University of Chicago Hiring for Grants & Contracts Associate at Chicago, IL Full Time

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) works with the Chicago Economics community to turn its evidence-based research into
real-world impact. BFI takes a unique approach to bridging the divide between academic researchers and decision-makers in the business
community and government by translating and packaging the rigorous work of the Chicago Economics community into accessible formats, and
proactively sharing those findings with relevant decision-makers and thought leaders around the globe. BFI is a collaborative platform
serving the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public
Policy, and the Law School. For more information visit https://bfi.uchicago.edu.

Job Summary 

The job provides professional support for
pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals and funding within a department or unit. Pre-award
activities include research, preparing applications, and editing proposals. Post-award activities include compliance monitoring, payment
processing, and salary allocations. Performs work with moderate guidance and utilizes knowledge of University and business drivers.

Responsibilities

• Monitors spending on all federal, non-federal, and internal grant accounts.
  Analyzes monthly financial reports and ledgers for accuracy, recommends and initiates action to correct discrepancies and follow-up until
  resolved. 
• Prepares drafts of financial sections for components of grant and supplement applications, including draft budgets
  and budget justifications. Coordinates with sub-award administrators to assist with preparation of financial materials for all major
  grant-related activities.
• Manages the execution of Subawards, Sponsored Consulting Agreements, and Subaward Amendments.
• Processes cost and payroll transfers.
• Pre award activities includes reading proposal guidelines; collecting, composing, and/or
  preparing administrative components of proposal submissions; preparing applications, developing and preparing budgets, and monitoring
  regulatory compliance requirements.
• Post award activities includes account creations, regulatory and compliance monitoring, salary
  allocations, effort reporting, grant projections, cost allocations, cost center charges, equipment inventory, invoice preparation, grant
  closing process, and account closing.
• Partners with University Research Administration (URA) to monitor pre- and post-award
  activities, such as timely submission of applications and progress reports (RPPRs); requests for no-cost extensions; obtaining sponsor
  approvals for major changes to project work scope or major changes to anticipated expenditures, etc.
• Works closely with the Senior
  Grants Manager to collect grant data for the annual budget.
• Processes BFI internal (unrestricted) grants such as the BFI Data and
  Research Awards. 
• Works directly with the faculty and research staff to seek new avenues for funding and new grant
  opportunities.
• Ensures that notices of relevant new funding opportunities for research programs are brought to the attention of the
  faculty.
• Gathers needed documentation, manages and coordinates with University Research Administration (URA), the execution of
  Subawards, Sponsored Consulting Agreements, and Subaward Amendments.
• Works with a broad array of sponsors, interpreting regulations
  and guidelines of multiple program funding with broad and complex guidelines for spending.
• Ensures all applications meet agency and
  University guidelines.
• Works directly with the PI to develop proposal budgets, in accordance with the needs of the research plan
  and Agency and Institutional Requirements.
• Responsible for timely submission of applications, renewal/continual amendments,
  ensuring timely submission of technical reports, just-in-time submissions, no-cost extensions, and Agency required re-budgeting.
• Coordinates with other departments/units/division regarding multi-investigator grant submissions.
• Responsible for all data
  entry and preparation of grant reports and trend analysis.
• Interacts with University Research Administration, faculty, postdocs,
  and pre/post-award colleagues from other departments and sections, and Financial Services Office personnel.
• Handles post award
  activity including providing details for account creation, regulatory and compliance monitoring, salary allocations and effort reporting,
  grant projections, cost allocations, cost center charges, equipment inventory, prepare and submit interim closing memos for interim
  financial reports, and prepare and submit final closing memos for final financial reports and close out of accounts.
• Prepares
  detail expense budgets based on awarded funds from the agency.
• Allocates, authorizes, monitors, and controls expenses.
• Maintains accounts including oversight, reconciliation, and error correction.
• Performs financial forecasting.
• Coordinates submission of closing memos to ensure timely submission of FSR.
• Understands regulations and guidelines related to
  various awarding agencies.
• Prepares summaries of grants and effort allocations for Principal Investigators.
• Meets
  regularly with Principal Investigators regarding grant portfolio and expense allocation.
• Responds to Principal Investigators
  questions.
• Coordinates with other departments/units/division regarding multi-investigator grants.
• Communicates status of
  faculty accounts to supervisor and other appropriate parties on a regular basis.
• Interacts with University Research Administration,
  faculty, postdocs, grad students, departmental HR and post-award colleagues, and pre/post-award colleagues from other departments and
  sections, and Financial Services Office personnel.
• Reviews all applications against University guidelines, in addition to drafting
  progress reports, non-competing applications, amendments, and budgeting. Responsible for all data entry and preparation of grant reports and
  trend analysis.
• Prepares summaries of grants and effort allocations for Principal Investigators, meets with them and responds to
  their questions. Coordinates with other departments/units/divisions regarding multi investigator grants. Serves as department contact for
  annual audits and agency site visits.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred
Qualifications

Experience:

• Progressively responsible grant/contract and financial
  administration in an academic setting.
• Experience with budgets, ledgers, invoices, and fiscal reporting.
• Experience in one
  or more aspects of sponsored program administration in a research environment.
• Experience with accounting systems.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Work experience with grant preparation, including pre- and post- award in a
  research environment.
• Computer skills including word processing, database management, and spreadsheet skills.
• Knowledge of
  federal and non-federal grant and contract policies.
• Working knowledge in administration, accounting or grant and contract.
• Experience with University research, financial and HR/payroll systems including FAS, AURA, Business Objects.
• Knowledge of
  procurement and finance systems.
• Knowledge of general accounting standards and auditing.
• Demonstrated initiative in
  improving processes and enhancing systems.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent oral and
  written communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Flexible and adaptable work style.
• Strong organizational
  skills.
• Strong financial and analytic skills.
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and tact.
• Excellent
  independent time management skills along with the ability to handle multiple and concurrent tasks within deadlines.
• Knowledge of
  research methods and funding sources.

Working Conditions

• Standard office
  environment.
• Sit for 2 to 4 hours.
• Walk to various on-campus locations.

Application
Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References Contact
  Information (required)

Posting Statement 

Employees must comply with the
University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.The University of
Chicago is an Affirmative
Action/Equal
Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other
protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request
via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places
the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform
and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that
includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University
considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the
proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.