The Post-Award Sponsored Projects Specialist (Research Grants Specialist III, 'RGS III') will play a vital role in supporting post-award project management from award notification to closeout, and will be directly accountable for ensuring timely and appropriate set-up and administration of research/academic accounts, tracking allowable spending thresholds, and reporting per sponsor/donor requirements. 

Under general supervision, the RGS III works with the Associate Director of Research Operations and Principal Investigators (PIs) in the oversight of all post- award grant administration processes of dedicated departments. Serves as key liaison between departments, research groups, Office of Research Administration (ORA), and accounting and finance departments. Performs post- award administrative functions, including preparing and/or reviewing budgets to ensure completeness and accuracy using knowledge of grant budgets, expenditure restrictions, and grant accounts. Monitors expenses, performs reconciliations and research related financial reporting of federal and non-federal grants and ensure compliance with all federal, state and local agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense (DOD), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Institutional Review Board.  Prepares and routes internal documents for signature and processing, works with PI's and ORA staff to submit all deliverables in a timely manner including: FFR's, No Cost Extensions, Carry Forward of Funds, executing subcontracts, etc.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Independently performs all pre-award and post-award monthly financial projections, account reconciliations, cost transfers, progress reports, budget changes, salary allocation reviews, time and effort management reporting, purchase order reconciliation, and monitoring milestones for multiple project, infrastructure, and multi-center grants. 

• Performs financial analysis and forecasting to identify relevant factor variances, formulate logical conclusions and devise alternate solutions as necessary.  

• Reviews grant applications and post award management activities, develop logical solutions to difficult, unusual, or first-time problems, and provides solutions for action to leadership. 

• Manages all deliverables including invoices and subcontract paperwork, complex financial reporting processes and fiscal responsibility for salary, supply costs, subcontracts. 

• Mentors and trains grant management staff.

MINIMUM: Bachelor's degree

MINIMUM:

* Seven to ten years of progressively increasing pre- and post-award research grant experience or equivalent of education and experience.

* Possesses a working knowledge of Federal and State pass-thru agency requirements and cost principles circulars.

* Demonstrated proficiency in maintaining complex financial reporting processes and fiscal responsibility for salary, supply costs, and subcontracts.

* Prior experience independently reviewing grant application and post-award management activities, developing new process improvements and providing recommendations to leadership.

PREFERRED:

* Knowledge of Cedars-Sinai policies and procedures.