Lifecycle Grants & Contracts Professional (Open Rank)

Job Summary:

CU Nursing’s Office of Research and Scholarship is seeking an open-rank Lifecycle Grants & Contracts Professional (Entry Professional through Principal Professional) to support sponsored research administration. This position provides expertise across the research grant and contract lifecycle, with primary responsibility in either pre-award or post-award administration based on organizational needs and the candidate’s experience.

Working closely with faculty, Principal Investigators (PIs), Research Service Professionals (RSPs), postdoctoral fellows, students, and administrative partners, the position supports the effective and compliant management of sponsored research. Responsibilities may include proposal preparation and submission, budget development and monitoring, award setup, financial management, reporting, procurement, subaward administration, project closeout, and other research administration activities.

The position collaborates with the Lifecycle Grants and Contracts Program Manager and Office of Research and Scholarship staff to provide coordinated research administration services and contribute to training, knowledge sharing, and process improvement efforts.

Successful candidates will demonstrate sound judgment, attention to detail, accountability, and the ability to identify and address issues proactively.

Examples of Work Performed:

The duties below apply across all ranks, with the complexity of work, size of the assigned portfolio, and level of independence scaled to the rank at hire. Duties listed under Advanced Responsibilities are expected of Senior and Principal Professionals.

Pre-Award and Proposal Development (30%25)

• Manage the pre-award lifecycle for an assigned portfolio of CU Nursing faculty, postdoc fellows, and students, including funding opportunity review, proposal planning, budget development, administrative compliance, internal routing, sponsor communication, and timely submission of proposals.

• Coordinate with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Office of Grants and Contracts (OGC), CU Nursing Finance, and other University partners to obtain required approvals and documentation and facilitate timely proposal submission.

• Coordinate the transition from funded proposal to award, working with OGC and other University partners to facilitate award acceptance, account setup, subaward execution, requests for pre-award spending, Just in Time (JIT), and other post-submission activities.

Post-Award Grant and Contract Management (30%25)

• Manage post-award grants and contracts, including award setup, budget oversight, compliance, reporting, subawards, extensions, and closeout.

• Monitor expenditures, projections, and compliance; identify risks and advise PIs on award management.

• Coordinate with University offices to resolve award, financial, and administrative issues.

• Support sponsor reporting (RPPRs, NCEs, FFRs) and reconcile award, subaward, and financial records.

Financial and Operational Management (20%25)

• Support research financial activities, including funding distributions, effort management, HCM transactions, PETs, procurement, and gift card programs.

• Utilize University and sponsor systems, including HCM, InfoEd, CU Marketplace, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, and SAM.gov.

• Assist faculty with effort reporting, funding tracking, purchasing, invoicing, and compliance requirements.

• Manage procurement card reconciliation and research-funded incentive programs.

Training and Collaboration (10%25)

• Serve as a resource to faculty and research teams on research administration policies, systems, and sponsor requirements.

• Maintain expertise in research administration and communicate regulatory, policy, and process updates.

• Collaborate with Finance, HR, Academic Affairs, IT, and other University partners to support research operations and compliance.

Process Improvement, Data, and Support (10%25)

• Identify opportunities to improve processes within assigned areas and share recommendations with the Program Manager.

• Maintain accurate and accessible grant and contract documentation and contribute to the maintenance of CU Nursing research archives.

• Contribute to special projects and initiatives assigned by the Lifecycle Grants and Contracts Program Manager and the Associate Dean of Research & Scholarship, which may include the annual research symposium, research committee activities, hiring committees, intramural award administration, and other Office of Research and Scholarship initiatives.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion, responsiveness, and accountability in interactions with faculty, staff, students, sponsors, and University partners.

• Take ownership of assigned portfolios, projects, and issues and follow them through to resolution.

• Communicate proactively regarding deadlines, potential risks, unresolved issues, and changes that may affect faculty or research projects.

• At the Entry level, duties are more limited in scope and are performed with guidance and direction from other professionals, and are performed in a training and development capacity.

• At the Intermediate level, duties may be limited in scope and are performed with guidance and direction from other professionals.

• At the Senior level, work is performed fully independently. At the Principal level, the role either leads work over others or is considered a subject matter expert in a particular area.

• In addition to the duties described above, positions at the Senior and Principal levels are responsible for:

Advanced Responsibilities (Senior and Principal Professional):

• Serve as a lead research administration expert for pre- and post-award activities, advising faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, and administrators on grants, contracts, compliance, proposal development, funding opportunities, and award management.

• Lead, train, and mentor research administration staff and stakeholders; provide guidance on award negotiations, contract setup, external agreements (JPA/IPA), and University research systems including InfoEd and NIH eRA Commons.

• Analyze and report grant data for institutional reporting and rankings, coordinate administrative support for research review committees, foster cross-institutional collaborations, and lead policy, process improvement, and compliance initiatives.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of three (3) days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

CU Nursing is an amazing place to be. We have the distinct advantage of being a part of a huge medical campus with three incredible hospitals – the VA, the nationally ranked University of Colorado Hospital, and the Children’s Hospital Colorado where our nursing students and faculty learn every day. From our beginning 125 years ago as part of the School of Medicine at CU Boulder to our current home at the Anschutz Medical Campus, the college has been a recognized leader in nursing education (ranked #10 in online MS graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report 2023). Our faculty, students and staff have been instrumental in shaping the profession of nursing and teaching the next generation of nurses while treating patients in our own nurse-led clinics. Be a part of an innovative, dynamic, diverse, and exciting workplace -- helping make great things happen.  Join us in our quest to boldly transform health together.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offerexceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced-rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Entry Level:

• Graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, finance, accounting, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

Intermediate Level:

• Graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, finance, accounting, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

  • Substitution:A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

• One (1) year of professional-level experience.

Senior Professional Level:

• Graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, finance, accounting, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

  • Substitution:A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

• Two (2) years of professional-level experience.

Principal Professional Level:

• Graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, finance, accounting, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

  • Substitution:A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

• Three (3) years of professional-level experience.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a professional setting related to grants and contracts such as institutions of higher education and/or academic medical campuses.

• Experience interfacing with faculty in a professional research setting.

• For Senior and Principal Professional rank, experience in both pre-award and post-award research administration.

• For Principal Professional rank, experience serving as a work lead, trainer, or subject matter expert in research administration.

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA) credential.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders.

• Strong customer service orientation, professionalism, and commitment to advancing the mission of the Office of Research and Scholarship within CU Nursing.

• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment, and maintain composure in challenging situations.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Access, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.

• Knowledge of sponsored research administration, including grant application and award management processes, sponsor requirements, university policies and procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA and human subjects’ protections).

• Ability to analyze financial and administrative information, develop recommendations, and maintain accurate records and documentation related to grant submissions and post-award management.

• Ability to work independently at a level appropriate to the position rank, recognize when guidance or escalation is needed, and collaborate effectively within a team environment.

For Senior and Principal Professional ranks, demonstrated ability to perform work independently with minimal supervision; Principal Professionals must also have the ability to lead, train, and mentor others.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to the listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

Questions should be directed to: College of Nursing Human Resources at CON.HR@ucdenver.eduor 303.724.4447.

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received 10/28/26. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as:

• Entry Level: $50,160 to $56,982

• Intermediate Level: $54,586 to $62,010

• Senior Level: $59,012 to $67,038

• Principal Level: $67,864 to $77,093

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety-sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.