Position Summary:
The Grants Manager will be a key member of the grant administration team within the College of Connected Computing (CCC). This position will focus on execution of pre- and post-award activities serving a specified faculty portfolio within the College. It requires exercise of independent judgment, initiative, and decision making and will necessitate a high degree of understanding of university life, policies, and procedures along with external sponsor guidelines and requirements.
Key Responsibilities: Pre-Award Responsibilities:
- Provide policy guidance and assistance with all aspects of proposal development, administrative forms, sponsor-required certifications and representations, and compliance requirements
- Develop an appropriate budget, Principal Investigator checklist, and timeline for each proposal submission
- Work directly with the Principal Investigators & external collaborators, and will interface with central administrative offices to ensure that the applications meet all university, school and sponsor requirements
- Identify and resolve issues during the proposal preparation and submission process
- Ensure school-level approvals are included in proposal attachments
- Facilitate application submission, ensuring deadlines are met
- Respond to sponsor requests and questions
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Post-award responsibilities include:
- Analyze and interpret complex grants and contract specifications, guidelines, and regulations
- Act as a liaison with central administrative offices and external entities to facilitate award management
- Monitor, analyze, and manage budgets and expenditures along with all aspects of the award to ensure compliance with sponsor terms and conditions, Uniform Guidelines, and University policies are maintained
- Create budget reconciliation and forecasting reports and meet regularly with faculty to review their financial situations
- Ensure compliance with requirements such as effort reporting, financial & progress reporting
- Assist in the administrative and financial aspects of annual and final progress reports required by sponsors
- Collaborate with sponsors for appropriate prior approval requests, extensions, budget revisions, and general questions
- Facilitate the setup of outgoing subaward agreements and manage invoice approvals
- Work closely with the central administrative office to coordinate reviews of incoming contract agreements
- Provide interim account setups and courtesy extensions as required
- Human Capital Management (HCM) Costing Specialist, managing payroll
- Complete timely journal entries as necessary, grant closeouts, etc.
- Assist with rate setting/implementation for PI/Faculty Service Center(s)
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Other responsibilities:
- Participate in institutional and College-wide research administration/financial operations training
- Collaborate with research administration team members to share best practices and develop new tools & resources for implementation
- Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have supervisory responsibility; the position reports to the Senior Grants Manager.
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree, preferably in finance, accounting, business, or a related field 3+ years of experience in pre- and post-award management (both federal and non-federal), required; a combination of education and experience may be considered
- Strong administrative support skillsExcellent organizational and time management skillsExcellent written and verbal skills
- Outstanding attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage competing deadlines
- Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills
- Experience working with faculty on complex awards and familiarity with a variety of sponsors
- Advanced understanding of research compliance and sponsor-specific regulations
- Familiarity with the Vanderbilt University grants management ecosystem
At Vanderbilt University, our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice. We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story. Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Full time
Posting Date: 2026-09-17
