Grants & Finance Manager

Job Description

The Grants & Finance Manager is integral to fostering an environment and culture conducive to advancing genomics-related research excellence within the New York Genome Center ("NYGC"). This role oversees the administration of grants and sponsored research for the New York Genome Center, serving as a key resource for Principal Investigators (PIs) and scientific staff. The incumbent will manage a diverse portfolio of funding sources, including government and foundation grants, restricted gifts, fellowships, and startup packages. This position may also manage NYGC programs, sequencing contracts and large initiative funds. The role will serve as an adviser to the PI and/or program management and help setup spending plans that will maximize restricted fund spending. The incumbent will liaise with departmental counterparts at a faculty member's home institution to streamline effort, spending and other financial planning. Reporting to the Director of Research Administration, this role is responsible for proposal submissions, award management, related deliverables, including effort reporting, quarterly expense validations, annual and quarterly fiscal reports, project closeout and monitoring expenses in accordance with Institutional and sponsor compliance requirements.

Key Responsibilities include (but not limited to):

Pre-award Activities:

• Prepare and submit grant and contract proposals according to sponsor guidelines on behalf of NYGC as the Signing Official.
• Review Funding Opportunity (FOA) guidelines thoroughly and communicate key details with PIs and research staff. Provide summaries and checklists of required documents based on FOA requirements.
• Develop proposal budgets and compile necessary documents for prime and subawards following sponsor and institutional requirements.
• Maintain updated records of current and pending awards, biosketches, and other support documents for PIs.
• Review and submit Just-in-Time documents per sponsor requirements.

Award Setup and Management:

• Coordinate new award account setup and modifications, ensure database records are up to date.
• Review and communicate the award terms and conditions, including effort commitment, deliverable requirements and scientific overlap.
• Meticulously review terms and conditions outlined in agreements, and negotiate with sponsors in close collaboration with legal team as needed. Provide official sign-off to ensure compliance and alignment with organizational policies and objectives.
• Manage reduction in budget and re-budgeting processes as necessary. Review and submit Prior approval requests to sponsors as needed.
• Review and submit timely non-competing progress reports in accordance with sponsor terms.
• Manage subaward agreements for Principal Investigators (PIs). Oversee subrecipient monitoring and support PIs in effectively communicating with prime and/or subaward organizations, collaborators, and other stakeholders regarding the execution and management of subawards.

Financial Management:

• Maintain accurate budget vs. actual reports for all funding sources available to PIs.
• Monitor and review expenditures; review and update financials and projections in portfolio workbooks monthly; and provide monthly reporting and continuous PI communication.
• Fiscal and Grant Project budgeting, including collaborating with PIs on budget forecasting and spending projections.
• Monitor subaward progress and invoicing to subrecipients where NYGC is the prime recipient institution.
• Review purchase orders, Concur reimbursement requests, invoices for compliance with grant/funding terms, and NYGC's internal expense policies.
• Closely monitor effort reporting, including facilitating PI sign-off for effort reporting cards for grant-funded personnel.
• Perform annual, quarterly, and closeout programmatic and financial reporting for the funding sponsor, as required.

Administration and Project Management:

• Track, manage, and report on specific funding sources, including sequencing-related contracts.
• Develop and maintain financial master workbooks for each faculty and funding source.
• Create and maintain Cost Transfer Justifications for audit purposes.
• Implement and maintain an effort reporting process and quarterly PI expense validations.
• Stay updated on compliance requirements associated with federal, state, and private funding.

The highly qualified candidate will have senior-level responsibilities that require independent management of pre-award and post-award financial management. The successful candidate will play a vital role in our team, contributing expertise in both areas while demonstrating strong leadership and organizational skills. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to meet the evolving needs of the organization.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a business-related field (e.g., accounting, finance, economics) is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification is preferred.
• Seven or more years related pre and post-award or budgeting financial experience required, including:
  • 3+ years of recent experience with financial administration of NIH grants.
  • Experience with NSF, US DOE, and US DOD preferred.
• Proficiency with general and non-profit accounting principles.
• Experience with internal and external audits.
• Strong understanding of research compliance issues, federal agency practices, regulations, and policies, including the Uniform Guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with PIs, research staff, and funding agencies.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively, collaboratively, and diplomatically with PIs and senior administrators required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; demonstrated proficiency in Excel and web-based tools.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NYGC we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Competencies

• Technical and Professional Skills: Consistently demonstrates skills and knowledge relevant for current role; strives to expand the depth and breadth of technical and professional skills; works with a high level of integrity; exhibits focus and discipline; appropriately prioritizes, manages expectations, and delivers on commitments.
• Collaborative & Communicative: Models collaboration and teamwork; brings out the best in others; effectively works with all levels, internally and externally; respects and embraces diversity of perspective; communicates clearly and listens carefully; uses good judgment as to what to communicate and when to do so.
• Adaptable & Innovative: Adaptable and embraces change; develops new insights and pursues improvements and efficiency; fosters exchange of new ideas and willing to challenge the status quo; takes initiative and is solution-oriented; engages in work with passion and curiosity.

Salary & Benefits

The pay range for this position is between $115,000 - $125,000 per year; the base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

In addition, NYGC offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits as well as generous time off. This includes Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Holidays, Sick, and Other Leave, including a paid winter break; a 401(k) match; Life Insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; employee Tuition Reimbursement; flexible schedules and telework options for some positions; an Employee Assistance Program; and much more.