Position Summary

The Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University studies community colleges because they provide critical access to postsecondary education and are uniquely positioned to promote equity and social mobility in the United States. Our mission is to conduct research that helps these institutions strengthen opportunities and improve outcomes for their students, particularly those from underserved populations.

CCRC is seeking a full-time Grants and Contracts Manager to support all aspects of grant administration to support our mission. The successful candidate will join a highly skilled grants management team who support over 25 research professionals. The position may begin immediately. Please find the application link at https://employment.tc.columbia.edu/cw/en-us/job/506097/grants-and-contracts-manager and include a cover letter, resume, and any related work products with your application.

For information about CCRC’s current research activities, mission and values, please visit ccrc.tc.columbia.edu. CCRC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe that our diversity is essential to our success, and we aim to cultivate a respectful and inclusive environment where all employees are empowered to do their best work.

Responsibilities

Proposal Development and Submission

• Develop and submit proposal budgets, budget justifications, and ancillary materials to funders, ensuring accuracy and adherence to Teachers College and funder guidelines.

• Review and interpret federal and non-federal funder guidelines, and advise senior staff.

• Liaise with partners, consultants and subcontractors to develop and revise statements of work, budgets, and budget narratives for approval and submission to funders.

Grant Administration

• Manage portfolio of approximately 10 grants/contracts estimated at $10M.

• Process and approve payments to vendors and consultants; staff and external

  reimbursements; professional development fund and travel/cash advances; and

  miscellaneous disbursements.

• Update project budgets daily and track payment requests.

• Ensure that spending corresponds with proposal budgets and grant/contract

  specifications.

• Reconcile monthly budget reports from TC with CCRC project spreadsheets; monitor

  expenses and variances; and prepare year-end final reconciliations and project

  closeouts.

• Work with Finance Director and Principal Investigators to prepare monthly, quarterly,

  annual invoices/financial reports and submit with progress reports to funders in accordance with grant/contract guidelines in advance of required deadlines.

  Contract Management and Administration

• Work with Office of Sponsored Programs, General Counsel, Purchasing Offices and project directors to develop, prepare, and/or amend agreements, and develop contractor scopes of work. Negotiate contract language within established organizational parameters.

• Manage and review subcontractor and consultant progress and financial reports/invoices, request revisions, and process and approve payments.

• Manage competitive bids and procurements including Requests for Proposals. Management and Leadership Tasks

• Participate in TC focus groups and product explorations/pilots.

• Provide suggestions and feedback for new financial and administrative systems

• Participate in USDOE and foundation webinars.

• Track proposal and financial reporting deadlines and clearly communicate to staff well

  in advance.

• Work closely with CCRC finance team, senior staff, and Teachers College offices,

  ensuring clear communication.

• Learn, implement, and train staff on new systems adopted by CCRC and Teachers

  College.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree

• 3 years of experience in financial and grants administration, including preparing and

  submitting budgets, proposals, and invoices/financial reports to funders

• Experience or coursework in cost accounting principles and ability to perform related

  mathematical calculations

• Experience in reading, interpreting, and applying foundation guidelines and federal

  regulations

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office – Word and Excel specifically. Intermediate skills

  in Access and gift/donor relationship databases. Advanced skills in Adobe Acrobat Pro

• Reliable, responsible, good judgment, highly organized, and willing to take initiative

• Able to work with precision, with strong attention to detail

• Able to multi-task, prioritize, and anticipate and meet strict deadlines

• Able to work effectively with all levels of internal and external contacts

• Successful completion of interview task(s)

Preferred Qualifications

• More than three years of Sponsored Programs/Grant Administration experience

• Advanced degree in a related field

• Experienced in bookkeeping with advanced skills in software

• Experience in reviewing/revising contracts

• Experience with organizational financial/accounting software systems

• Grants experience in non-profits or an academic institution

CCRC at Teachers College is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. CCRC does not discriminate, and all qualified applications will receive consideration without regard to race; color; national origin; religion; creed; sex or gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression); sexual orientation; citizenship status; pregnancy; disability; age; military or veteran status; marital or partnership status; genetic information, genetic predisposition, or carrier status; prior unemployment status; consumer credit history; status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking; or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Legal work authorization is required.