United States onlyAbout UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
About Research & Engagement
The UMass Amherst community engages more than 31,000 students, 1,400 faculty, and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research projects in many areas from basic to applied that are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $240 million in 2023.
Job Summary
The Senior Research Support Manager – Grants & Finance serves as a critical resource within the Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement (VCRE) Office, with specialized expertise in research accounting, budgeting, and procurement. The Senior Manager proactively supports the financial and operational needs of large-scale research awards, as well as addresses and resolves complex issues escalated by award support staff across the University.
Essential Functions
- Anticipation and Support for New Large-Scale Awards
- Collaborates with Principal Investigators (PIs), research administrators, and support staff to prepare for the financial and administrative demands of newly awarded, large-scale research projects.
- Provides preemptive guidance on budgeting, financial planning, and procurement strategies to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor guidelines.
- Acts as a liaison between the VCRE office and campus stakeholders to facilitate efficient set-up and early-stage management of major awards.
- Develops forecasting tools and resource allocation plans to anticipate financial needs and potential challenges for large-scale research projects.
- Supervision and Team Leadership
- Supervises, mentors, and evaluates a team of pre- and post-award support staff, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and fostering professional growth.
- Delegates responsibilities effectively while maintaining oversight of complex financial, procurement, and human resource-related tasks.
- Supports team members in resolving escalated issues and acts as a point of escalation for challenging scenarios.
- Facilitates regular team meetings to review progress, address concerns, and provide updates on institutional policies and best practices.
- Incident Management and Resolution
- Handles incidents and complex issues escalated from College-level post-award support staff, providing guidance and problem-solving expertise to resolve them efficiently.
- Performs in-depth analysis of financial, procurement, and compliance concerns related to ongoing research projects and implements corrective actions as needed.
- Coordinates with relevant college and department level staff, as well as individual PIs to ensure prompt resolution of escalated issues and facilitate communication between stakeholders.
- Expert Consultation and Support
- Serves as a subject matter expert in research accounting, budgeting, and procurement, offering guidance to staff across the campus on best practices and institutional policies.
- Supports training initiatives and workshops for College-level post-award support staff to enhance campus-wide capabilities in research financial management.
- Provides recommendations to the AVCRSS for process improvements, policy updates, and tools that enhance post-award support effectiveness.
- Compliance and Reporting
- Ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies in all areas of research accounting, budgeting, and procurement.
- Collaborates with internal auditors and compliance officers to review and refine procedures.
- Assists in preparing reports, data analyses, and presentations for senior leadership.
Other Functions
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field).
- Five (5) years of experience in research accounting, budgeting, procurement, or financial management within a higher education or research-intensive environment.
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification (at hire or obtained within 18 months of hire).
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive mindset.
- Proven ability to manage complex financial and operational scenarios.
- Expertise in federal and state grant regulations, institutional policies, and compliance.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
- Proficiency in financial software, accounting systems, and research management tools.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MPA, or relevant field).
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment.
Work Schedule
- 37.5 hours per week. Some flexibility in working hours may be required to meet project deadlines and handle urgent incidents.
- This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defines by the University as an arrangement where the employee's work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. As this positional falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Level 28
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.
