Financial Research Project Manager - College of Engineering

The Financial Research Project Manager (RPM) provides day-to-day budget management of a complex portfolio of scientific research projects working closely with college faculty and senior research scientists to coordinate multiple research projects.

The RPM also plays a leading role in the preparation and submission of scientific proposals to external sponsors, including federal, state, and local government agencies, industry, and foundations.

This position does not participate in the scientific research of any project.

A successful RPM will be capable of coordinating complex expenditure planning for multiple research projects, forecasting, and recommending appropriate solutions for staff funding shortfalls, and purchasing or travel complications.

This individual does not typically execute financial transactions, but reviews and approves / declines project-related expenditures in consultation as needed with the projects principal investigator (PI).

The RPM will possess strong organizational skills with emphasis on attention to detail and writing proficiency; be a quick learner;

and possess excellent interpersonal skills to work with faculty, research scientists, university administrators, and program managers in the US and abroad.

The Financial Research Project Manager reports to the Post Award Manager in the Walter Scott, Jr, College of Engineering at the Colorado State University.

Remote work is negotiable depending on the experience of the candidate. Remote work candidates will be considered, however periodic on-campus presence may be necessary staff retreat) but not on a regular basis.

Therefore, candidates are expected to commute to Fort Collins when necessary. Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelors degree8 years of work experience or a CRA certification (with a High School Diploma) will be considered in lieu of a bachelors degree.
• Two years of related professional experience
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date. The department will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Proven effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated time management skills essential to meeting critical deadlines.
• Advanced knowledge of office productivity software including MS Office (specifically Excel), data retrieval Oracle, Access, or other database management software), report preparation Excel pivot tables or comparable experience), and Adobe Acrobat.
• Familiarity with Federal Cost Accounting Standards and Uniform Guidance requirements.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Experience forecasting and managing project staffing and budgets.
• Familiarity with the administrative activities associated with the scientific research process.
• Experience with Kuali Financial System Information (KFS) and Kuali Research Proposal Development (KR / PD) systems.
• Experience with the preparation of scientific research proposals including budget development.
• Certification in Research Administration such as CRA, CPRA, and / or CFRA.
• Past Experience building strong work relationships with customers based on subject-matter knowledge and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of customers / colleagues.

Diversity Statement Personal and professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by involvement in teaching, research, creative activity, service to the profession and / or diversity / inclusion activities.

Essential Duties Job Duty Category Project Management Duty / Responsibility

• Management of a diverse research funding portfolio including federal, state, local government, foreign government, private sector, and non-profit agency grants, contracts, and cooperative agreement funding.
• Makes day-to-day project expenditure decisions, based on a familiarity with project objectives and available funding, consulting with the project PI, OSP, and others as needed.
• Interacts with program managers, contracting staff, and scientific leadership at external funding agencies to address questions and resolve problems related to project staffing, budget categories, contracting issues, project status updates, requests for project extension or supplemental funding, and project reporting.
• Works with scientist and administrators from other US and international institutions to coordinate joint research efforts.

Leads planning for complex, international research field deployments. Researches and finds solutions to institutional or governmental hurdles internal equipment transport and customs requirements) that might otherwise prevent or impede successful accomplishment of research objectives.

This frequently involves working with the Office of Sponsored Programs and other administrative offices at CSU.

• Participates in NCURA professional meetings and / or other professional growth opportunities to promote improved job knowledge and performance.
• Interacts with program managers, contracting staff, and scientific leadership at external funding agencies to address questions and resolve problems related to project staffing, budget categories, contracting issues, project status updates, requests for project extension or supplemental funding, and project reporting.
• In coordination with RBO accounting tech and PIs, set-up and administer sales and service accounts to support department provision of scientific services to internal and external clients.

Research and project future activity levels. Coordinate with customers on project management, schedule, and deliverables.

• Manage the award of graduate student fellowships and grants, dealing with complex, sometimes conflicting guidelines, associated with student receipt of multiple award types.
• Note : Customers, collaborators, subawardees, subcontractors, sponsors, etc. may be federal, state, local or foreign governments, private sector companies, or non-profits.

Percentage Of Time 40% Job Duty Category Proposal Submissions Duty / Responsibility Proposal submissions, as needed to support the pre-award team.

• Researches and coordinates preparation of scientific research proposals to federal sponsors including, but not limited to, the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the National Park Service.
• Prepares proposals for state, local, international government funding.
• Prepares proposals for industry, foundation, non-profit, and other potential sponsors.
• Investigates availability of funding programs, and research submission, compliance, and project cost share requirements.
• Consults with sponsor representatives.
• Prepares proposal budgets and draft budget justifications, ensuring compliance to application requirements including allowability and allocability of anticipated costs.
• Coordinates and recommends solutions for project cost share requirements.
• Coordinates budget and application requirements across multiple CSU colleges and / or other institutions for collaborative projects.
• Coordinates directly with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to meet submission requirements.

Percentage Of Time 5% Job Duty Category Financial Management Duty / Responsibility

Designs and implements models to forecast expenditures on existing projects and the likelihood of future funding via pending or planned research proposals.

Identifies gaps in future funding and help identify future funding opportunities.

• In coordination with RBO accounting tech and PIs, researches costs of provided services and sets appropriate charge rates.
• Ensures the award of graduate student fellowships and grants are charged to the appropriate funding source. Prepares and administers graduate student funding plans.
• Manages the cost share associated with awards from budgeting through tracking and verifying
• Works with faculty to ensure the subawards are paying invoices in a timely manner, and as needed, meets with subawardees to discuss administrative details / requirements.
• Works with College of Engineering Development staff and PIs to plan and manage research projects funded through department, college, and university development efforts.
• Prepares and recommends staffing plans for individual faculty research groups. Using funding forecasts, makes recommendations to faculty, the director of RBO, and department heads regarding needed changes in scientific staffing.

This may include the recommendation to hire or change the funding source of research associates, research scientists, post docs, and graduate students.

In coordination with RBO accounting tech and PIs, designs business plans to acquire, appropriately utilize, maintain, and replace scientific equipment.

Analyzes equipment use in support of funded research activities. Builds models to support recharge centers (21s) and lab services (22s), considering equipment capital, operating costs, and projected equipment use based on forecast of research activity levels and directions.

Sets appropriate equipment use fees to ensure adequate cost recovery and build these charges into project budgets. Prepares and updates account business plans and charge rates annually.

Percentage Of Time 55% Application Details