Grant Administrator

The Grants Administrator plays a critical, hands on role in managing the full lifecycle of government and privately funded research grants and related contracts that support the company’s mission to advance innovative diagnostic technologies. This position is responsible for all aspects of pre- and post-award administration and closeout—from identifying funding opportunities and developing proposals, to managing project budgets, reporting, and ensuring compliance with NIH, other federal, state, academic, and private sponsor requirements.

As a key member of a growing, fast-paced startup, the Grants Administrator will work cross-functionally with research, finance, and leadership teams, combining strategic insight with day-to-day execution to build a best-in-class grant and research contracts management function from the ground up. This role requires strong financial acumen to effectively manage study budgets, conduct variance analysis, and ensure optimal use of sponsored funding while maintaining strict compliance with federal cost accounting standards.

• Serve as the company’s subject matter expert on all grants and contracts, including but not limited to NIH, NSF, and private foundation awards.
• Partner closely with executive leadership, scientists/clinical research, and finance to develop and implement a strategic approach to securing external funding that aligns with corporate goals.
• Build and continuously improve internal processes, tools, and templates for efficient project development, tracking, and compliance.
• Represent the company in communications with federal agencies, foundations, and collaborators.

• Identify and evaluate new funding opportunities relevant to the company’s research and technology development priorities.
• Lead the preparation and submission of proposals, including gathering technical inputs, developing budgets, and ensuring compliance with sponsor and company policies.
• Manage all aspects of electronic submissions via Grants.gov, eRA Commons, and other sponsor systems.
• Support the development of compelling narratives and justifications that clearly communicate the company’s scientific and business impact.
• Review and analyze budget components including personnel costs, fringe benefits, indirect costs, equipment, supplies, and other direct costs
• Review and maintain pricing schedule consistency across biopharma and academic contracts.
• Interpret sponsor guidelines (NIH, NSF, state, foundations, industry, etc.) and provide expert guidance on allowable costs and budget justification requirements.
• Coordinate with research teams to facilitate timely proposal endorsement and submission.

• Administer all active awards, ensuring compliance with NIH Grants Policy Statement, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and sponsor terms.
• Oversee comprehensive grant/research project-related financial management—budget tracking, forecasting, time & effort management, and expense reconciliation—in collaboration with Accounting, Research and Development, and Clinical Research.
• Prepare, analyze, and submit technical progress reports, financial reports, and closeout documentation on a regular basis.
• Coordinate research project subawards, consulting agreements, vendor contracts, and associated billing.
• Serve as the primary liaison for audits, progress reviews, and sponsor communications.
• Facilitate award closeout processes, including final expenditure reconciliation and close-out reporting.

• Conduct detailed monthly financial analysis and variance reporting on all active grant portfolios, identifying trends and forecasting expenditure patterns.
• Review and approve all grant-related financial transactions including payroll allocations, purchasing requisitions, and cost transfers to ensure allowability and allocability.
• Prepare comprehensive budget-to-actual reports and expenditure projections for leadership and stakeholders.
• Manage cost-sharing commitments and maintain detailed financial documentation for audit readiness.
• Collaborate with Accounting to reconcile grant expenditures and…