Senior Grants Manager - Penn Engineering Financial Services - Research Services Post Award

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

Senior Grants Manager - Penn Engineering Financial Services - Research Services Post Award

Job Profile Title

Business Manager C

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Directors, Post-Award, the Senior Grants Manager will oversee research administration for a core research portfolio in Penn Engineering, including an annual budget of $10M in grants, gifts, and contracts. Provide expert-level review of SEAS research funding on a monthly basis and deliver comprehensive financial and operational oversight. Responsibilities include supporting the annual sponsored project budget process; monitoring, managing, projecting, and reporting expenses throughout the year; and proactively resolving complex financial issues as they arise.

The Senior Grants Manager will serve as a trusted partner to faculty and fellows in managing the financial aspects of their research portfolios. This includes providing strategic guidance on funding issues and leading the administration of the most complex awards, such as NIH training grants, Center grants, U-series awards, and large program project grants with multiple subcontracts.

Core responsibilities include:
1. Ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines, OMB Uniform Guidance, and institutional policies.
2. Maintaining and reviewing salary grids to ensure accurate compensation for faculty and staff.
3. Reviewing and pre-certifying effort reports for faculty and staff.
4. Providing administrative oversight for procurement, reimbursements, and related transactions.

Additional duties may include supporting business services (computing, facilities, recruitment); coordinating with U.S. and global collaborators; and overseeing submissions for material transfers, IRB, and IACUC.

At the senior level, the Grant Manager is expected to demonstrate deep subject-matter expertise, anticipate and resolve funding challenges, and act as the primary resource for complex grants administration within SEAS. The Senior Grant Manager will also serve as a resource and mentor to junior administrators by sharing best practices and providing guidance on difficult cases.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Independently manage all post-award activities, including account setup, expenditure monitoring, and long-range projections.  Subject matter expert for NIH Program Project Grants, Training Grants, and other Center grants including reporting via RPPR and FRRP systems. 
• Maintain and review salary grids to ensure accurate compensation for faculty and staff.
• Review and pre-certify effort reports for assigned faculty and staff.   Manage ERS system assignments for team.
• Identify, advise directors and execute process changes to promote efficiency within the Post-Award service area. Support and enable initiatives for process improvement.
• Provide administrative oversight for procurement, reimbursements, and related transactions.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science and 5 to 7 years of post award experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience with NIH Program Project Grants, Training Grants, and other Center grants including reporting via RPPR and FRRP systems preferred. Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Pay Range

$91,000.00 - $105,000.00 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, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

• Special Requirements 
• Background checks may be 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