Manager, Research Project Administration

Manager, Research Project Administration

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

The Manager, Research Project Administration manages and oversees the administrative, financial, and compliance activities associated with sponsored research projects in collaboration with Autonomy Research Institute (ARI) Principal Investigators (PIs) and project partners. Responsibilities include managing sponsored research administration, overseeing financial monitoring and sponsor reporting, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing sponsor communications, advising and supporting PIs, and supervising assigned sponsored project staff responsible for financial monitoring, billing, and sponsor coordination.

The Manager, Research Project Administration, under the direction of the Assistant Director, Finance (ADF) or designee, manages the administrative, financial, and compliance activities associated with sponsored research projects, grants, and contracts. This position serves as ARI's subject matter expert for sponsored research administration by ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements, managing pre-award and post-award administrative activities, advising and supporting PIs, supervising assigned sponsored project staff, and overseeing research administration processes throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Sponsored Research Administration: 50%
• Leads sponsored research administration activities, including monitoring expenditures, validating financial transactions, and documenting costs in accordance with approved budgets and sponsor requirements.
• Administers pre-award and post-award sponsored project administration activities to ensure efficient operations and full compliance with Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), state, and sponsor fiscal policies.
• Oversees sponsor financial and administrative reports, supporting documentation, and analyses for stakeholders, including PIs, internal departments, sponsors, and auditors.
• Ensures compliance with cost-sharing commitments and sponsor-specific requirements.
• Directs sponsored project closeout activities, ensuring all financial, administrative, and compliance requirements are completed accurately and on time.
• Oversees time and effort reporting and certification to ensure regulatory compliance and audit readiness.
• Compliance & Audits: 30%
• Ensures organizational compliance with sponsor, institutional, and regulatory financial requirements governing sponsored programs.
• Serves as ARI's subject matter expert and primary resource for sponsored research regulations and sponsor requirements.
• Interprets sponsor guidelines, advises PIs and project teams regarding compliance requirements, and oversees related administrative actions.
• Leads audit preparation and response activities, including coordinating documentation, addressing findings, and implementing corrective actions.
• Develops and updates procedures related to sponsored project administration in consultation with the ADF and appropriate university offices.
• Manages administrative communications with sponsors and serves as the primary liaison to obtain approvals for budget revisions, compliance actions, key personnel changes, no-cost extensions, and supplemental funding requests.
• Reviews and interprets award terms and conditions and oversees the administrative actions necessary to ensure compliance with sponsor, institutional, and regulatory requirements.
• Advises ARI leadership on sponsor regulations, research administration best practices, compliance risks, and changes to federal or sponsor requirements affecting sponsored projects.
• Facilitates institutional approvals and sponsor prior approval requests in accordance with Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) and sponsor requirements.
• Oversees the maintenance of documentation required for sponsor monitoring, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Ensures the accuracy, completeness, and retention of research administration records and documentation throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
• Identifies, recommends, and implements approved process improvements to enhance efficiency, compliance, and service to PIs.
• Program Support: 20%
• Collaborates with PIs and project partners and manages the alignment of financial and administrative activities with project goals and sponsor requirements.
• Ensures accurate and timely entry and maintenance of project data within TAMU-CC and TAMUS systems.
• Establishes and maintains sponsored project records and University research administration systems to ensure data accuracy, document integrity, and regulatory compliance.
• Administers award setup, modifications, closeout activities, and administrative documentation throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
• Manages sponsor reporting deadlines, administrative milestones, and required deliverables to ensure timely submission of reports and documentation.
• Leads the preparation and review of interim, monthly, annual, and ad hoc research administration and financial reports for PIs and ARI Executive Leadership.
• Advises and supports PIs throughout the sponsored project lifecycle by providing guidance on sponsor requirements, research administration processes, and university procedures.
• Oversees and provides administrative guidance to personnel and PIs regarding proposal preparation, proposal routing, award setup, and grant administration activities throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
• Manages sponsor communications related to administrative and compliance matters.
• Interprets sponsor financial requirements and advises PIs and project staff regarding allowable expenditures and required approvals.
• May supervise administrative and/or financial staff and oversee day-to-day operations as needed.
• Collaborates with the Project Manager III and other Finance personnel on matters that involve sponsored research administration, project management, and financial operations.
• Performs additional managerial, research administration, and special project duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Research Administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in sponsored research administration, grants management, research compliance, post-award administration, or a closely related field
• Additional education may be used as a substitution for the minimum experience requirement:
• Master's degree in Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Research Administration, or related field, and three (3) years of experience in sponsored research administration, grants management, research compliance, post-award administration, or a closely related field; OR
• Doctoral degree in Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Research Administration, or related field, and one (1) year of experience in sponsored research administration, grants management, research compliance, post-award administration, or a closely related field

Skills and Abilities

• Experience leading teams and managing relationships with PIs, sponsors, project partners, and institutional stakeholders
• Experience coordinating sponsored research administration activities throughout the project lifecycle
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database software (e.g., Smartsheet, Laserfiche, etc.)
• High level of articulation and professionalism
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Critical thinking and proactive problem solving
• Ability to take initiative and identify opportunities for improvement
• Ability to either work in a team environment or independently with minimal guidance
• Ability to manage and prioritize tasks, resources, and time effectively

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration
• Ten (10) years or more of experience in sponsored research administration, grants management, research compliance, post-award administration, or a closely related field
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification or the ability to obtain certification
• Project Management Institute (PMI) Certification
• Knowledge of grants.gov and other federal, state, and foundation grant access points and submission portals
• Ability to train and advise faculty, staff, and students on project administration
• Experience working in higher education, higher education grants, and/or higher education research administration
• Experience administering federally funded research awards
• Familiarity with aviation, autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), advanced air mobility (AAM), or related technology sectors.

Salary: $6,833.34 - $7,187.25 Monthly ($82,000.00 - $86,247.00 Annual, Approximately)

Note:

• All ARI employees may utilize university vehicles for official business travel, including travel to the main campus, local meetings, events, training, and travel within Texas. Employees who operate university vehicles must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Employment may be impacted by the Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025 and the moratorium issued by Texas Governor Abbott on January 27, 2026.

Benefits (rules, policies, eligibility apply)

From our generous benefits package and professional development opportunities, to our retirement programs and our commitment to service excellence, the Island University is an engaging and rewarding place to work.

Insurance