Research Business Specialist

The mission of the Research Administration Services Department ( RAS ) is to provide administrative service to principal investigators and University administration in the area of post-award management. The Research Business Specialist will manage a faculty portfolio of varying complexity, aid in interpreting terms and conditions, and regulations, provide guidance to faculty concerning grant compliance matters, provide advanced oversight of financial grant expenditure, communicate proactive financial advice and planning and resolve complicated issues related to post award matters.

You will thrive in this position if you are customer service minded, enjoy working in teams, value collaboration, have technical savvy for sponsored award finance data, are an excellent communicator and have high ethical standards. You must have a strong ability to write well and communicate at a professional level. You also must be able to embrace and participate in change processes, and be dedicated to continual learning and improvement.

COMMUNICATIONS
This position requires exceptional written and verbal communication to clearly communicate with internal and external partners, including faculty, staff and students. This includes establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with demographically and globally diverse populations. The Research Business Specialist will communicate in written, verbal and electronic forms in service of the mission to provide service to university faculty in the post award administration of grants and contracts.

CUSTOMER SERVICE
Customer service is key in this position to provide service to faculty and administration in the management of post award sponsored projects. The Research Business Specialist will spend time in face-to-face meetings (in person or via video conferencing) with faculty, department chairs and administration.

Special Schedule Requirements
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday via a hybrid schedule

EEOC Statement
Illinois Institute of Technology is an EEO /AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ ADA / ADEA employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, inclusion and diversity. It is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and actively seeks applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities regardless of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, age, unfavorable discharge from the military, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation including gender identity and expression, order of protection status, and/or genetic information. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Three to five (3-5) years with experience in research administration and or grant finance.
• Experience with post post-award and familiarity with pre-award.
• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance

Knowledge & Skills

• Experience with Banner, advance knowledge preferable
• Experience with Microsoft Excel (and other Microsoft Office products)
• Proven record of project completion
• Highly flexible and adaptable
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong preference for experience in working in higher education.

SUPERVISION & BUDGET AUTHORITY
No direct supervision responsibilities are assigned to this role.

Physical Environment and Requirements
Normal work environment
Shared work space with other team members
No physical requirements outside of normal work duties.
Must have the ability to travel to various offices across campus for meetings.

Certifications and Licenses

List any certifications or licenses that are either required or helpful in performing the job, designating whether required or preferred.
Certified Research Financial Administrator ( CRFA ) or Certified Research Administrator ( CRA ) preferred but not required.

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibility
Manages day to day monitoring of portfolio-based grants and contracts of varying complexity related to post-award activities throughout the life of the award. Provides guidance to principal investigators in Banner financial processes, and Cognos reports. Helps faculty interpret complex grant and contract agreements.

Percentage Of Time
40

Key Responsibility
Forecasts and planning for PIs award spending. Review grants for deficits/overspending, budget revisions, carry forward requests, requisitions, vendor payments, salary reallocation, closeouts, and ensuring effort reporting is correct and certified on a timely basis. Provide assistance and training to PIs to ensure that costs and expenses meeting Uniform Guidance requirements.

Proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions. Serves as a liaison between PIs, other campus offices for grant and financial issues (i.e., Sponsored Research and Programs, Grant and Contract Accounting and others).

Percentage Of Time
40

Key Responsibility
Preparation of documents to correct transaction problems on grants in relation to ongoing review of expenditures (i.e., payroll and tuition, etc.). Considerable communication and relationship-building with department financial contacts (i.e., coordinator, budget manager) is required to be successful in this key responsibility.

Percentage Of Time
20

Key Responsibility
Responsible oversight and process for all the effort reporting across campus. Requires ongoing meetings with Principal Investigators to ensure that the university is compliant with effort reporting.

Percentage Of Time
15

Posting Information

Work Hours
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Position Category
Full Time

Posting Date
04/24/2024

Closing Date

Posted Until Filled
Yes

Quicklink for Posting
https://iit7.peopleadmin.com/postings/10391