Research Administrator IV

Responsibilities

• Lead fiscal planning, budgeting, and ongoing monitoring for the division’s research portfolio across federal, state, private, and gift awards.
• Administer complex awarded projects, coordinating with central and division managers to ensure sponsor and UCSF policy compliance.
• Prepare high‑level financial projections, analyses, and recommendations for Principal Investigators and educate research staff on findings.
• Manage research finance audits, preparing documentation and coordinating communication among investigators, administrative officers, and auditors.
• Oversee award reporting, closeout activities, and status updates to Principal Investigators and the Division Manager.
• Serve as primary requester and backup approver for all purchase orders within the division.
• Act as subject‑matter expert for portfolio management, including NIH grants, industry contracts, clinical trials, sub‑awards, fellowships, and discretionary funds.
• Develop and analyze monthly budget forecasts, monitor expenditures for variances, and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct regular financial review meetings with Principal Investigators to discuss budget status, risks, and compliance concerns.
• Maintain professional relationships with sponsor representatives and collaborate with pre‑award teams on progress reports and special financial projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration or a related field; advanced degree or certification (e.g., CPA, CMA, CCRA) preferred.
• Minimum five years of post‑award research administration experience in an academic health‑science environment.
• In‑depth knowledge of federal grant regulations (Uniform Guidance, OMB Circular A‑21, NIH policies) and state/industry sponsor requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise managing multi‑year program project grants, clinical trial contracts, training grants, and sub‑awards.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting skills; proficiency with UCSF RMS, ERP, and related financial systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities; capable of presenting complex financial information to diverse audiences.
• Proven problem‑solving and decision‑making skills with the ability to prioritize multiple complex assignments.
• Experience conducting audits, preparing closeout reports, and maintaining compliance documentation.
• Eligibility for delegated signature authority in accordance with UCSF policies.
• Commitment to UCSF’s mission of research excellence, education, and public service.

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