Pre-Award Administrator - Team C

Department

BSD ADM - Pre Award - Team C

About the Department

The University of Chicago is an intellectual community and a globally renowned research institution dedicated to fostering innovative and impactful research in various domains, including the Biological Sciences. The Biological Sciences\ Division is at the forefront of cutting-edge research and the Research Administration Office (RAO) plays a pivotal role in supporting and facilitating the faculty who conduct research.

Job Summary

The job provides professional support for pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals and funding within a department or unit. Pre-award activities include research, preparing applications, and editing proposals. Post-award activities include compliance monitoring, payment processing, and salary allocations. Performs work with moderate guidance and utilizes knowledge of University and business drivers.

The Pre-Award Administrator will facilitate the development and initiation of research grants and contracts for faculty in the Department of Neurological Surgery.

Responsibilities

• Works with faculty and staff to identify, prepare, and submit grant applications to federal and private sources and secure sponsored funding from federal and local granting agencies as well as foundations.
• Assists in the timely submission of required annual reports and continuation applications.
• Serves as a resource to Section administrators and post-award account administrator to ensure that award activities and spending adheres to award terms and conditions.
• Attends institutional meetings that focus on grants management and establishes and maintains appropriate working relationships with both internal and external agencies.
• Seeks new avenues for funding and grant opportunities and ensures that notices of relevant opportunities are brought to faculty attention. Works with sponsors to draft proposal budgets in accordance with University needs, with a moderate level of guidance and direction.
• Prepares summaries of grants and effort allocations for Principal Investigators, meets with them and responds to their questions. Coordinates with other departments/units/divisions regarding multi investigator grants. Serves as department contact for annual audits and agency site visits.
• Reviews all applications against University guidelines, in addition to drafting progress reports, non-competing applications, amendments, and budgeting. Responsible for all data entry and preparation of grant reports and trend analysis.
• Performs other related work as needed. ​

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, or science strongly preferred.
• Experience: Three years of administrative, accounting, or grant and contract administration experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with budgets, ledgers, invoices, and fiscal reporting strongly preferred.
• Experience in one or more aspects of sponsored program administration in a research environment strongly preferred.
• Experience with accounting systems strongly preferred.
• Preferred Competencies
• Strong computer skills including word processing, database management, and spreadsheet skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable.
• Knowledge of general accounting standards and auditing.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong financial and analytic skills.
• Ability to research issues and propose solutions to problems.
• Demonstrated initiative in improving processes and enhancing systems.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact.
• Familiarity with federal and non-federal grant and contract policies.
• Time management skills and the ability to handle multiple, concurrent tasks within deadlines.
• Ability to work with individuals from across the division and university.
• Working Conditions
• Office environment.
• Application Documents
• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (optional)
• The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
• When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
• Job Family
• Financial Management
• Role Impact
• Individual Contributor
• Scheduled Weekly Hours
• 40
• Drug Test Required
• No
• Health Screen Required
• No
• Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
• No
• Pay Rate Type