Grants and Contracts Administrator

Duke Careers

. Manage and oversee an assigned portfolio of complex grants and contracts .

Posted 11/4/2026full-timeRemote • North Carolina • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $61,026 - $98,838 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in managing complex grants and contracts, ensuring compliance with federal and university regulations, and developing accurate budgets and proposals. Proficient in utilizing grant management systems and tools while effectively communicating with stakeholders at all levels.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Grant ManagementBudget DevelopmentCompliance MonitoringProposal PreparationData Analysis

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Budget JustificationProposal SubmissionFinancial ReconciliationCost AssessmentProject Management

Soft Skills

Verbal CommunicationWritten CommunicationProject PrioritizationInterpersonal Skills

Tools & Technologies

MS Office SuiteSPSR3Grants.DukeSES

Certifications & Qualifications

Research Administration AcademyFinancial Services Introduction to R3Introduction to Duke GLIntroduction to AccountingSponsored Research Reporting

Industry Keywords

Federal RegulationsGrant ComplianceContract ManagementResearch AdministrationDuke University Policies

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage and oversee an assigned portfolio of complex grants and contracts
Assist faculty and principal investigators with development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals
Ensure applications and contracts meet agency and university guidelines, timetables, and deadlines
Enter and route proposals for review
Develop budgets and budget justifications, proofing for inconsistencies and accuracy
Prepare and submit grants and contracts through the pre-award process
Advise faculty and principal investigators on administrative proposal requirements
Assist with internal cost assessments, budget development, and sponsor negotiation
Prepare, coordinate, and review proposal elements including biosketches, justifications, and facilities and resources
Monitor compliance with agency and university regulations and verify financial information and overhead rates
Review sponsored projects through the Sponsored Projects System and Office of Research Administration
Participate in study initiation meetings
Manage assigned projects and financial project portfolios
Monitor fiscal performance, identify concerns, and advise on budget adjustments and revisions
Monitor proposal status and research protection protocol deadlines
Manage budget, reporting, and compliance timelines throughout the grant or contract lifecycle
Establish sub-recipient financial and reporting requirements and coordinate sub-agreements
Reconcile monthly budget reports and submit cost transfers
Prepare requests for re-budgeting or project modifications
Reconcile and close sub-recipient cost objects and obtain sponsor-required reports
Maintain financial records according to retention guidelines
Monitor patient care expense charging and manage overdrafts
Record project revenue according to revenue management standards
Close funded projects according to university processes and timelines
Develop project management plans for faculty, principal investigator, or senior grants administrator review
Make cost-sharing adjustments when needed
Establish standard operating procedures for tracking sponsor payments
Interpret departmental policies and procedures and issue operating instructions
Submit reports to grants and contracts leadership when requested

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree program required
No experience required for candidates with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a directly related field
Successful completion of Financial Services Introduction to R3, Introduction to Duke GL, Introduction to Accounting, Sponsored Research Reporting, Research Administration at Duke, Basic Compliance, Duke Human Research Training, Budget Development and Negotiation Training, and Industry Funded Clinical Research—Process for Contracts within the first six months of hire
Research or grants education and/or certification preferred
Successful completion of the Research Administration Academy expected; completion within 12 months for employees hired without RAA training
Maintain certification(s) through continuing education requirements
Ability to analyze data and formulate conclusions
Ability to learn changing technologies related to grants and contracts management
Proficient computer use and solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite, including Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with all levels of the organization
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects/tasks simultaneously
Ability to create verbal and written reports
Knowledge of federal rules and regulations relating to research grant and/or contract activity
Knowledge of Duke University policies and procedures relating to grant and contract activity
Knowledge of Duke University processes, systems, and offices related to grant and contract submission and management
Ability to apply federal and university rules to management of effort allocation for individuals compensated from federal awards
Ability to apply costing rules and regulations to federally funded projects
Ability to perform required functions in SPS, R3, grants.duke, and SES
Understanding of financial processes and controls, including reconciliation
Advanced tier: 3 years of relevant experience
Senior tier: 6 years of relevant experience
Lead tier: 3 years of relevant experience

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive medical and dental care programs
Generous retirement benefits
Family-friendly and cultural programs