Department Grant Management Specialist, Dedman College
Southern Methodist University Inc

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU:

A nationally ranked private university located near the heart of Dallas, SMU is a distinguished center for global research and teaching.

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Office of Research is responsible for assisting faculty and other researchers in the preparation and submission of research proposals and the administration of awarded grants.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Grant Management Specialist (GMS) reports to the Director of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) in the Office of Research & Innovation but will be housed in Dedman College. This position will provide Pre-award and Post-Award support to research faculty/staff in Dedman from identification of funding opportunities, proposal preparation, financial oversight and management, through project closeout.

The position serves as a liaison between the research faculty/staff, Office of Research & Innovation (ORI), and the Office of Grant & Contract Accounting (GCA). The position works closely with the research faculty/staff to prepare proposal documentation, understand policies and compliance standards in accordance with federal guidelines and University policies.

Essential Functions:

• Pre-Award: Assist with proposal development, develop budgets & budget justifications, & ensuring applications are complete & accurate prior to submission & in accordance with established agency/institutional guidelines. Advises & answers questions from Investigators & research teams relating to pre-award administration & proposal development. Route complete proposal to ORI, SPA team.
• Pre-Award: In partnership with SPA, meet sponsor requirements and deadlines related to progress reports, carryforward, prior approval, and other project requests. Review and assist PI in progress reports, carry forward, prior approval, budget change requests, and no-cost extension requests related to awarded projects and in accordance with sponsor requirements & deadline.
• Pre-Award: In partnership with SPA, respond to sponsor requests for additional information at the just in time (JIT) stage. Reviews, negotiates, and processes incoming awards. Award phase functions include those necessary to establish new grant awards and to ensure a seamless workflow from Pre-Award to Grant Accounting.
• Post-Award: Review terms and conditions for new awards and set up projects in a grant tracking and financial system to track PI spending throughout the life of the project. Monitor post award expenditure activities to ensure compliance for issues involving allowable costs, re-budgeting, reporting requirements, effort monitoring, cost sharing, spending limitations, and research space allocations.
• Post-Award: Responsible for administering and monitoring procedures designed to comply with SMU policies and procedures, and enforce sponsors regulatory requirements. Serve as the point of contact in Dedman College for all post-award grant questions, communications, and inform PI and administrator of institutional research and grant policies, procedure, and process changes.
• Post-Award: Support ORI and GCA with project closeouts in accordance with the sponsor and university closeout guidelines and requirements. Request no-cost extension or amendments as necessary.
• Other: Develop and provide training and outreach to researchers, faculty and administrators on grant submissions clarifying roles and correct research process, and application of appropriate regulations. Assist in providing guidance and training to team members as needed under direction of the Associate Director/Director.
• Other: Participation in required training and professional development opportunities in the field of research administration. Assists with other activities and special projects at the direction of the Associate Director/Director. Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required.

A minimum of three years of work experience in grant management is required. Experience in higher education is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Must also demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing. A strong customer service orientation is essential.

Candidate must demonstrate strong time management, organizational, and planning skills. The ability to manage multiple priorities and excel in a deadline driven environment is essential. Must also be able to work independently and as part of a team with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues. A strong focus on attention to detail and accuracy is essential.

Candidate must have strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills with the ability to identify, analyze problems and devise solutions. Knowledge of common federal sponsored agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH, AHA, DoD, DoE, etc.) with an emphasis in pre and post award grant management, and contract is preferred.

An understanding of Uniform Guidance and federal regulatory compliance requirements including cost accounting principle desired. Certified Research Administrator (CRA) is a plus.

Candidate must demonstrate a strong working knowledge of MS Office (Excel, Word and Outlook). PeopleSoft accounting experience preferred. Familiarity with various eRA systems preferred.

Physical/Environmental Demands:

• Carry/lift 25lbs.
  
• Sit for long periods of time
  

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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