POSITION SUMMARY
The Simons Foundation (SF) Life Sciences and Neuroscience Collaborations Grants Administrator is responsible for providing administrative support for pre- and post-award activities to the Life Sciences and Neuroscience Collaborations portfolio of grants. The Grants Administrator will oversee the process of contacting grantees and their administrators to obtain required reporting for the grants team, and in this position, they must be well versed in SF policies and procedures, must work independently and must provide long-term ownership of grantmaking processes. The Grants Administrator must foster good working relationships, both internally and externally. The Grants Administrator reports to the Grants Manager of Neuroscience Collaborations and Senior Grants Manager of Life Sciences.
This is a full-time position located at the Simons Foundation’s offices in New York City. For more information, visit simonsfoundation.org/careers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responds to inquiries from applicants, grantees and institution administrators and determines responses using knowledge of SF policies and SOPs to inquiries from applicants, grantees and institution administrators, as well as judges when to escalate inquires to Grants Managers, to scientific program staff or to the SAM System Administrator.
- Runs the request for applications (RFA) processes for streamlined award types/RFAs, as needed.
- Comprehensively reviews all letters of intent (LOI) and full application materials submitted, directly requesting revisions from applicants as needed.
- Provides administrative support for internal and external grant reviews.
- Completes annual international award verification process to determine grantee institutions are eligible to receive funding, as well as to confirm all personnel on a grant and institution officials are not on the US Department of Treasury and UN Sanctions Lists, Terrorist Exclusion List, and/or Interpol Notices.
- Coordinates initial equivalency determination and renewal process for international grants compliance process via NGOsource.
- Assist with the processing of award letters and activation of awards.
- Helps external users troubleshoot the SF online grants management systems, ProposalCentral and Simons Award Manager (SmartSimple).
- Assists in grantee institution due diligence process and review.
- Prepares deliverable and portfolio analysis reports as needed.
- Provides the first-tier review of financial statements, progress reports, carry forward, no-cost extension, institution transfers, termination requests and other deliverables.
- In some cases, manages the final-tier review and approval of financial statements.
- Implements the grant deliverable reminder and submission process and oversees the tracking of deliverable submission, flagging areas for review and working to resolve issues or escalate to the Grants Managers.
- Coordinates directly with internal program and scientific managers/directors throughout the grant life cycle.
- Aids in the creation and maintenance of all program templates.
- Aids in defining, creating, organizing and updating program and grants team policies and processes.
- Assists with the maintenance of electronic award records in the online grants management system.
- Actively manages competing priorities to balance responsibilities and complete assignments in a timely fashion.
- Performs any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Bachelor’s degree
Experience
- At least 2 years of full-time administrative experience
- Previous experience in grants or in sponsored projects administration is ideal.
Related Skills & Other Requirements
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Exceptional attention to detail and task follow-through
- Sound judgment and discretion
- Ability to prioritize, multitask and meet competing deadlines
- Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Word, Excel and Power Point
- Knowledge of SmartSimple, proposalCENTRAL or related award management system is a plus.
- Eagerness to grow with the position as the organization’s needs evolve
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
- Please submit a résumé and a cover letter detailing your interest in the position.
Compensation & Benefits
- The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $75,000 to $80,000 depending on experience.
- In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.
THE SIMONS FOUNDATION’S DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. The Simons Foundation actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.