Grants and Contracts Manager

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Term: 1 year

This position is being offered as a contract position.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

Responsible for providing expert advice research administration and project management services to UW faculty members who are applying for or hold grant contract or award funding for research related activities.

Grants and Contracts Managers are located in one of four groups within the Office of Research: Research Partnerships International Research and Partnerships Institutional Research and Funding Agencies and Non-Profit Sponsors. Grants and Contracts Managers are expected to develop their skills to at least the proficient level. Advancements to higher levels are in recognition of ability skills that demonstrate expert level knowledge in a range of functional areas as well as increased levels of professional development experience responsibility and initiative. To advance Managers must perform above expectations of current level and meet majority of competencies in the next level. The levels are defined primarily by level of expertise and experience the scope of influence and responsibility (portfolio/section/office of research/university-wide/external) and the complexity and impact of the portfolio. The relative proportion of the various key accountabilities will vary with the sponsor portfolio for which the Pre-Award Manager is responsible.

Key Accountabilities

Support faculty with submission and awarding of grants and contracts

Provide program / sponsor specific review of proposals / applications to faculty members

Edit research proposals and applications for completeness grammar formatting and spelling

Aid faculty members in the establishment and management of budget requirements

Target faculty / proposals needing particular support (e.g. new faculty)

Ensure that proposals conform to UW policies and procedures pertaining to payment terms liability publication licensing and intellectual property rights and overhead

Manage the submission of proposals / nominations in accordance with the policies guidelines and deadlines of the relevant funding sponsor (online and / or by paper) and UW

Act as central point of contact to coordinate and provide proactive and ongoing support for large complex projects deemed of strategic importance to the institution

Manage post-award research administration responsibilities for grants / contracts / awards

Understand university policies and procedures as they relate to research grants and contracts financial management procurement services and human resources

Negotiate and execute (per procedure 1A) all research-related agreements including those with the sponsor collaborating institutions and partner organizations and also data and material transfer agreements etc.

Protect the university from academic reputational and financial risk through careful agreement and contract negotiation balanced by the need to be flexible and responsive to research sponsors while facilitating the research enterprise

Clearly articulate and advise faculty members and/or students of the implications and obligations implied by contract terms and suggesting alternatives when concerns are raised during negotiations

Manage financial set-up and assurances of required certifications (e.g. ethics biohazards) and special risks (e.g. information security controlled goods)

Ensure that annual financial and project progress reports are submitted

Ensure that required agreements are signed by project participants

Provide administrative advice to faculty departments schools and other senior administrators regarding general problem-solving executing amendments to agreements and grants such as date extensions overseeing budgetary reallocations submission of deliverables and progress reports resolution of payment problems and disputes regarding deliverables correspondence with external sponsors to ensure effective performance monitoring of research projects

Ensure adherence to the terms and conditions of the award and ensuring audit requirements are met

Ensure accurate consistent and efficient workflow to best support researchers

Ensure accurate data for institutional analyses

Work with funding sponsors

Participate when sponsors request input on programs

Host sponsor visits when appropriate

Develop relationships with sponsors to enable effective communication when questions or concerns arise

Manage internal funding or nomination programs

Develop and communicate internal competition procedures

Coordinate review panels participate in and document panel decisions

Ensure programs are run in a consistent and transparent fashion

Provide analysis of internal programs to senior management to support strategic decision making

Communications

Promote funding opportunities and report results of competitions to university community

Attend periodic meetings (on- or off- campus) with sponsors and/or other university representatives regarding program guidelines best practices review and reporting procedures and development of proposals

Assist the Communications Officer with the preparation of press releases / writing of public communications

Analyze application submissions / decision results etc. and make recommendations for process improvements

Prepare non-routine reports and undertake special projects from generalized requirements

Develop internal approval forms and sample applications or templates

Participate in university meetings regarding internal nomination procedures for programs within the portfolio

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Education

Completion of an undergraduate degree is required with a Masters degree preferred; or equivalent related education and experience that provides strong knowledge of an academic research environment

Expertise in particular academic disciplines may be desirable for certain sponsor portfolios

Experience

Minimum 4 years demonstrated experience in project management and administration are essential as well as budget development

Proven ability to evaluate and edit grant proposals and negotiate agreements and contracts

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Must have exceptional communication (oral and written) negotiation consultation and presentation skills

Must have strong analytical leadership and organizational skills

Must have demonstrated attention-to-detail and problem solving and ability to work with confidential information

Ability to exercise judgment to understand queries and develop appropriate solutions

Strong proficiency with a variety of computer software applications including word processing spreadsheet database management is required

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research learning teaching and community building and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students faculty and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity anti-racism and inclusion. As such we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized including applicants who identify as First Nations Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit) Black racialized a person with a disability women and/or 2SLGBTQ.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application interview or workplace accommodation requests please contact Human Resources or ext. 45935.