Sr Grants Manager

09-Sep-2022

Harvard Kennedy School

59894BR

Position Description

The Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School has an immediate opening for an experienced Grants Manager dedicated to supporting Shorenstein Center faculty PIs and their sponsored research portfolios. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Administration, this position encompasses a full range of administrative, financial, and other tasks associated with Pre & Post-Award activities and services, including reviewing sponsored award terms, creating financial deliverable schedules, completing timely and accurate financial reports and invoices, and reconciling and closing accounts. They will work with multiple sources of funding including federal restricted funds, non-federal restricted grants, gifts and contracts, and unrestricted funds. The Sr Grants Manager will serve as the pre- and post-award expert, ensuring that the Center’s sponsored research grants are accurate, timely, and in accordance with Harvard University, Harvard Kennedy School, and regulatory financial policies and procedures and with sponsor terms.

Pre-award responsibilities:

• Work directly with faculty principal investigators and program staff to support proposal preparation and submission, including developing budgets, budget justifications, supporting documentation, and required institutional information
• Serve as the Shorenstein Center’s expert for information on complex University and sponsored fiscal policies and procedures. Interpret guidelines and polices, advise faculty, staff and/or students
• Collaborate with HKS Research Administration Office (RAO) and the University Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) to resolve issues/questions that occur during the internal review and approval process through submission to sponsor
• Liaise with central administrative and compliance offices to ensure proposals meet all university, school, and sponsor requirements

Post-award responsibilities:

• Monitor expenditures, account balances, and receivables; perform spending projections; reconcile accounts monthly and at award end
• Interprets complex sponsored regulations, guidelines, award terms and conditions, and award notices and agreements, as well as financial data, to assess and resolve complex issues
• Work closely with OSP to set-up new sponsored accounts, maintain accurate financial records, prepare financial reports and invoices, and close out projects
• Verify payroll allocations and coordinate changes to allocations on sponsored awards. Review effort statements to ensure accuracy before release to PI certifiers
• Responsible for subrecipient monitoring and invoice processing for sub-awards
• Assist in developing financial reports for use in planning and decision making; meet regularly with faculty PIs to review their accounts; notify PI and the Director of Finance and Administration about projected shortfalls and develop contingency plans
• Ensure compliance with effort, financial, and progress reporting
• Other duties as assigned

Other

• Creates internal guidelines to ensure compliance with University and sponsor regulations
• Takes the lead on identifying, suggesting, and implementing process improvements to promote efficiency
• Develop business processes and standard operating procedures for staff to follow, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Provide Post-Award subject matter expertise with a focus on customer service
• Analyzes data and provides metrics for team and clients
• Facilitates the resolution/escalation of complex issues across internal/external units
• Proactively educates colleagues and departments on policies, processes, and best practices through daily interactions and training initiatives

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
• Working knowledge of OMB circulars, 2 CFR Part 220, 2 CFR Part 215, and FAR
• Working knowledge of federal (e.g. NSF and NIH) and non-federal sponsors’ policies and procedures, and current issues in sponsored research administration
• Strong skills in MS Excel, MS Word, Adobe, and ability to learn new software and systems

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide Visa Sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment references and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.

This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA.  As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements . Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage

Salary Range: $70,800 – $119,000
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate’s relevant experience, and internal equity. 

Harvard Kennedy School’s Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership—because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies.
Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. Our teaching, research, and engagement with practitioners focus on these priorities:

• Protecting security, freedom, and human rights
• Strengthening democracy
• Advancing social justice
• Increasing economic well-being
• Enhancing sustainability
• Improving public leadership and management

You can be part of this endeavor. Explore and learn more about Harvard Kennedy School .

Harvard offers a generous benefits package including:

• Time Off: 3- 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 11.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.
• Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans, all coverage begins as of your start date.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.
• Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.
• Wellness Options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation and complimentary health services.
  Harvard access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.

Location

USA – MA – Cambridge

Job Code

F1457P Research Admin III Ps

Department

Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy

Union

00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership—because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies.

Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School’s commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.