United States onlyDuke University:
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.
Job Title: Grants and Contracts Manager (Remote)
Department: Office for Research and Innovation – Campus Research Administration Support Resource Office
Remote Work Locations
All Duke University remote employees must reside in one of the following states or districts:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington (State), Washington, DC, or Wisconsin.
Be You
At Duke University, we celebrate individuality, expertise, and the essential role research administrators play in advancing discovery. As a Grants and Contracts Manager, you will join the Campus Grants Management Team (CGMT)—a dynamic and growing unit within the Office for Research and Innovation that provides cradle-to-grave grants management services. CGMT administrators are more than transaction processors; they are subject-matter experts and trusted partners who collaborate closely with faculty to develop strong proposals and manage awards in compliance with sponsor guidelines and Duke University policies.
Be Bold
This position is responsible for managing and overseeing a highly complex portfolio of grants and contracts while leading a team of Grants and Contracts Administrators. You will apply strong analytical judgment, regulatory knowledge, and sound independent decision-making to ensure compliant and effective award management across the full research lifecycle.
Pre‑Award Administration (30%)
Advise faculty and Principal Investigators (PIs) on administrative requirements related to proposal development and submission.
Assist with the development, preparation, and submission of research proposals, ensuring all applications meet sponsor and Duke guidelines, published timetables, and deadlines.
Develop detailed budgets and budget justifications, ensuring accuracy and consistency across proposal materials and sub‑recipient documentation.
Prepare, coordinate, and review proposals for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
Monitor compliance with sponsor and university regulations, including verification of financial data and application of appropriate F&A rates.
Ensure proposals are entered and routed through Duke systems in a timely manner for institutional review and approval.
Monitor proposal status and proactively advise PIs on requirements, timelines, and deadlines.
Manage subcontract processes in coordination with ORA/ORS and collaborating organizations.
Post‑Award Administration (30%)
Manage large and complex sponsored projects that may span multiple disciplines, departments, and faculty.
Meet regularly with faculty to provide financial updates, guidance, and proactive portfolio management support.
Validate AARs for expenses and perform detailed monthly reconciliations of assigned project budgets.
Prepare and submit cost transfers, salary redistributions, rebudgets, and no‑cost extension requests as needed.
Prepare complex budget and financial reports.
Establish and monitor sub‑recipient requirements, including reconciliation and closeout of sub‑recipient budgets.
Maintain financial records in accordance with Duke document retention guidelines.
Manage cost sharing, compliance timelines, WBSE communications, overdrafts, and revenue recording.
Close out projects in accordance with sponsor and university requirements.
Perform ongoing grants monitoring using available tools to ensure compliance with Duke policies.
Provide reports to the Senior Manager as requested.
Management, Supervisory & Leadership (40%)
Supervise and manage a team of Grants and Contracts Administrators while maintaining responsibility for a complex personal portfolio.
Partner closely with the Senior Manager to ensure staff are appropriately trained and delivering high‑quality service.
Serve as the primary escalation point for team members on grants and contracts issues and interpretation of Duke guidelines.
Act as a key point of contact for faculty regarding team performance and service delivery.
Execute regular monitoring and performance reports to ensure university performance metrics are met.
Recommend and support personnel actions, including hiring, performance evaluations, promotions, transfers, and scheduling.
Foster a team culture that promotes open communication, collaboration, learning, and professional development.
What You’ll Bring
Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Research or grants education or certification preferred. Completion of the Research Administration Academy (RAA) and Advanced Grants Management (AGM) required.
Certified Research Administrator preferred.
Experience:
Three years of grants and contracts and/or leadership experience. Advanced Excel skills and strong grants systems knowledge required. Demonstrated communication skills and sound judgment.
Choose Duke.
This is more than a grants management role—it’s an opportunity to lead, influence, and elevate research at one of the world’s premier universities.
At Duke, you’ll partner with accomplished faculty, manage a sophisticated and diverse research portfolio, and lead a talented team that plays a critical role in advancing discovery, innovation, and global impact. You’ll be trusted as a subject‑matter expert, empowered to make decisions, and supported by an institution that values collaboration, continuous learning, and professional growth.
As a Grants and Contracts Manager, you’ll enjoy:
High‑impact work supporting federally funded, non‑federal, and international research
Leadership visibility within a growing, mission‑driven grants management team
Flexibility through a fully remote work model within approved states
Career investment through structured training, certifications
READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Apply now and help advance Duke’s world-class research mission through exceptional grants and contracts management.
Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $67,732.00 to USD $116,282.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Your total compensation goesbeyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
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