Grants Manager B (Center for Cellular Immunotherapy) - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Grants Manager B (Center for Cellular Immunotherapy)





Job Profile Title

Grants Manager B





Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Sponsored Research & Finances, the Grants Manager will be responsible for managing the financial and administrative operations of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies (CCI) grants portfolio; responsibilities include, but are not limited to:


Pre-award grant administration: Assist CCI Business Operations and faculty with proposal development, budget development and related pre-award activities for diverse sponsor portfolio. Responsible for reviewing proposals for administrative requirements and providing guidance to faculty; gather required documents for submission according to funding Sponsor guidelines; prepare PENN ERA record, review application for completeness, track proposal through the signature process to ensure deadlines are met. Liaise internally with School of Medicine, Office of Research Support Services, Office of Research Services, Research Integrity Office and other Penn departments and externally with NIH, DOD, AACR, ACS, LLS, and other funding agencies.


Post-award administration: Budget awards, account set up, prepare and enter journals, monitor and review all sponsored projects expenditures including fund projections; prepare monthly analysis and manage grants through close-out. Monitor and enforce compliance with sponsor guidelines and OMB Uniform Guidance. Meet with PI regularly and review their Sponsored Program portfolio. Provide back-up coverage for the other Grants managers. Work with HR team to ensure accuracy of salary distributions, effort reporting and other payroll related issues. Participate in other activities required to support faculty members and the financial team as needed.


Responsible for oversight of sponsored programs, financial management, preparation and monitoring of annual operating budget, accounting, purchasing, payroll, educational programs, and general administration across multiple fund groups. The Grants Manager is directly involved in short and long-term strategic financial planning as well as policy development for CCI. The CCI maintains approximately 200 faculty and staff and will continue to grow in the coming years. It is expected this role will recommend, develop, and update CCI program financial practices to support the CCI philosophy and goals; and, keep CCI Senior Leadership up to date regarding current trends, issues, and activities in research funding.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities



+ Pre-award grant administration: Assist CCI Business Operations and faculty with the preparation of grant, research, and foundation proposals to external and internal sponsors; responsible for reviewing proposals for administrative requirements and providing guidance to faculty; assist budget development for review by the Associate Director of Sponsored Research and Finances; gather required documents for submission according to funding Sponsor guidelines; prepare PENN ERA record, review application for completeness, track proposal through the signature process to ensure deadlines are met. Liaise internally with School of Medicine, Office of Research Support Services Office of Research Services, Research Integrity Office and externally with NIH, DOD, AACR, ACS, LLS, and other funding agencies. Oversee the grants management operations, including proposal development, submission and resubmission of proposals, FCOI, grant awards, budget entry, salary allocation, effort reports, and grant closeout; ensure timely communication with principal investigators, and that faculty receive up-to-date and accurate budget information. Develop CCI sponsored programs budget for PSOM; oversee entry into Hyperion. Act as an advocate to represent the concerns and issues of the CCI relative to the management of extramural funding. Serve as a back up to other Grants Managers.


+ Post-award administration: Budget awards, prepare and enter journals, reconcile accounts monthly; prepare monthly analysis and manage grants through close-out. Meet with PI regularly and review their Sponsored Program portfolio. Participate in other activities required to support faculty members and the financial team as needed. Ensure the creation of accurate financial statements and conduct appropriate analysis to ensure compliance. Manage finances through the School of Medicine and the University budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting systems. Manage the accounting, purchasing, and procurement activities. Direct the management of office records, reports and files, including ensuring proper handling, storing and discussion of confidential information. Facilitate and support timely review of monthly reports and create mechanisms to respond accurately to budget variances


+ Exercise resource stewardship to ensure compliance with related policies and procedures, including CCI, School of Medicine, University, federal, and other regulations; monitor changes in federal, state, and private agency reporting requirements, and incorporate into CCI planning and procedures, as appropriate; provide oversight, leadership, direction and proper administration of all aspects of sponsored program administration activities in accordance with sponsor requirements during pre- and post-award periods, including, but not limited to, compliance with OMB Circular A-21, and including effort report certification, anticipate and resolve problems; implement courses of action to ensure all related activities proceed effectively and efficiently; report known or suspected irregularities to Center Director and Senior Leadership and appropriate School of Medicine administrative officers. Act as discrete liaison with various external and internal offices and agencies, including, but not limited to, the School of Medicine, Office of Research Administration for the University, the National Institutes of Health, and other funding agencies.


+ Work collaboratively with Senior Leadership to analyze CCI performance, develop short and long range financial projections, and create operating plans to meet specified targets. Facilitate and support timely review of monthly reports and respond accurately to budget variances and implement necessary changes.


+ Serve as a member of the senior administrative leadership team of CCI, evaluating organizational performance and providing strategic input and feedback to Director as it relates to all operations, including Finance, Research Facilities, Grants, and University/sponsor relationships.



Position is contingent upon funding.


Qualifications





+ Bachelor of Science and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Masters degree preferred.

+ Experience with NIH and other federal granting agencies is required. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Adobe, and Business Objects. Excellent critical thinking, analytical, verbal and written communication is required. Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance is required. Ability to apply solid organizational and time management skills to a deadline drive, multiple priority work environment is required. Familiarity with UPENN sponsored research policies and related research & financial systems are preferred.








Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine





Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $95,650.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.










Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.