Strategic Business Advisor - Statler College Grants Administration

The Department of Dean's Administration in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Strategic Business Advisor (SBA) for Grants Administration.

About the Opportunity

The Grants Administration Strategic Business Advisor (SBA) supports unit leadership in strategic management of research activities for principal investigators in each unit. The Grants Administration SBA provides a deep functional expertise in the areas of pre-award and post-award grants administration, reporting, and compliance, ensuring principal investigators and unit leadership maintain a knowledge of research activities and expectations for the unit.

This position is responsible for management of projects, timelines, deliverables and other initiatives, as needed. The SBA must successfully implement and interpret federal grant proposal and grants management policies, plans and programs as well as state and other regulatory policies and procedures. Additionally, this position is responsible for building relationships within the college/school or unit(s) served and developing a culture centered on delivering excellent customer service while maintaining compliance with applicable regulations and University policy.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Pre-award Grants Administration Responsibilities:

• Prepare award budgets and submit in WRAP on behalf of faculty researchers.
• Submit award modifications, such as no cost extensions, continuations, and budget modifications, through WRAP.
• Monitor contracts and agreements in negotiation with Office of Sponsored Programs. Provide status updates to principal investigators as needed.
• Ensures all applicable subaward agreements are initiated by the Office of Sponsored Programs and processed to purchase order issuance by Shared Services Center. Initiate requests for new subawards as required.
• Communicate directly with external entities serving as award sponsors, subawardees, or vendors to establish budgets, including cost share obligations. Communicate institutional and federal requirements for invoicing and cost share documentation to external entities and WVU researchers.
• Provide technical support to faculty and research personnel for proposal budget development and the WVU research administration system. Provide guidance to faculty, department chairs, and others on institutional policies and procedures for different funding agencies as their requirements change/evolve.
• Serve as point of contact for faculty and researchers to resolve issues related to award setup in university's financial system.

Postaward Grants Administration Responsibilities:

• Review Notices of Award documentation from sponsors and obtain a thorough understanding of award terms and conditions to provide oversight of financial and programmatic needs for all sponsored projects assigned.
• Manage and analyze project budget and variances, initiating revisions and other corrective action when necessary. Monitor project burn rate and suggest actions to PI to maintain compliance with sponsor guidelines.
• Prepare and distribute monthly financial reports using data provided by SSC and meet regularly with PI to discuss research portfolios and prepare for award closeout.
• Provide guidance and initiate necessary actions for all project status changes and/or extension requests.
• Participate (with organizational leadership) in the development and management of processes and tools to enhance research program effectiveness.
• Review expenditures for compliance with project budget, agency guidelines, and for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness.
• Initiate cost transfers in Mountaineer Marketplace and payroll to correct funding for expenses according to federal and institutional guidelines.
• Coordinate the completion of a diverse range of progress reports and related projects. Advise each principal investigator of due dates for reports to funding agency.
• Review cost share tracking reports and assist PI in documenting committed expenses, including third-party and in-kind cost share.
• Oversee subcontracts and subawards, working with external institutions to determine appropriate budget. Collaborate with OSP and SSC as needed for proper administration of all subawards, contracts, etc. Ensure compliance with PI subrecipient invoice approval requirements.
• Assist faculty and staff investigators with completion of compliance documents, such as, but not limited to, effort reporting, sub-recipient monitoring, salary caps, data protection, and export control issues.
• Coordinate with department staff, Finance SBA, college administration, and SSC to offer purchasing and hiring support to principal investigators.
• Coordinate with college facilities coordinator to properly document and track capitalized assets purchased on research projects.
• Support and contribute to unit's operational goals.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years related professional-level work experience in finance, accounting, and/or fiscal management.
• Experience using a financial ERP, such as Oracle or Workday.
• Established expertise in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Management of business/financial operations and research administration.
• Experience with Huron Research Suite is preferred but not mandatory.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency interpreting applicable state and institutional policies and procedures as well as Uniform Guidance, requests for proposals, and other federal regulations pertaining to sponsored projects.
• Ability to interpret and apply agency guidelines and individual award terms and conditions.
• Ability to inspire teamwork and collaboration across functional areas.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgement to resolve budgeting and other financial issues and determine the appropriate course of action to resolve a customer issue.
• Possesses strong customer service and communication skills typically acquired through prior work in a customer service setting.
• Demonstrated ability to research and apply critical thinking skills to resolve complex issues related to financial projections and budgeting.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with other service team members in the unit, central Finance, OSP, and the Shared Service Center.
• Ability to identify and address areas of continuous improvement.
• Effective organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of Microsoft Office Professional software, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• CRA, CGMA or related certification.
  

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.