Grants Manager (Institute for RNA Innovation) - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Grants Manager (Institute for RNA Innovation)





Job Profile Title

Grants Manager B





Job Description Summary

Under limited supervision from the Manager of Administration and Finance, this position will manage all post-award activities for the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation. Responsible for the overall financial management of an assigned grant portfolio and other financial matters of the Institute. Assists with proposal development, budget development and related pre-award activities for diverse sponsor portfolio. Manage post-award activities including account set up, monitor and review all sponsored project expenditures, and fund projections. Monitor and enforce compliance with sponsor guidelines and meet with principal investigators to discuss and advice on any financial issues related to their portfolio. Actively participates in specific projects and will be greatly involved in more complicated grants, including federal, industry, training grants, and program projects with multiple sub-contracts. This position will be responsible for the supervision and professional development of one direct report. This position will work closely with the Office of Research Support Services, and the Office of Research Services post-award team.





Job Description


Responsibilities




Oversee post-award grants management activities on complicated grants, including but not limited to:



+ Industry-sponsored, investigator-sponsored, program projects, and training grants.


+ Ensure Principal Investigators (PIs) are adhering to budgets and sponsor regulations.


+ Oversee account generation, monitor expenditures, invoicing, and execute account closeout.


+ Maintenance of salary allocations.





Preparation of monthly reports on all sponsored projects for Principal Investigators (PIs).




Manage and prepare financial analysis and conduct monthly meetings with PIs to review grant funds and provide quarterly forecasts.




New award set up including budget entry journals, subcontract initiation and processing for all sponsored projects. Directly responsible for management of grant effort as well as maintaining salary grids, and closeout of all grants.




Preparation of annual sponsored programs budgets as well as participation in the annual budget process. Assist with large, complex grant mechanism submissions, such as T32s and P01s. Process biannual effort reporting.




Provide purchase order and travel reimbursement approvals.




Supervise one direct report.



+ Ensure that all grant activities are completed accurately and in a timely manner.


+ This includes the development and implementation of training opportunities for skill development that promote research professional staff career advancement.





Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.




Qualifications




Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting with 5 to 7 years of experience in pre- and post-award research administration or equivalent combination of education and experience required.




Ability to maintain confidentiality with respect to highly sensitive data required.




Proven ability to handle complex portfolios. Experience in University research and financial systems, including Business Objects/Data Warehouse, Workday, BEN Financials strongly preferred. Experience with administering highly complex grants, contracts and sponsored agreements strongly preferred. Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, and data warehouse systems required with additional computers skills a plus. Must demonstrate attention to detail and proactive work style. Strong interpersonal skills, organizational and writing skills desired.






Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.






Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine





Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $80,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.




Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.