Senior Grants and Finance Manager

The Senior Grants & Finance Manager is integral to fostering an environment and culture conducive to advancing genomics-related research excellence at the New York Genome Center (NYGC). This role oversees the administration of grants and sponsored research, serving as a key resource for Principal Investigators (PIs) and scientific staff. The incumbent manages a diverse portfolio of funding sources, including government and foundation grants, restricted gifts, fellowships, and startup packages, and advises PIs and program management, helping to set up spending plans that maximize restricted fund usage. This role may also oversee NYGC programs and large initiative funds. Acting as an expert on complex sponsored fiscal policies and procedures, the Senior Grants & Finance Manager interprets guidelines and policies, advises faculty and staff on available options or alternatives, and effectively recommends courses of action. This role liaises with departmental counterparts at faculty members' home institutions to streamline effort, spending, and other financial planning. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for PI-related deliverables, including effort reporting, quarterly expense validations, annual and quarterly fiscal reports, project closeout, and expense monitoring. The position includes direct supervision of the Pre- and Post-Award Specialist, providing guidance, training, and support. As a subject matter expert and central resource for the Grants team, the Senior Grants & Finance Manager will also participate in ERP implementation (e.g., Cayuse) and ensure compliance with grant-related policies. This position reports to the Director of Research Administration.

Key Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Pre-award Activities:

• Prepare and submit grant and contract proposals according to sponsor guidelines on behalf of NYGC as the Signing Official.
• Review Funding Opportunity (FOA) guidelines thoroughly and communicate key details with PIs and research staff. Provide summaries and checklists of required documents based on FOA requirements.
• Develop proposal budgets and compile necessary documents for prime and subawards following sponsor and institutional requirements.
• Maintain updated records of current and pending awards, biosketches, and other support documents for PIs.
• Review and submit Just-in-Time documents per sponsor requirements.

Award Setup and Management:

• Coordinate new award account setup and modifications, ensure database records are up to date.
• Review and communicate the award terms and conditions, including effort commitment, deliverable requirements, and scientific overlap.
• Meticulously review terms and conditions outlined in agreements, and negotiate with sponsors in close collaboration with the legal team as needed. Provide official sign-off to ensure compliance and alignment with organizational policies and objectives.
• Manage reduction in budget and re-budgeting processes as necessary. Review and submit prior approval requests to sponsors as needed.
• Review and submit timely non-competing progress reports in accordance with sponsor terms.
• Manage subaward agreements for Principal Investigators (PIs). Oversee subrecipient monitoring and support PIs in effectively communicating with prime and/or subaward organizations, collaborators, and other stakeholders regarding the execution and management of subawards.

Financial Management:

• Maintain accurate budget vs. actual reports for all funding sources available to PIs.
• Monitor and review expenditures; review and update financials and projections in portfolio workbooks monthly; and provide monthly reporting and continuous PI communication.
• Collaborate with PIs on budget forecasting and spending projections.
• Monitor subaward progress and invoicing to subrecipients where NYGC is the prime recipient institution.
• Review purchase orders, Concur reimbursement requests, and invoices for compliance with grant/funding terms, and NYGC’s internal expense policies.
• Closely monitor effort reporting, including facilitating PI sign-off for effort reporting cards for grant-funded personnel.
• Perform annual, quarterly, and closeout programmatic and financial reporting for the funding sponsor, as required.

Administration and Project Management:

• Track, manage, and report on specific funding sources, including sequencing-related contracts.
• Develop and maintain financial master workbooks for each faculty and funding source.
• Implement and maintain an effort reporting process and quarterly PI expense validations.
• Stay updated on compliance requirements associated with federal, state, and private funding.
• Directly supervise the Pre- and Post-Award Specialist, providing guidance, training, and support. Review proposals, deliverables and requests to sponsors.
• Lead the orientation of new staff by providing training on internal and external systems and processes.
• Manage the onboarding of new staff by creating institutional accounts on internal and external systems.
• Be actively involved in ERP Implementation (e.g., Cayuse) as a subject matter expert to review, test, and improve processes.

The highly qualified candidate will have senior-level responsibilities that require independent management of pre-award and post-award financial management. The successful candidate will play a vital role in our team, contributing expertise in both areas while demonstrating strong leadership and organizational skills.

Requirements & Qualifications:

- A bachelor’s degree in a business-related field (e.g., accounting, finance, economics) is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

- Research Administrator (CRA) certification is preferred.

- Seven or more years of related pre- and post-award or budgeting financial experience required, including:

- 3+ years of recent experience with financial administration of NIH grants.

- Experience with NSF, US DOE, and US DOD preferred.

- Proficiency with general and non-profit accounting principles.

- Experience with internal and external audits.

- Strong understanding of research compliance issues, federal agency practices, regulations, and policies, including the Uniform Guidance.

- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with PIs, research staff, and funding agencies.

- Demonstrated experience working effectively, collaboratively, and diplomatically with PIs and senior administrators required.

- Supervisory experience preferred.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with meticulous attention to detail.

- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; demonstrated proficiency in Excel and web-based tools.

- Excellent time management and organizational skills.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NYGC we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Competencies:

• Technical and Professional Skills: Consistently demonstrates skills and knowledge relevant for the current role; strives to expand the depth and breadth of technical and professional skills; works with a high level of integrity; exhibits focus and discipline; appropriately prioritizes, manages expectations, and delivers on commitments.
• Collaborative & Communicative: Models collaboration and teamwork; brings out the best in others; effectively works with all levels, internally and externally; respects and embraces diversity of perspective; communicates clearly and listens carefully; uses good judgment as to what to communicate and when to do so.
• Adaptable & Innovative: Adaptable and embraces change; develops new insights and pursues improvements and efficiency; fosters the exchange of new ideas and is willing to challenge the status quo; takes initiative and is solution-oriented; engages in work with passion and curiosity.

Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Salary & Benefits

The pay range for this position is between $124,000-$139,000 per year; the base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, NYGC offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits as well as generous time off. This includes Medical/Dental/Vision for employees &; dependent(s); Vacation, Holidays, Sick, and Other Leave, including a paid winter break; a 401(k) match; Life Insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; employee Tuition Reimbursement; flexible schedules and telework options for some positions; an Employee Assistance Program; and much more.

About the New York Genome Center

The New York Genome Center (NYGC) is an independent, nonprofit, academic research organization dedicated to advancing genomic research. NYGC scientists and staff are furthering new approaches to diagnosing and treating neurological diseases and cancer through their unique capabilities in whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, state-of-the art analytics, and the development of genomic tools. NYGC concentrates specifically on disease-based research in the following areas: neuropsychiatric disease (autism, schizophrenia, bipolar); neurodegenerative disease (ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s), and cancer.

Located in Lower Manhattan, the New York Genome Center was founded by and remains closely affiliated with the leading academic medical centers and research universities in the New York region, engaging in research projects with and for these institutions. Essential to our collaborative work is an outstanding faculty, whose members typically hold a joint appointment at NYGC and a partner university. They support our scientific mission by conducting independent research in areas of mutual interest to us and the wider scientific community.

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to fostering a workplace environment that is welcoming and fair to all, ensuring that every employee has the opportunity to thrive. We believe that bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to greater collaboration, innovation, and discovery. Valuing and supporting each employee in reaching their full potential strengthens our organization and enhances our collective success. We recognize that creating an environment where all employees feel valued and included requires sustained effort and dedication from the entire organization.

The New York Genome Center is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, protected veteran or military status, domestic violence victim status, partnership status, caregiver status, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. NYGC takes affirmative action in support of its policy to hire and advance in employment individuals who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.