Senior Contracts & Grants Officer

Full Time

full time

4 Nov 2025

Riverside

Verified by Turrior

Content + Source + Freshness • 12 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence

80 / 100

Offer value

High value due to competitive salary and comprehensive responsibilities within a respected institution, but may require high workload management.

Salary range between $68,500 - $121,900 annually
Active involvement in managing significant research applications
Flexible work arrangements with occasional campus visits

Pros

Attractive salary range allows for strong negotiation.
High impact position in managing significant research grants.
Ability to work in a diverse academic environment.

Cons

Heavy caseload could affect work-life balance.
Requires thorough understanding of complex federal regulations.
May not be suited for entry-level candidates or those without experience.

Who it's for

Mid to Senior-level • Hybrid / Remote

Good fit

Experienced professionals in research administration
Candidates wanting impactful roles in funding processes
Individuals with strong negotiation skills

Not recommended for

Less experienced candidates without the expertise
Individuals unwilling to manage complex caseloads
Those preferring straightforward tasks over challenges

Motivation fit

Desire to streamline grant processes and enhance funding successInterest in academic research managementMotivation to contribute to university missions

Key skills

Contracts negotiation and managementUnderstanding of grant funding processesFinancial analysis and reporting dynamicsCollaboration across academic departments

Score: 80/100 AI verified analysis

About the job

Senior Contracts & Grants Officer

Job ID:
Location: Remote/Hybrid
Schedule: 8AM - 5PM
Category: Campus Administration and Operations
Salary: $68,500 - $121,900
Full/Part Time: Full-time(100%)
Organization: Research Innovation & Economic Development
Department: Charles Greer
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Position Information:
The Senior Contracts and Grants Officer is responsible for providing institutional-level sponsored programs administration services to a portfolio of academic departments and research units, including acting as an institutional liaison with extramural sponsors. The duties of this position include (but are not limited to): the review, analysis and endorsement of proposals; analysis of award (e.g., grants, cooperative agreements, contracts) terms and conditions; negotiation and acceptance/execution of sponsored agreements; providing advice to faculty and staff regarding sponsored programs issues; interpreting a broad range of sponsor policies, government regulations and award terms and conditions; negotiating and executing subcontracts under UC Riverside's prime; coordinating and/or approving prior approval requests and facilitating award close-out, and participating in the presentation of research administration training courses. This position also interacts with a variety of campus and system-wide offices to facilitate the management, administration and conduct of sponsored programs.

The full salary range for the Senior Contracts & Grants Officer is $66,500 - $118,300 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is $66,500 - $92,400 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is classified as remote with occasional visits to campus as required. Working hours will be based on Pacific Standard Time (PST).

Requirements:
Requirements

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Required

Advanced degree in a related field.

Preferred

Experience Requirements

4 - 7 years of related experience.

Required

Experience working in research administration at a college, university, non-profit research institute or hospital.

Preferred

Experience utilizing various federal agency electronic proposal submission systems used to review and submit proposals to extramural sponsors.

Preferred

Experience drafting and negotiating research and research-related agreement with federal and state governments and non-profit sponsors.

Preferred

Special Conditions
Special

Occasional travel for university related business meetings, conferences and/or professional development.

Required

Minimum Requirements

Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.

Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.

Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.

Ability to manage significant volume of transactions.

Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.

Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.

Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.

Demonstrated knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures and techniques.

Strong writing skills in a variety of styles to draft persuasive text for a variety of audiences while ensuring adherence to funding sponsor's guidelines.

Ability to analyze data, information and objectives; identify patterns, concerns, issues, problems, needs, tendencies and relationships; formulate logical and objective conclusions; recognize alternatives and there implications; and make sound decisions or recommendations.

Working knowledge of federal regulations, policies and guidelines regarding sponsored programs administration.

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relations within a diverse, multicultural environment.

Working knowledge of generally accepted contracting and subcontracting principles and practices, as well as knowledge of research funding mechanisms employed by extramural sponsors.

Working knowledge of proposal/project cost principles.

Working knowledge of sponsored programs administration policies, procedures and practices of non-federal sponsors.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.

Working knowledge of the intellectual property principles, policies, regulations, practices and the technical and legal issues affecting the protection, use and exploitation of intellectual property.

Knowledge of UC sponsored programs administration policies, procedures and practices.

Additional Information:
Additional Information

In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.

UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.

UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.

UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020

UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.

Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019

Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings

UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview

Job Description Details:
Job Description Details

General Information
Job Title
RSCH ADM 3 Job Code
006206 Grade
21 Department Head
Charles Greer Supervisor
Ursula Prins

Generic Scope
Experienced professional who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; possesses broad job knowledge; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions.

Custom Scope
Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently develop and/or oversee research proposals, awards and/or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research sponsor policies. Works on proposals and awards of diverse scope where analysis of data requires thorough understanding of complex regulations. Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official. Works on complex proposals and awards that may involve multiple investigators and/or multiple sub awards. Guides less experienced staff. Central Role(CR): Is eligible for delegated signature authority (may vary by campus). Department Role(DR): Typically works on complex proposals such as grants/contracts which require task budgets, option years, multiple investigators and multiple sub awards.

Department Custom Scope
The Senior Contracts and Grants Officer is responsible for providing institutional-level sponsored programs administration services to a portfolio of academic departments and research units, including acting as an institutional liaison with extramural sponsors. The duties of this position include (but are not limited to): the review, analysis and endorsement of proposals; analysis of award (e.g., grants, cooperative agreements, contracts) terms and conditions; negotiation and acceptance/execution of sponsored agreements; providing advice to faculty and staff regarding sponsored programs issues; interpreting a broad range of sponsor policies, government regulations and award terms and conditions; negotiating and executing subcontracts under UC Riverside's prime; coordinating and/or approving prior approval requests and facilitating award close-out, and participating in the presentation of research administration training courses. This position also interacts with a variety of campus and system-wide offices to facilitate the management, administration and conduct of sponsored programs.

Key Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities DescriptionPercent Time

(CR): Applies contracts and grants concepts to review complex grant or contract proposals and obtain/verify necessary compliance approvals, and recommend/negotiate needed changes to proposals with PIs and/or department
administrators. Researches, develops and implements new research initiatives.

Provides institutional review of complex proposals and support documents for compliance with proposal guidelines and university policies.

15%

Provides guidance and counsel on complex research administration matters, including compliance regulations, to principal investigators and department administrators.

Interpret policy and regulations for, and provide advice to, faculty, department administrators and academic administrations regarding routine or sensitive sponsored programs issues.

10%

(CR): Negotiates terms and conditions of complex research agreements and awards from various sponsors.

With delegated authority, reviews, negotiates, and executed awards on behalf of The Regents of the University of California.

10%

Review, analyze and coordinate standard and non-standard requests for campus or sponsor prior approval (pre-award spending, no-cost extension, change in work scope, etc.)

10%

Provides post-award financial administration and management for research funds in accordance with organization policy and agency requirements.

Coordinates proposal submissions.

With delegated authority, submits proposals as an authorized organizational representative utilizing various electronic proposal submission systems.

Assists in support of audits as directed by senior staff.

(CR): Previews pre-award update information requested by sponsor representatives before issue of awards and submission.

(CR): Develops professional relationships with sponsor representatives. Delivers specialized training for education workshops in the area of research administration, grant writing, proposal development to improve funding success.

(CR): Authorizes establishment of complex contract and grant fund accounts with approval of other analysts, director or other authorized institutional official.

Processes the Campus Award Notice (via the Award Data Entry system) to initiate the establishment of BEAs and assignment of fund accounts.

(CR): Reviews and approves or rejects requested fund advance setups or
research account updates.

Applies professional knowledge/experience to prepare, review and/or approve financial transactions.

Facilitate the timely close-out of Subawards and prime awards.

Participate in the development and documentation of internal procedures through work groups or as directed by SPA management.

Performs other duties as assigned by SPA management.

5%

To apply, visit https://jobsportal.ucr.edu/jobs/35046865

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