Principal Grants & Contracts Management Officer | Job Code: 21-113 at The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation in Torrance, California

Job Description:

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• BS degree in Business Administration, Finance, Health Sciences or a related field, or comparable work experience required


• 5-10 years’ experience in a comparable position in research administration


• Demonstrated leadership, management and collaboration skills and a track record of success working with faculty members.


• Affiliation with the National Council of Research Administration (NCURA) and/or the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) highly desired.


• Expert knowledge of regulations, laws, and sponsor policies related to sponsored projects administration, including the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR); 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; Federal Research Terms and Conditions (including Agency Specific Terms and Conditions) and Federal Acquisition Regulations and working knowledge of external regulations, laws and sponsor policies related to other areas of research administration including, protection of research subjects (both human and animal), disclosure of financial interests, financial management of sponsored projects, and electronic research administration.


• Expert knowledge of research funding mechanisms employed by extramural sponsors.


• General knowledge of accounting principles and general financial management practices.


• Ability to comprehend, interpret and analyze information; define problems and identify patterns, tendencies and relationships; formulate logical and objective conclusions; and recognize alternatives and their implications.


• Ability to prioritize fluctuating workloads and maintain high productivity levels in the face of changing priorities and frequent interruptions.


• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality regarding office operations and during the conduct of investigations.


• Expert knowledge of electronic research administration systems.


• Working knowledge of computer applications and data management.  MS Office competency required

Description of Duties:

• This position is a functioning part of the Office of Research Administration (ORA) team for ORA and under general direction of the Vice President, Research Administration, Office of Research Administration (ORA) and the Principal Grants and Contracts Officer (PGCMO) is self-directed, able to prioritize multiple duties and deadlines and understand the importance of research administration. The PGCMO has a high degree of proficiency in research administration including administrative and financial management, compliance and reporting.  The PGCMO is the lead for the new unit Resources for Investigator Support and Engagement (RISE). The RISE is responsible for assisting new early career faculty in sponsored programs.


• The PGCMO has the demonstrated ability to work independently and has excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. Included are expert interpersonal skills, customer service orientation, active listening skills and highly effective team leadership skills. The PGCMO will also have the skills in concentrated, determined and sustained action towards attainment of established goals. And the ability to function effectively in crises situations sustaining a reasoned and temperate approach.  Lastly, the PGCMO should have the ability to be decisive when necessary and to effectively communicate rational and sound basis for decisions made including the ability to accept uncertainty and deal with ambiguity by recommending or taking actions when answers to problems are not readily apparent.


• This position is the subject matter expert in internal controls and risk management of activities associated with the administrative and financial management of sponsored research and extramural funding performed by Lundquist Institute.

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