Research Administrator

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Massachusetts.

📋 Description

• Identify opportunities for proposals and collaborate with faculty to create proposal budgets.

• Oversee subaward proposals and prepare necessary applications.

• Evaluate proposals to ensure compliance with regulations, University policies, program solicitations, and sponsor terms and conditions.

• Manage a diverse portfolio of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

• Track account balances, term dates, and related activities.

• Prepare and submit requests for prior approvals, scope-of-work or PI/key personnel changes, award extensions, budget revisions, and associated fund requests.

• Organize and participate in regular meetings with Principal Investigators to review account balances, activities, projections, and closeouts.

• Coordinate the establishment, monitoring, and invoicing of subrecipients.

• Assist in the submission of progress reports.

• Address issues related to account setup, activities, reporting, closeouts, and audits with Research Finance, Research Administration, and other departments.

• Conduct account reconciliations at the college and department levels.

• Monitor and authorize transactions and supporting documents within Concur, Workday, email, and other platforms.

• Review and approve subrecipient invoices in Workday.

• Prepare and submit documentation for cost transfers.

• Collaborate with PIs and colleges regarding extra compensation planning and requests.

• Generate and distribute monthly activity reports for accounts.

• Analyze financials, burn rates, and projections of accounts, communicating insights to PIs and departments.

• Coordinate effort allocations, modifications, and reporting.

• Provide training and presentations on research administration best practices, policies, and regulations.

• Engage in cross-training initiatives and workgroups as a subject matter expert or end-user.

• Complete professional development and other projects as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or 4–6 years of pertinent work experience.

• Experience in research administration.

• Background in financial analysis.

• Familiarity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Uniform Guidance, or similar regulations.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Exceptional attention to detail.

• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.

• Proven customer service abilities and a service-oriented mindset.

• Capacity to independently learn and utilize various systems, applications, and resources.

• Ability to interact with tact and diplomacy at all organizational levels.

• Capability to create and present training sessions for diverse audiences, whether virtually or in person, including public speaking engagements or recorded sessions.

• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team-oriented environment.

• Flexibility to switch between central and non-central roles, projects, and tasks to meet deadlines.

• Resourceful and willing to support organizational and operational changes.

• Competence in navigating varying levels of ambiguity.

• Ability to foster a culture of service, accountability, and timeliness.

• Commitment to staying informed about federal and sponsor regulations, with the ability to train others on their application.

• Dedication to compliance, stewardship, and continuous improvement.

• Certification as a Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) is preferred.

• Current possession of, or eligibility to obtain, a security clearance is preferred.

• A cover letter is required.

• A resume is required.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical insurance.

• Vision insurance.

• Dental insurance.

• Paid time off.

• Tuition assistance.

• Wellness and life benefits.

• Retirement benefits.

• Commuting and transportation benefits.

• Support for remote work in alignment with University policies and operational requirements.

• Professional development opportunities.

• Training and meetings focused on federal regulations, research administration, and relevant areas.