Lead GrantContract Administrator, Division of Research & Innovation

Essential Functions:

Award Management & Compliance (Post-Award): Review and interpret grant and contract terms in collaboration with Sponsored Program Administration (SPA). Monitor expenditures for compliance with sponsor guidelines and university policies. Support faculty with financial management including fund transfers payroll allocations and project extensions. Oversee closeout processes to ensure timely and accurate completion. Manage life cycle of the grant.

Faculty Support & Budget Development: Identify funding opportunities and collaborate with faculty on proposal preparation. Develop and review budgets and budget justifications to ensure compliance with sponsor university and regulatory requirements. Submit proposals to SPA for final approval.

Proposal Development & Submission (Pre-Award): Ensure all applications meet sponsor and university guidelines timelines and submission requirements. Coordinate proposal routing approvals and timely submission through institutional systems.

Cost Share & Financial Oversight: Reconcile cost sharing and matching funds to ensure accurate accounting and compliance with sponsor and university commitments.

Process Improvement & Policy Development: Develop implement and continuously improve pre- and post-award policies procedures and workflows to enhance efficiency and compliance.

Training & Consultation: Provide training and guidance to faculty and staff on grant policies systems and best practices. Serve as a subject matter expert on grant administration and compliance requirements.

Institutional Engagement: Represent the division on university committees and contribute to cross-functional initiatives related to research administration.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign direct and control the work of employees under their supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

Bachelors degree in business or related field or an equivalent combination of experience and education. Masters Degree preferred.

Experience Specialist: Intermediate (3 to5 years job-related experience).

Minimum of 3-5 years experience related to grant and contract pre and/or post award activities and oversight and preferably in a Deans Office or large research department.

Experience with research administration systems (e.g. Cayuse Banner iLab).

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).

Strong financial analysis and budget development skills.

Ability to interpret sponsor guidelines (NIH NSF etc.).

Project Management: Ability to independently manage a variety of projects while ensuring appropriate tracking quality control follow-up and multiple deadlines are met. Strong time management.

Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly concisely and professionally both orally and in writing. Strong presentation and training skills.

Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office tools including Microsoft Word Excel and PowerPoint. Extensive knowledge of Banner FMS COGNOS Cayuse Research Suite and WSU Researcher Dashboard preferred.

Planning and Organizational Skills: Demonstrated capacity for multi-tasking flexibility in face of changing priorities and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Prioritize and plan work activities; adapt to changing conditions and develop strategies to achieve organizational goals.

Management Skills: Outstanding strategic thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. Demonstrating success in training staff in methods and procedures. Strong mentoring and coaching skills. Proven ability to motivate people and foster collaborations and inspire confidence to meet common objectives.

Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret and analyze financial reports or other quantitative reports and compile data if necessary in clear and concise format for management decision making.