Grants Manager

The Princeton Neuroscience Institute (PNI) is a premiere research institute within Princeton University's campus, dedicated to solving problems at the forefront of discovery into how the brain develops and functions, enabling cognition and behavior. Research at PNI combines expertise from neuroscience, psychology, biology, engineering, and computational science and, as a result, many faculty have joint appointments in PNI and other departments. Faculty members, research staff, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and administrative staff work together in a collaborative and creative environment, reflecting Princeton's reputation for excellence.

PNI is seeking a Grants Manager, at the rank of ADM040, to assist with the administration of sponsored research grants for our faculty, students, and research staff. The Grants Manager serves as a resource for faculty, students and staff on policy and procedural questions related to sponsored grants management and financial controls. This position will support the Senior Grants Managers and Assistant Director with all aspects of sponsored research grant, contract and financial administration.

The Grants Manager's pre-award responsibilities will include: timely coordination of the proposal process with ORPA, Principal Investigators (PIs), outside investigators, and other institutional, governmental, and non-governmental points of contact. The incumbent will be expected to review and understand agency program announcements and submission requirements; review budgetary guidelines in accordance with sponsor proposal requirements and budget and justification development, and compile full proposal application packages for submission in University and sponsor information systems.

• Liaise with Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA) on all issues pertaining to proposals and administration of sponsored research accounts;
• Prepare administrative proposal documents including information on budgets, budget justifications, senior personnel and other required documentation for each submission which may vary by sponsor.
• Collate all pending proposal materials and maintain detailed files; route documents for review/approval via the internal proposal system (Princeton ERA) for submission to sponsor.
• Communicate regularly with faculty members, ORPA, external collaborators and other institutional administrators, and governmental and nongovernmental administrators to facilitate proposal preparation and submission procedures.
• Prepares Just-In-Time information as required by Sponsor.
• Ensures compliance with Research Integrity Assurance (RIA).

The Grants Manager's post-award responsibilities will include: award review and set up, budget and expense monitoring, allowability compliance and expenditure reconciliation and projections; financial records management, and subcontract administration.

• Works closely with Sponsored Research Accounting to review and verify reports, plus assist with requests from internal and external auditors.
• Administer the full life-cycle award including setup review, budget and expense tracking, prior approval requests and modifications, ad hoc reporting, and award closeout.
• Ensure departmental compliance with applicable sponsor, federal, and university regulations, policies, and procedures. Ensure spending aligns with awarded budgets and assist with obtaining necessary approvals on purchases.
• Monitor budgets and expenses of active projects for accuracy and compliance. Communicate with faculty via timely forecasting and expenditure reports.
• Maintains PI current and proposed funding support documents.
• Maintains confidential Labor Account effort in order to ensure the timely submission of salary and wage certifications.
• Tracks and monitors cost sharing commitments.
• Processes cost transfers as needed
• Communicate with subcontract office and collaborating institutions on award initiation; prepare and submit subaward agreement requests in Princeton ERA system.

The Grants Manager is expected to stay up-to-date with respect to knowledge of University policies and procedures regarding research administration including participation in University-sponsored trainings as well as remain current and knowledgeable regarding policies of governmental and non government sponsors. The incumbent must be flexible to take on other ad hoc assignments to support PNI researchers and research activities.

• Assist Senior Grants Manager(s) and Assistant Director with special projects as needed.
• Labor Accounting salary/effort adjustments and approvals -- which includes effort certifications and faculty summer salary requests.
• Timely approval of requisitions, travel and expense reimbursement.
• Communicates university and sponsored research policies and regulations to department faculty and staff.
• Attend all relevant training classes and stays current with changes in policies, procedures and processes pertaining to sponsored research.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent minimum 3 to 5 years work experience in accounting and/or business in an academic environment
• minimum 3 to 5 years experience with proposal submission and administration of sponsored research projects, knowledge of OMB regulations and federal compliance and knowledge of federal agency and grants.gov guidelines, particularly with NIH and NSF grant submission processes
• Experience and fluency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and Adobe Pro applications
• Must possess strong analytical skills
• Strong communication skills necessary to interact effectively, and with professionalism and confidentiality as a representative of PNI, with individuals at all levels within and outside the University
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and work proactively on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with electronic grant management websites such as Princeton ERA (Huron), NIH eRA Commons, and NSF Fastlane/ Research.gov, grants.gov, SciENcv, NJ SAGE, DoD, etc.
• Experience with Princeton University Financial Systems - including but not limited to the PRIME, Information Warehouse, PeopleSoft, Labor Accounting and CONCUR
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptive to changing needs with the ability to be proactive and work independently
• Ability to be resourceful to creatively solve problems and formulate/suggest/implement process improvements.

This position is subject to the University's background check policy.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.