Overview of Grants Manager
Purdue Univeristy Northwest's Sponsored Programs department is seeking a Grant Manager to join their team. The Grants Manager is responsible for the full life cycle management of externally funded grants, from initial account set-up through final closeout and audit. This position ensures financial compliance, accurate reporting, and proactive support for faculty and staff engaged in sponsored research. The Grants Manager also contributes to training, compliance initiatives, and select institutional projects related to research administration.
Click here for more information about our Sponsored Programs department.
This position does have the opportunity for a flexible work schedule but does require a strong on-campus presence.
Duties and Responsibilities of Grants Manager
- Establish new grant accounts upon award notice.
- Confirm sponsor terms and conditions, including F&A rates, cost-sharing, and effort commitments.
- Coordinate with internal departments to ensure accurate account configuration.
- Review all grant expenses to ensure allowability, allocability, and compliance with Purdue, sponsor, and federal (Uniform Guidance) regulations.
- Prepare and distribute monthly financial reports and forward-looking budget projections to PIs and relevant personnel.
- Clear overdrafts and reconcile budget variances proactively.
- Review Questionable Transaction Listings and resolve issues promptly.
- Monitor effort commitments and process Personnel Activity Reports (PARs).
- Prepare and submit journal vouchers (JVs), notices to proceed, no-cost extension requests, and other sponsor-required documentation.
- Manage re-budgeting requests and ensure sponsor approval where necessary.
- Complete timely award closeout in accordance with sponsor and Purdue guidelines.
- Maintain supporting documentation for audits.
- Participate in internal and external audit reviews
- Stay current on federal, state, sponsor, and Purdue University policies and regulations related to sponsored programs.
- Provide training and guidance to faculty, staff, and students on post-award processes and compliance requirements.
- Develop educational materials, including website content and training modules.
- Hold regular (minimum quarterly) meetings with principal investigators to review financial status, projections, and compliance matters.
- Contribute to the post-award elements of the PNW Office of Research strategic plan.
- Support assigned research-related events, such as Days of Discovery and the Research Symposium (spring).
- Assist with data collection and reporting to support institutional research metrics.
Benefits of Grants Manager
- Full benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Retirement, Life Insurance and more
- Accrue 15 days’ vacation your first year, then 22 days’ vacation your 2nd year plus rollover
- University contribution of 10% to retirement (3 year waiting period)
- University contributions to Health Savings Account –
- Plus a chance to earn more through participating in University Wellness Initiatives
- 10 paid holidays
- Employee Wellness Programs
- Paid Parental Leave after one year of service
- Tuition remission for you, your spouse and dependent children at any Purdue campus
For more information on our excellent benefit package, please visit: https://www.pnw.edu/human-resources/benefits/
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a premier metropolitan university dedicated to empowering transformational change in our students and in our community. We offer two campuses serving approximately 8,800 undergraduate and graduate students. At PNW, we value academic excellence, support growth, and celebrate diversity.
PNW sits between Chicago’s skyscrapers and Lake Michigan’s sandy shores. You can have all the perks of a world-class city just a short drive away or enjoy the natural beauty of the Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan just 15 miles away.
Education of Grants Manager
-
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a related field.
Experience of Grants Manager
- Minimum of three years of experience in sponsored program administration, research accounting, grants management, business office management or related field.
Core Competencies of Grants Manager
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including effective written, verbal, and presentation abilities.
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and sound professional judgment.
- Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Commitment to providing high-quality, timely service to faculty, staff, and external partners.
- Flexibility to adjust work hours during critical reporting or deadline periods.
- Proficiency in financial and grant management systems (e.g., SAP, Cognos, or similar ERP systems), Microsoft Excel, and other data analysis or reporting tools.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations related to sponsored programs administration (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NSF and NIH requirements) preferred.
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential preferred, or willingness to pursue certification
Additional Information
Professional references will be verified prior to any offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon completion of successful background check along with a motor vehicle records check if applicable.
Purdue University Northwest is an equal opportunity/equal access university.