G&C Pro 4-Pre-Award Admin

Position Overview

The Office of Research & Policy (ORP) supports sponsored funding/research activities within the College of Education & Human Development, which has ten primary units including seven academic departments and three college-wide research centers. The ORP service model provides highly specialized services that are responsive to researchers' individual needs, which may include activity classified as grants, gifts, or external sales. The office's pre-award grant coordinators work independently and make decisions on how best to provide strategic support for the research agendas of the units to which they are assigned. The grant coordinators work one-on-one with faculty to develop grant proposals and serve as the first point of contact for research-related questions in their units.

This position will carry a small, assigned workload, serve as a floater to assist with high workloads in other collegiate units, and assist with complex proposals. The position may be in-person, hybrid, or fully remote with occasional trips to campus for in-person events. Fully remote arrangements will require approval

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities

Pre-award Proposal Development & Preparation (50%)

• Be responsible for preparing and submitting all grant proposals within assigned departments from initiation to submission
• Offer strategic guidance to researchers on issues such as fit with sponsor, submission timing, review panels, project team makeup, cost sharing, etc.
• Coordinate proposal review and presentation
• Work one-on-one with researchers to operationalize research ideas through budgets, personnel planning, and knowledge of departmental and university systems
• Oversee systems entry and approvals (MN-GEMS, ASSIST, Research.gov, etc.)
• Ensure compliance with departmental, collegiate, university, sponsor, and federal grant regulations
• Review, edit, and write elements of proposals as needed
• Build professional relationships with researchers that demonstrate a strong understanding of researchers' interests, needs, and long-term research objectives
• Identify and contribute funding opportunities for CEHD's funding newsletter

Education & Training (30%)

• Mentor other grant coordinators as they build skills for working with complex proposals and with multiple UMN offices
• Serve as a resource for questions from other grant coordinators and assist in troubleshooting unique proposal situations
• Serve as team lead for one or more Office of Research and Policy initiatives
• Evaluate researchers' needs for training and education and develop strategies for meeting those needs
• Consult on and plan CEHD's ongoing "coffee breaks for grants" seminars
• Represent CEHD in the University of Minnesota research community, participating in groups such as the Grants Management Users Network
• Engage in national professional associations such as NCURA, SRA, NORDP, or topic-specific organizations
• Seek out personal professional development opportunities and be well-informed of issues and trends in research administration

Project Management (20%)

• Provide coordination and leadership as needed through the entire grant process from idea to award closeout
• Determine whether a given project is a gift, grant, or external sale in keeping with UMN policy
• Serve as a liaison between researchers and University organizations such as SPA, OVPR, IRB, and the UMF, ensuring that the requirements and timelines of each organization are met while keeping the overall goals of the research project in mind
• Interpret sponsor and University proposal and award guidelines (and the practical impact of those guidelines) to unit staff and leadership
• Analyze what parts of the research project workflow are succeeding and which are not, and work with stakeholders to make changes accordingly

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, plus at least five (5) years of professional experience related to this position, or a combination of education and work experience equal to nine (9) years.
• Strong experience with all aspects of pre-award research administration, including preparing and submitting grant proposals to a variety of sponsors.
• Strong experience with research grants in a university setting.
• Familiarity with proposal systems such as Grants.gov, eRA Commons, and Research.gov
• Ability to work independently and make strategic decisions without supervision.
• Proven good judgment and ability to resolve most problems without assistance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to effectively interface with all levels of the organization.
• Willingness to take ownership of projects, determine the strategies needed to ensure success, and follow those strategies through until project end, making adjustments as needed.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master's or other advanced degree is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with Minnesota Grants Electronic Management System (MN-GEMS), Enterprise Financial System (EFS), UM Reports, and other University of Minnesota systems.
• Familiarity working with the State of Minnesota and sponsors outside of NIH and NSF
• Successful experience consulting with diverse groups on grant requests and funding strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex and sensitive issues.
• Strong leadership skills.

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $80,000.00 to $95,000.00; Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).