and awards, including portfolio analysis and assisting with special projects and programmatic coordination, when needed. The DRA/Team Leader will work in collaboration with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) and the Dean’s Office in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). The incumbent may also supervise other department research administration staff and be responsible for providing support for the financial and operational goals of all of CEHD units, centers and institutes as necessary.

As the Team Leader, the incumbent may be responsible for the day-to-day operations of centers and institutes during vacancies or at times of limited resources. The incumbent may have authority and responsibility over all aspects of the financial management of a Center, for example, including grant management, development of budget estimates for projects and overall center operations; and for providing fiscal information required for project management and for management of the center. They will provide needed guidance and leadership to research administration staff throughout CEHD. This may include supervision of business staff functions; maintaining the technological infrastructure of the center; as well as overseeing the development of plans for the expanded use of technology; and managing the internal operations of a center.

Examples of Duties: 

• Grant preparation coordination, support and management: Provide technical assistance to Principal Investigators (PIs) by preparing and ensuring completeness of proposals submitted to external sponsors; work collaboratively to prepare/review project budgets and budget justifications with PIs. When appropriate, recommend changes to applications with input from higher level department/grant administrators. Ensure proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner.
• Support PIs in the processing of non-competing continuations, progress reports, supplements and other award/ agreement amendments.
• Lead and participate in ORSP and unit trainings for PIs and faculty; orient and train new grant administrators and provide guidance to level I, II, and III staff.
• Work closely with unit financial staff to ensure appropriate and timely expenditures of all personnel and non-personnel costs; run monthly reports of all grants in portfolio and reconcile; identify and react to any variances as necessary.
• Liaise as necessary with ORSP pre-award, post-award and compliance staff, and other central university departments (Human Resources, UPST, Controller).
• Assist with collecting information and documentation for external or internal auditors in their examination of active and terminated projects.
• Understand sub-recipient monitoring requirements.
• Maintain familiarity with applicable federal regulations, policies, guidelines, latest applications and amendments. Ensure all are upheld.
• Assist the ORSP postaward team in Billing, Accounts Receivable and Financial Analysis regarding invoicing and outstanding payments with sponsors.
• Oversee fiscal year-end closing and monitor the center’s generated revenue.
• Manage financial resources daily, including receipt and disbursement of funds, procurement of goods and services, approval and reconciliation of all invoices and contracts, and management of individual project budgets; oversee the preparation and submission of monthly invoices to each sponsor and monitor accounts.
• Support Associate Deans for Research (ADR) efforts to encourage and increase externally funded research. Coordinate ADR/ORSP seminars, workshops, conferences and the dissemination and collection of grant opportunities.
• Develop and sustain automated computer systems, including university and center accounting databases used for salary and wage payroll system, spreadsheets and databases for monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports, projection of fiscal year efforts, reconciliation system, accounts receivable and invoicing system, and project budget system.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in business, finance, or a similar area relevant to grant administration is required for all levels. Master’s degree in research administration, business, finance, or similar area.
• Professional experience in sponsored programs in an academic, research or equivalent setting is required.
• Proficiency in software applications, including office software and database management.
• Thorough and demonstrated knowledge of accounting, financial budgeting practices.
• Knowledge of undemonstrated experience in the management and coordination of payroll, personnel and project budget.
• Broad-based knowledge of research and grants administration.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues, as well as senior managers and departmental staff, and be thoughtful of multicultural environment.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team with both academic leaders, as well as administrative staff to accomplish assigned tasks.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling highly confidential information and work with confidential and time sensitive materials; ability to multitask and prioritize tasks while respecting multiple deadlines and using time efficiently.
• Strong managerial skills for hiring, training and supervising a diverse staff.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong professional integrity.
• Strong and demonstrated commitment to equity and social justice.

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 34             

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of June 30, 2025, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.Is this grant funded?

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HRDirect@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.