Research Administrator.

Summary

Dartmouth College is seeking a Research Administrator to support sponsored research administration. The role manages grant and operating budgets, financial analyses, proposal development, procurement, payroll, compliance, and administrative processes while advising faculty, investigators, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Develops, justifies and administers budgets for grants, reserves and operating budgets. Independently anticipates fluctuations in funding and makes financial recommendations to investigators. Monitors expenses and revenues for accounts, identifying, researching and correcting errors on a timely basis to ensure costs are properly allocated and economies are achieved through the bid process, joint procurement, and pursuing discounts. Collaborates with Office of Sponsored Projects, Geisel, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock to ensure compliance with Dartmouth and granting agency policies. Advises department faculty and staff with respect to those policies. In collaboration with department operations, formulates departmental fiscal and administrative policies and procedures. Performs in-depth analyses of the financial impact of implementing proposed new research projects, terminating existing projects, introducing new research services, etc. Collaborates with principal investigators in developing plans (and contingency plans) to meet identified needs. Develops and sets up budgets for subcontracts; reviews sub-contractor submissions to ensure costs are realistic; directs changes where required. Interprets Dartmouth and sponsor policies to faculty and staff on issues such as allowable costs, charging mechanisms, capital equipment purchases, and use of consultants. Provides principal investigators with regular budget status reports summarizing expenditures to- date and projected expenditures to end of budget period; advises on potential budgetary problems
• Supervises the processing of procurement as it relates to the operating and grant portfolio. Performs continuing review and analysis of accounting practices. Participates in year-end closing process. Prepares payables, deposits, wage transfers and journal transfers. Reconciles monthly reports and resolves discrepancies
• Advises on the framing of grant proposals so as to be responsive to sponsoring agency interests. Assists faculty, Post Docs, students, and senior staff in preparing proposals to funding sources including development of complex budgets for large proposal submission and ensuring completion of all sponsor and Dartmouth administrative requirements. Translates research plans into scope of work; identifies areas (e.g., laboratory costs, manpower, equipment, supplies, communications, transportation, administrative etc.) in which costs will be incurred, develops estimates of such costs, and budgets accordingly. In conjunction with Office of Sponsored Projects, assists faculty with electronic proposal submissions and other electronic research related processes. Serves as a resource to staff and PIs on regulatory, compliance, and sponsor requirements. Organizes training as needed in areas related to compliance and disseminate pertinent regulatory changes. Organizes process improvement and training initiatives related to pre-award and post-award activities. Formulates fiscal and administrative procedures for research programs. Develops responses to issues associated with administration of research activities. Assists with allocating space and equipment, coordinating with other departments and centers when necessary. Procures and oversees maintenance of equipment; sells/disposes of equipment no longer needed. Interacts with representatives of Dartmouth College, Geisel, Dartmouth-Hitchcock, other academic institutions, and private foundations to provide information requested, seek clarification of requirements, and collaborate on issues of mutual interest
• Advises faculty, search chairs, and staff on Dartmouth College and Geisel recruitment policies. Assures compliance with affirmative action requirements. Assists with the recruitment of research staff as required by principal investigators
• Develops and maintains personnel FTE distributions based on grant and department budgets. Manages the payroll authorization and adjustment process for the department. Monitors payroll funding levels; anticipates, identifies potential payroll shortfalls; communicates and advises investigators and department on shortfalls and initiates changes as necessary. Monitors supervisor approval in Kronos. Oversees management of labor suspense and clearing accounts
• Ensures compliance with College, and granting agency fiscal and sponsored research polices and advises research team with respect to these policies. Serves as a resource to investigators and staff on regulatory, compliance, and sponsor requirements. Interacts with representatives from the Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, DHMC , and grant sponsors to provide information requested, seek clarification of requirements, and collaborate on issues of mutual interest. Assists in priority setting and coordination of finance and administrative staff activities to assure that departmental needs, standards, goals, and deadlines are met. Represents the Department on College, Geisel School, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock committees and at other forums
• Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all
• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills

• Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience required to manage complex research projects financially
• Excellent accounting, management, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as a team member
• Willingness and ability to exercise judgment and initiative and professionally interact with faculty, staff, and outside agencies
• Flexibility and openness to change
• Ability to plan work, set priorities, and respond to pressures, deadlines, and changes in schedules and priorities
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of sensitive information
• Proficiency in database management, spreadsheets, and other computer software
• Shows a positive attitude and drive to grow
• Experience in not-for-profit accounting and grants management in an educational and/or research setting preferred
• Familiarity with Dartmouth College accounting systems and procedures

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience required to manage complex research projects financially
• Excellent accounting, management, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as a team member
• Willingness and ability to exercise judgment and initiative and professionally interact with faculty, staff, and outside agencies
• Flexibility and openness to change
• Ability to plan work, set priorities, and respond to pressures, deadlines, and changes in schedules and priorities
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of sensitive information
• Proficiency in database management, spreadsheets, and other computer software
• Shows a positive attitude and drive to grow

Nice to Haves

• Experience in not-for-profit accounting and grants management in an educational and/or research setting preferred
• Familiarity with Dartmouth College accounting systems and procedures

Benefits

• Remote eligible