University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Grants Manager

Job Profile Title

Grants Manager A

Job Description Summary

The Grants Manager plays a key role in supporting the Research Support Hub (RSH), which provides comprehensive pre-award and post-award research administration services to multiple schools across the University. Reporting to the Director of the Research Support Hub, the position serves as the primary research administration contact for an assigned portfolio of faculty, research centers, and programs. The Grants Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of sponsored projects throughout the award lifecycle, including proposal development and submission, award administration, financial management, sponsor compliance, and faculty consultation. The position works collaboratively with faculty, departmental administrators, the Office of Research Services, and other central administrative offices to ensure compliance with University and sponsor requirements while supporting the effective stewardship of sponsored research funds. The Grants Manager also contributes to the development and implementation of standardized business processes, operational improvements, and shared service initiatives that support research administration across the schools served by the RSH.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Provide pre and post award research and financial administration support for individual investigators in the department
• Monitor grant expenditures for compliance and take or recommend corrective actions as needed. Work with payroll coordinators and purchasing and accounts payable to ensure appropriate expenses are allocated to grant funds
• Produce and distribute specialized research related financial reports for investigators. Meet monthly to review their funds and total research portfolio
• Advise faculty within department on university policies and procedures
• Manage post award activity for department to ensure that issues are resolved in a timely and effective manner in accordance with university policy
• Provide liaison to across research departments
• Provide guidance to faculty and staff concerning electronic submission of grant activities
• Assist in preparation and submission of reports
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s Degree and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in pre- and post-award research administration is required.  Strong grantsmanship, compliance, and administrative experience essential. Exceptional knowledge and experience with spreadsheets, Excel, and MS Office suite of products required. Experience enforcing compliance, funding policies, procedures, and regulations essential. Experience in university financial and research administration accounting systems required. Experience in UPenn research and financial systems preferred (PennERA, ERS, HS-ERA, RIS, PHS-FITS, BEN Financials, Markview/BEN, Business Objects/Data Warehouse, Concur, SharePoint, Secure Share, Workday@Penn, etc.).

Must exhibit the ability and desire to troubleshoot issues, have excellent written and verbal communication skills and outstanding customer service skills, demonstrate exemplary organizational and critical thinking skills, be timely and responsive to deadlines and adept at juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, know how to work independently and as part of a team, and must have a great attitude.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Social Policy and Practice

Pay Range

$65,628.00 - $80,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay