Research Administrator - Post-Award

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Summary:

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Office of Research Administration – (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

The Research Administrator (RA) is responsible for providing comprehensive support for post-award research administration. This role ensures compliance with institutional, sponsor, and federal regulations while facilitating the efficient administration of sponsored research projects. The RA will work closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), department leadership, and central research administration offices to manage sponsored projects from time of award through award closeout. The RA is expected to provide excellent customer service, ensuring that faculty and researchers receive timely, accurate, and proactive support.

RAs belong to a shared service model which oversees a variety of grant types (clinical and basic science research) across a variety of departments. Volume and complexity of portfolio increase with skill.

Remote work eligibility:

This role is eligible for remote work through VCU's Flexible Work Arrangement benefit. Candidates living outside of the Richmond metro area are encouraged to apply, but may be required to come on-campus on occasion (no more than twice annually) for in-service training and professional development activities. Remote employees must successfully meet position requirements and performance expectations to maintain continued eligibility for this benefit.

Eligible for sponsorship (e.g., H-IB visa status, etc.): No

Authorisation: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S., as we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

• Distribute monthly reporting including effort summaries, financial projections, and MER review confirmations.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the PI, department, sponsor, and central offices, promoting transparent, efficient communication.
• Establish, monitor, and reconcile budgets, ensuring expenditures are reasonable, allowable, and allocable per sponsor guidelines.
• Manage effort reporting, salary allocations, and ECC compliance; coordinate payroll adjustments and resolve discrepancies.
• Review and process grant transactions, including subaward invoices, cost transfers, and procurement charges.
• Prepare and review financial reports (e.g., forecasts, burn rates), ensuring alignment with budget and funding.
• Coordinate award modifications, such as no-cost extensions, carryovers, budget revisions, and personnel changes.
• Ensure timely submission of sponsor reports (RPPRs, financials, closeouts), proactively tracking deadlines.
• Support audits, maintain accurate grant records, and uphold sponsor/institutional documentation requirements.
• Provide financial guidance to PIs and research teams to support responsible grant stewardship.
• Respond to PI and staff inquiries promptly, delivering customer-focused solutions.
• Conduct regular expenditure reviews to verify compliance; elevate and resolve issues proactively.
• Track cost-sharing, outstanding commitments, and ensure timely resolution of encumbrances and cost transfers.
• Oversee subrecipient monitoring and ensure compliance with risk assessment and documentation standards.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of internal administrative and financial closeout of all sponsored projects assigned.
• Maintain federal grant management knowledge…