STAR Post Award Manager

Star Team III Manager

The STAR Team III Manager provides leadership, oversight, and operational management for a portfolio of complex sponsored awards and research administration activities within the University of New Hampshire. This position supervises STAR staff, supports faculty and departmental partners, and ensures high-quality post-award administration in alignment with sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and compliance expectations. The Manager serves as a strategic partner across SPA awards, finance, and academic units to support financial stewardship, problem-solving, and continuous process improvement.

The role requires strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic research environment while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented team culture.

This position leads and manages the post-award operations by interpreting policies, and reviewing business processes related to financial compliance, reporting, audit, and/or award closeouts on behalf of the team. The position is responsible for effective staff management, including hiring and orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment. This position implements the policies set by the University, to meet federal regulations related to sponsored research.

This position must stay current with existing and upcoming rules and ensure that all researchers are in compliance. The STAR Post Award Manager will be a working lead and also serve as a subject-matter expert in post award administration.

This position has hybrid work opportunities with 2-3 days on campus in Durham, NH per week.

• Supervises and leads a team of post-award administrators, ensuring effective coordination and collaboration within the team
  · Monitors workload distribution and redistributes tasks, as appropriate.
• Provides mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities for team members.
• Sets performance expectations, conducts regular evaluations, and provides constructive feedback
• Offers expertise and support to help navigate complex grant scenarios where guidance and advocacy is needed.
• Works with the Director of AFC & Post-Award to implement post-award policies and standard operating procedures in alignment with institutional guidelines and sponsor regulations.
• Work with the Director of AFC & Post-Award to develop and deliver training programs on post-award processes, policies, and compliance requirements.
• Regularly reviews and updates policies to ensure compliance with evolving regulations and best practices
• Identifies opportunities for process improvement and streamlines and optimizes post-award processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
• Monitors post-award activities related assigned portfolio of grants and contracts using knowledge of grant and contract management rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills.
• Reviews Notices of Award, communicating key terms and conditions to PIs, providing accurate guidance to PIs on cost principles, effort reporting, etc., throughout the life of the award
• Responsible for monitoring grant accounts, reviewing financial reports, resolving financial problems, and preventing overdrafts. Projects and forecasts trends in spending and potential shortfalls or overdrafts, recommending strategies to effectively manage spending patterns and mitigate business risks.
• Responsible for preparing labor distributions consistent with PI guidance and approved budgets for grant-funded personnel.
• Oversees quarterly financial review process.
• Assists with annual effort certification.
• Responsible for approval of grant-related transactions, including journal entries, reimbursement requests and requisitions.
• Responding to internal and external audits of award-related transactions and reporting.
• Works with Pre-Award and AFC team lead to coordinate inter-team meetings to facilitate collaboration between the pre-award and post-award teams.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned, including supporting pre-award processes as needed.

• Master's degree in field related to finance or business and five years of experience in sponsored programs administration, including grant and contract negotiations in an academic environment, or Bachelor's degree in field related to finance or business and seven years of similar related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, and the Federal Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance (2C.F.R. Part 200), as they relate to sponsored program activity.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, and follow-through.
• Ability to work effectively within tight timelines and deadline pressure at a high professional level.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team and…