Senior Grants and Finance Manager - Princeton University

Reporting to the Executive Director, High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI) seeks a highly qualified individual for the role of Senior Grants and Finance Manager.

The Senior Grants and Finance Manager oversees and manages HMEI’s financial resources on a day-to-day basis and works collaboratively with HMEI’s leadership to plan and implement financial strategies that optimize the deployment of resources to benefit and advance HMEI’s strategic and operational priorities. The incumbent will provide leadership in the administration of sponsored research projects including pre- and post-award activities for 25-30 PIs including faculty from 16 academic departments. At present, this includes handling 45 active awards, 120+ projects, and 60-70 pre-award actions annually.

The role also involves business management functions, including budgeting, forecasting, financial controls, compliance, reporting, and procurement. Financial resources falling under the incumbent’s area of responsibility include grants and sponsored research funds; numerous endowed and term funds; HMEI’s administrative allowance; and financial resources related to the Grand Challenges program and collaborations involving other academic units and external constituents.   

The incumbent is expected to perform these responsibilities in a highly independent manner while also maintaining collaborative relationships with HMEI leadership, faculty, and staff as well as colleagues across the University.

The incumbent supervises two grants managers and a financial assistant.

Financial Planning and Management:

• Develop pro-forma annual operating budgets including detail based upon chart of accounts under the direction of the Executive Director.
• Track and monitor expenditures.
• Administer $12 million operating budget including departmental funds, 70+ term/endowed funds, and other sources.
• Manage financial resources for the Grand Challenges program ($3 million) and High Meadows Funds projects (~ $2million annually).
• Administer Grand Challenges faculty research awards (~25 projects awarded annually) and other internally funded research activities.
• Approve labor accounting entries for departmental funds, Grand Challenge funds, and other sources of support.
• Evaluate and recommend capital purchases.
• Approve departmental and research spending in line with budgeted allocations.
• Audit departmental credit card transactions, sponsored research cost transfers, and extraordinary expenses. Prepare and submit journal entries. Develop and maintain internal controls for expenditure review, approval, and reconciliation.
• Support the development and administration of collaborative arrangements, contracts, and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with peer institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
• Provide guidance and interpretation of legal documents and contracts to faculty, focusing on intellectual property, confidentiality, and technology transfer.

Sponsored Research Administration:

• Manage and oversee the administration of interdisciplinary sponsored research/grants. Support faculty in pre-award and post-award activity.
• Assist faculty/PIs in the preparation and submission of research proposals. Prepare budgets and justifications. Serve as liaison to Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA) staff in preparing proposals for submission.
• Ensure University and sponsor guidelines, policies, procedures, and deadlines are
• Facilitate proper award setup and manage sub-awards.
• Develop monthly forecasts, monitor and approve spending, and prepare quarterly financial reports for PIs.
• Ensure accurate charging/accounting of research faculty and staff efforts in Labor Accounting and compliance with effort certification policies.
• Provide required documentation, including financial and progress reports, audit information collection, and ensure timely submission of technical reports.
• Create customized long-term projections of faculty financial portfolios, including both sponsored and non-sponsored accounts.

Staff Supervision:

• Supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate bi-weekly and administrative staff with responsibilities for grant writing/administration and financial accounting/purchasing functions.
• Review, develop, and implement departmental policies consistent with University practices.

Essential:

• 5-7 years of grants experience, including pre- and post-award management of sponsored research proposals and projects.
• Financial management experience with skills in financial analysis, accounting procedures, budget reconciliations, and journal entries.
• Excellent data gathering, organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent judgement, tact, and the ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Comfort with decision-making and problem solving; high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Conscientious, and deadline-driven.
• Capable of thinking at both high and detail-based levels.

Preferred:

• MBA in Finance or Accounting.
• Experience with University systems and software (e.g., PeopleSoft, Prime Financials, Concur, ERA, Labor Accounting, Information Warehouse).
• Familiarity with University resources (ORPA, Finance and Treasury, Sponsored Research Accounting).
• Knowledge of Princeton’s administrative procedures and policies.
• Understanding of NSF, NOAA, other Federal agencies, and Grants.gov guidelines.
• Prior work experience in higher education.
• Supervisory/leadership experience helpful.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS