Manager, Research Administration - Core Admin

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The Department of Medicine is among the top ranked departments for NIH funding in the nation, internationally recognized in diverse areas such as diabetes, lipid metabolism, cancer biology, human genetics, developmental biology, immunology, data sciences and outcomes research.

As a member of the pre-award team, the Manager of Research Administration contributes to department's research mission by supporting grant-related pre-award administrative activities. In this role, the Manager of Research Administration will leverage their expertise in pre-award grant administration and their strong organizational and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate will provide coaching, feedback, and guidance to support other team members' development and collaborate on continuous improvement efforts and support change management. In addition, the Manager will perform the full scope of pre-award grant management for a complex portfolio of proposals.

To be successful in this role, the Manager should be able to apply their expertise in pre-award grant administration knowledge and an interest and aptitude for coaching and leading others. The Manager should be enthusiastic about building relationships and working closely with principal investigators to contribute to the advancement of research.

Responsibilities

Pre-Award Grant Administration

• Lead the development and submission of federal, state, and foundation grants, including complex mechanisms (e.g., training, career development, center grants).
• Manage proposal timelines, team communications, and submission workflows to ensure timely, high-quality, and compliant applications.
• Identify funding opportunities and provide strategic support to investigators throughout the application process.
• Prepare detailed budgets, budget justifications, and supporting documents (e.g., letters of intent, facilities / resources, letters of support).
• Maintain and update PI documentation (e.g., Other Support, Biosketches), track submissions, and assist with Just-in-Time (JIT) requests and progress reports.
• Ensure complete and organized award files; manage subcontracts and collaborative components.
• Develop and maintain standardized tools and resources (e.g., budget templates, checklists, shared filing systems).
• Mentor researchers and junior staff on grant policies, procedures, and best practices.

Strategy and Continuous Improvement

• Partner with departmental leadership to enhance grant administration processes, policies, and service delivery.
• Stay informed on sponsor guidelines and federal regulations; disseminate updates and guidance to the team.
• Complete all required institutional and departmental trainings.

People and Stakeholder Management

• Provide coaching and feedback to junior staff; foster team alignment, communication, and professional development.
• Build strong working relationships with faculty and internal stakeholders, including Sponsored Projects Administration and Finance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in pre-award grant administration.
• Demonstrated expertise in all aspects of pre-award grant management, including familiarity with NIH systems (eRA Commons, ASSIST, RePORTER), complex budgeting, subawards, and deadline-driven submissions.
• Proven ability to coach and guide others in grant administration.
• Strong independent work ethic and ability to manage multiple high-complexity projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) or similar software, with a willingness to learn new systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with senior faculty and leadership.
• High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, with a focus on building collaborative relationships.
• Commitment to customer service and inclusive workplace practices.
• Dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or a business-related field such as finance, accounting, business administration, public health, or public administration.

Other Requirements

• Successful completion of applicable compliance and systems training requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.