Awards Setup Associate

Location:

Chicago, Illinois

Department: Office Sponsored Research Salary/Grade: EXS/6

As a staff member of Northwestern Sponsored Research (SR), the Awards Setup Associate is an integral part of the institutional infrastructure that supports an innovative research ecosystem for ten schools and colleges, all centers and departments across three campuses (Chicago and Evanston, Illinois and Doha, Qatar) at Northwestern University, a distinguished AAU institution.

Reporting to the Manager Awards Setup, the Awards Setup Associate is responsible for (1) the compliant establishment of all (simple to complex) financial accounts for sponsored research awards; (2) non-financial post award management activities for a wide spectrum of awarded sponsored research contracts and agreements; (3) targeted preliminary proposal review award acceptance-related support.

The Awards Setup Associate will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.

Note:

(a) Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

• Under the direction of the Manager Awards Setup, establish compliant sponsored research award accounts in electronic research administration and financial management systems efficiently and with a high degree of accuracy. Evaluate accepted and negotiated sponsored research awards, contracts and agreements from a wide spectrum of sponsors (e.g., federal and state governments, corporate and industry, non-federal and foundations) to determine the following: appropriate account types, payment structures, subawards and associated terms and conditions regarding budgeting, expenditure allowances and disallowances, granted authorities, university financial commitments, program income, and invoicing requirements in order to create appropriate account structures for award setup and management.

• Review and assess sponsor communications for sponsored research lifecycle award administration requirements and actions to include award amendments, period of performance adjustments and extensions, funding increases, deobligations, terminations, key personnel changes, cost share, and closeout. Process and/or review requests from University units to create new projects or cost share accounts for established awards. Complete systematic maintenance of aging and problematic award records through their resolution.
  
  Process and monitor cost-share commitments (mandatory and voluntary) against committed amounts to support award compliance and fiscal year-end reconciliations. Ensure award actions remain compliant with University, sponsor and regulatory guidelines (e.g., Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations).

• Complete preliminary and targeted proposal review. Review and submit sponsor-requested data and compliance checks for pending awards subject to "Just-in-Time" principles. Review cost share commitments for accuracy and adherence to university and sponsor established guidelines and requirements. Manage appropriate awards documentation in the official document management system for Sponsored Research in order to meet institutional compliance requirements for audit.

Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree, or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.
• Excellent math, analytical, and customer service skills.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational and time management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and customer-focused orientation.
• Ability to learn, adapt and work effectively within multiple software and business systems simultaneously.

• Previous experience with research and/or grants and contracts administration is strongly preferred.
• 1+ year of business, finance, research administration or information technology experience preferred.
• Entry level of…