Position Summary
The Sponsored Programs Office supports the University's research, creative, and scholarly activities by providing financial stewardship and compliance oversight for externally funded projects.
The Contracts & Grants Analyst II manages the post-award administration of sponsored programs, ensuring awards are administered in accordance with sponsor requirements, federal and state regulations, CSU policies, and institutional procedures. The analyst serves as a trusted resource to faculty and project staff by providing financial oversight, compliance guidance, award management, and sponsor communication throughout the award lifecycle.
This position manages a portfolio of grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, centers and institutes, fee-for-service activities, and subawards. Responsibilities include financial monitoring and reporting, budget preparation, award modifications, invoicing, closeout, and advising principal investigators on compliant post-award management.
This position is eligible for hybrid or remote work. Full remote work may be considered for California residents only.
Minimum Qualifications
Contracts & Grants Analyst II candidates must have the following:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Two years of progressively responsible administrative, financial, or research administration experience.
- A related graduate degree may substitute for one year of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Ideal candidates will have experience in one or more of the following:
- Post-award grants and contracts administration in higher education or a similar research environment.
- Sponsored project financial management and reporting
- Preparing, issuing, and monitoring subawards or subcontracts
- Interpreting sponsor regulations and federal grant requirements
- Financial reconciliation, invoicing, and compliance monitoring
- Working with electronic research administration and financial systems. Workday experience a plus.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office proficiency
- Experience using Workday
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential
- For Analyst III candidates, additional experience managing complex awards such as industry-sponsored projects, clinical trials, research centers, or federal grants is highly desirable
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Post-Award Management
- Independently manage a portfolio of sponsored awards from account setup through project closeout.
- Ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and applicable federal, state, CSU, and institutional policies.
- Review award documents and implement appropriate post-award financial and administrative processes.
- Coordinate award modifications, rebudgeting, extensions, and other post-award actions.
Financial Oversight
- Monitor project budgets and expenditures for allowability, accuracy, and compliance.
- Approve financial transactions with delegated authority.
- Prepare financial reports, sponsor invoices, reconciliations, and other required documentation.
- Provide financial guidance to principal investigators and departmental staff.
- Support management of complex awards, including subawards, industry agreements, clinical trials, and research centers.
Compliance & Sponsor Relations
- Interpret sponsor guidelines, regulations, and contractual requirements.
- Communicate directly with sponsors regarding financial matters, award modifications, reporting, and compliance issues.
- Assist with audits, record retention, and project closeout activities.
- Identify compliance risks and recommend appropriate solutions.
Customer Service & Collaboration
- Serve as a primary post-award resource for faculty, staff, and campus administrators.
- Partner with internal offices to support effective award administration.
- Develop and deliver training and educational workshops on post-award topics.
- Contribute to continuous process improvement and outreach initiatives that strengthen research administration services.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Knowledge of---or the ability to quickly learn---post-award grants and contracts administration, research compliance, and financial management principles.
- Familiarity with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and higher education research administration practices.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sound professional judgment.
- Ability to interpret complex policies, regulations, and contractual language.
- Experience managing multiple priorities while meeting competing deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- High level of organization, attention to detail, confidentiality, and professionalism.
- Strong financial analysis, reconciliation, and reporting skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex requirements to diverse audiences.
- Strong customer service orientation and collaborative interpersonal skills.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and the ability to learn new enterprise systems and web-based sponsor portals.
Physical Requirements
- Work at a computer for extended periods.
- Communicate effectively in person, virtually, and by telephone.
- Read and review financial and contractual documents.
- Occasionally travel to meetings or training as needed.
This position offers the opportunity to support the University's research mission while partnering closely with faculty and sponsors to ensure responsible stewardship of sponsored funding.