Senior Grants Manager

Position Summary  

Reporting to the Associate Director of Research Administration, the Senior Grants Manager will facilitate the rigorous, compliant, and inspired submission of research grant proposals to extramural sponsors. The Senior Manager will be accountable for managing an extensive portfolio of ongoing and heterogeneous pre-award grant activities within the Climate School’s new and expansive Office of Research, which aims to foster interdisciplinary research collaborations and secure extramural sponsorship for large, medium, and small projects.

The incumbent will deliver high-quality, customer-focused grants management services, interacting with faculty and administrative staff to facilitate sponsored project planning, programming, and comprehensive administration. The Senior Manager must adhere to sponsor and University guidelines and procedures, and maintain an unwavering commitment to customer service, innovation, flexibility, and confidentiality. This important position requires problem-solving skills in a deadline-driven environment.

This position is expected to maintain a physical presence on both the Morningside and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory campuses.

Responsibilities

Pre-Award Administration

• Comprehensively support Climate School faculty in the development, review, and submission of research grant proposals that request $5M+ from federal, state, and city agencies, international organizations, non-profits, and private foundations. Directly manage timelines and the overall progress to ensure the on-time completion of high quality, responsive, and compliant grant proposals. Prepares grant budgets and budget justifications based upon precise review of and responsiveness to RFP technical content requirements, and in full compliance with Columbia’s sponsored project policies. Prepare and coordinate all proposal package components, including budgets, subawards, administrative documents, internal approvals, etc. Working closely with the Associate Director of Research Development, drafts supporting documents for proposal submissions, including letters of collaboration/intent/support, cover letters, facilities statements, mentoring and data management plans, etc. Maintains detailed, up-to-date records of faculty administrative documents, including Biosketches, Current & Pending Support, and COA forms. Provides advice and guidance to researchers on the application of grant funding policies, regulations, and procedures. Develops and generate summary reports of proposals submissions and outcomes to the Associate Director of Research Administration and the Director of Research.

Federal Affairs

• Maintain a rigorous, comprehensive, and up-to-date knowledge of existing and evolving institutional policies and sponsor regulations, with emphasis on the National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Department of Defense. Liaise with other School and University units regarding sponsored projects compliance, finance, or other administrative issues.

Internal Communications

• In concert with the Associate Director for Research Administration and Sponsored Projects Administration, identify and notify the Climate School’s research community about relevant funding opportunities issued by public agencies, private foundations, multi-national organizations, and other non-profits.

Special Projects

• Embark upon strategic, unforeseen, and opportunistic special projects that advance the visibility, nimbleness, and funding potential of the Climate School’s research community, potentially including data analysis and reporting, leading internal working groups, staff recruitment, internal communications, and new program design and launch.

Additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.