Research Financial Operations Advisor-Center Clinical Research Management

Financial Operations Advisor that leads and advises the full lifecycle of pre- and post-award fixed-price grants and contracts for the College of Medicine (COM) Center for Clinical Research Management (CCRM). Provides expert-level guidance with minimal supervision. Serves as key strategic resource for investigators, research staff and CCRM staff. Collaborates with funding agencies to develop, negotiate, and administer complex research budgets, ensuring awards are aligned with sponsor requirements and institutional objectives;

liaison between CCRM, sponsors and Office of Legal affairs for non-funded agreements. Maintains communications between all three entities, provide pertinent information and resolve any discrepancies. Directs post-award financial management activities, including budget implementation, expenditure review and approval, fiscal monitoring, financial reporting, and reconciliation on fixed price studies. Proactively identifies and resolves budget variances, funding overruns, and compliance issues while ensuring adherence to sponsor guidelines, cost principles, and matching fund requirements.

Oversees project closeout processes, including financial reconciliation and transfer of residual/overrun balances to investigator departments for all CCRM managed studies and assists COM physicians with residual process. Serves as a subject matter expert on sponsor, university, and third-party regulations, interpreting policies and ensuring compliance across all assigned projects. Advises PIs and research staff on grant administration best practices, regulatory requirements, and funding strategies.

Fosters collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including funding agencies, sponsors, and the Office of Sponsored Programs, to support research growth and funding success. Evaluates funding opportunities, provide strategic guidance to investigators, and contribute to the development of research administration processes. Mentors and trains new investigators and research staff, promoting operational excellence and strengthening organizational capacity in research administration.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Advanced degree in relevant field may be desirable. 6 years of relevant experience required. 8-12 years of relevant experience preferred.

Considerable contract management experience required; experience in a fiscal management capacity desired; experience in writing administrative components of grants preferred; experience investigating for research funding sources desired; knowledge of OSU Office of Sponsored Programs policies and procedures desired.

Requires successful completion of a background check; qualified candidates may be asked to complete a pre-employment physical, including a drug screen.

Function:
Finance

Subfunction:
Financial Operations

Band:
Individual Contributor Series-Specialized

Level: S4 Consultant