Senior Grants and Contracts Officer, Preaward Services

The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (TLI) is Los Angeles County's preeminent independent, not-for-profit biomedical research hub, excelling in transforming scientific breakthroughs into practical therapies. With a $90 million annual budget, TLI is home to over 150 investigators and 500 staff, advancing 600 projects in areas such as Infection and Immunity, Cancer, and Women's Health. Founded in 1952, the Institute continues to train physician-scientists and manage healthcare programs for 60,000 underserved families throughout South Los Angeles.

The Senior Grants and Contracts Officer (SGCO) serves as a senior member of the Resources for Investigator Support and Engagement (RISE) shared services team within the Office of Research Administration (ORA) and an administrative liaison for the inaugural Lundquist Institute Research Hubs. The SCGO will report directly to ORA leadership and work in tandem with Research Hub Executive Directors to provide faculty support for sponsored proposal support. The SGCO will team with their Award Management counterpart to support their assigned Research Hub.

The SGCO is responsible for providing administrative support included in complex proposals and awards such as current and pending support, biographical sketches, equipment, resources and facilities, detailed budgets, and justifications. The SCGO is a seasoned research administrator who can independently coordinate, develop and/or oversee research proposals. The SGCO serves as a liaison with internal constituents to include RISE Preaward Services team, Research Hub Executive Directors, faculty, Sponsored Projects Accounting, Finance, Payroll, Purchasing, Grants and Contracts Administration, Research Compliance, Subawards, and Closeout. The SGCO communicates with sponsors and external collaborators participating in faculty research.

The SGCO is self-directed, able to prioritize multiple duties and deadlines, and understands the importance of the research administration profession. The SGCO has a high degree of proficiency in research administration including sponsored proposal management, award negotiation, and subrecipient requirements and is able to problem-solve a wide range of issues with limited structure.

Proposal Development:

• Review funding opportunities and prepare application documents for routine and complex proposals in compliance with sponsor guidelines
• Provide full sponsored proposal development support to include developing detailed budgets, compiling administrative documents, and preparing proposals in the sponsors’ online systems (e.g., ASSIST, Grants.gov, Research.gov)
• Support faculty in preparation of supplemental request information (e.g., JIT, progress reports, extensions) for submission to the sponsor
• Coordinate with Subawards Office to obtain all required outgoing subaward documentation
• Maintain faculty biosketches and current/pending support documents (e.g., SciENcv)
• Optimize pre-award policies, processes, and systems or optimal tracking, reporting, and internal controls
• Provide outstanding and expedient service to a wide range of faculty across Research Hubs

Award Initiation:

• Review and negotiate incoming sponsored awards, including federal, state, and other sponsors
• Secure the concurrence of the Principal Investigator and other Institute units, as appropriate, prior to accepting awards with non-standard terms and conditions; advise all concerned parties of their responsibilities in meeting special or unusual award requirements
• Coordinate with award management team member(s) to initiate the TLI project in the financial system
• Collaborate with Subawards Office to initiate approved subaward agreements

Special Projects:

• Provide training, education, and outreach to faculty and administrators
• Develop and maintain resources utilized in the sponsored projects lifecycle procedures to include website, manuals, and forms
• Support data, systems, and survey requests relating to ORA services
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience; Master's Degree in business, finance or related field preferred
• At least 10 years of experience in research administration and/or research compliance, preferably at a higher educational institution, academic medical center, or biomedical research institute
• At least 10 years of experience in sponsored programs proposal development
• At least 10 years of experience with award negotiation including federal, state, and non-profit sponsors
• At least 10 years of experience with electronic sponsor portals (e.g., NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov)
• Expert proficiency in Microsoft Excel required
• Demonstrated proficiency with institutional sponsored project related policies and procedures such as cost sharing, cost allowability, effort reporting or payroll confirmation
• Expert knowledge in Office of Management and Budget 2 CFR 200 (“Uniform Guidance”) regulations and NIH, Department of Defense, and other major funding agency policies
• Expert-level experience in grants management and/or research compliance oversight systems
• Previous experience as an Authorized Institutional Official for an organization’s sponsored programs office desired
• Ability to prepare sponsored proposal budgets and ensure reporting requirements are fulfilled
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines with little to no supervision
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to speak comfortably with individuals at all levels, including faculty, administrators, sponsors, and other external collaborators
• Excellent writing, communication, organization, and execution skills required
• Ability to manage and adapt as needed to fulfill competing priorities and adapt as needed

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible term position.

Please ensure your application is complete and signed; incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Position requires a background check and health clearance

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Drug-Free Workplace