Contracts and Grants Manager

Hiring Range: Dependent on Experience and/or Qualifications

Department: Arts and Sciences Deans Office-300100

Career Area: Accounting/Finance/Auditing

Posting Open Date: 12/16/2025

Final date to receive applications: 01/09/2026

Position Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title: Contracts and Grants Manager

Appointment Type: EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number:

Vacancy : NF0009446

Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time Permanent

Hours Per Week: 40

Position Location: North Carolina, US

Proposed

Start Date:

02/02/2026

Be a Tar Heel! A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities ... (additional university overview paragraph omitted for brevity).

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station. The Contracts and Grants Manager (CGM) serves as the senior sponsored projects leader for assigned units in the College of Arts & Sciences.

This position serves as a sponsored projects advisor to the Senior Director of Research Administration as well as departments and units in the division. The CGM will manage all aspects of sponsored projects and sponsored projects accounting for their assigned units, supervise shared services staff supporting units in the College, review budgets and fund usage for compliance, conduct and present analyses to department and school leadership, manage financial projects and sponsored projects programs for the assigned units and be a key resource for developing sponsored projects/grant strategies.

This position requires an advanced-level subject knowledge of sponsored projects, research administration, budgeting and accounting practices to serve as the sponsored projects subject-matter expert for the division. The CGM must also have a collaborative and team-oriented approach to ensure consistency with other CGMs to maintain equity in the College’s financial and sponsored projects management. The position reports to the Senior Director of Research Administration for the College with a close working relationship with the Associate Dean for Finance & Budget Management.

• Masters with 2+ years supervisory experience and 7+ years of relevant experience;
• Bachelors with 4+ years supervisory experience and 7+ years of relevant experience.

• Demonstrated analytical skills including ability to analyze large volumes of data, solve problems, find efficient ways to complete tasks, and make decisions.
• Ability to understand relationships between numbers, analyze trends, and work with graphical and/or Excel dashboards or other tools to create financial projections, metrics, costing standards and other relevant information for campus customers.
• Ability to prepare and interpret financial, academic and operational information to evaluate performance and to support strategic business decisions.

• Advanced Excel and ERP systems knowledge.
• Minimum of five years of progressive budget and/or accounting experience in a university setting.
• Minimum of five years of pre- and post-award knowledge in a university setting.
• Business process improvement experience.
• Financial and reporting experience in a higher education environment.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field.

The job is primarily office-based and requires sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or conducting meetings. The ability to read and analyze financial data, as well as operate a computer and other office equipment is required.

Not Applicable.