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POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under limited supervision, the Specialist will provide administrative expertise in finance, budget, grant administration, and purchasing with decision making responsibilities for all research and training centers at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences (including First Year Cleveland) and principal investigators unaffiliated with a research center. These duties include maintaining grant-funded budgets and expense accounts, review, approval and processing of all non-salary journals and salary adjustments, managing all invoicing (departmental and central), and serving as a technical resource and advisor, exercising discretion and independent judgment, and leading financial discussion meetings as needed. This position functions independently to analyze problems and devise and implement solutions, in accordance with appropriate policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Maintain and monitor grant-funded budgets and expense accounts, totaling $65 million and over 250 speedtypes. Monitor and verify expenditures; ensure compliance with university and sponsoring agency policies and procedures. Ensure compliance with federal regulations. Maintain externally funded project records and coordinate communication with other collaborating centers within and outside the university. Manage department level invoicing for grant-funded projects, review invoicing completed by central research administration staff, and work with central to resolve issues. Conduct monthly financial reconciliation of grant-funded projects, noting exceptions to budget or expected revenue and take corrective action as necessary. Assist with effort certification and year-end close. (50%) 
2. Provide guidance to faculty and staff on available funds to inform future purchasing and/or hiring decisions and monitor compliance to project budget and contract terms. Approve routine purchases by considering reasonableness, allowability and allocability. Identify and implement solutions to potential overspend/underspend situations. Submit purchase requisitions and payment requests as needed; and assist with processing faculty and staff expense reports. Stay current on regulatory and legal issues relating to post award sponsored projects management. (25%)
3. Prepare and maintain project budgets by analyzing program plans on both a short- and long-range basis by considering past requirements and expenditures and present program plan. Perform needs assessments, make projections based on multiple items and variables, analyze budget variances and recommend courses of action to properly utilize external funding resources. Prepare analytical reports and analyses for internal and external audiences, including dean level staff and First Year Cleveland board members. (10%)

4. Train new center department administrators in university and school procedures related to finance, budget, grant administration, and purchasing. Meet as necessary and track each trainee¿s fidelity to said procedures. Cover center department administrator vacancies as necessary by meeting directly with faculty and research staff to manage projects at the center level. (10%)

    

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Support the Office of Research Administration and Finance leadership team in implementing long- and short-term department strategy planning goals. Participate in the development and monitoring of policies and procedures for department operations. Report on milestones achieved. (5%)

2. Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

    

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with faculty and staff. Daily contact with Assistant Director of Research Administration (Mandel School) to discuss projects, coordinate activities, process and resolve questions regarding projects. Frequent contact with Mandel School Directors of Research Administra