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SEARCH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
When you join the UMass Chan Medical School team, you join us in advancing together to improve the health and well-being of our diverse communities throughout Massachusetts and across the US and the world. Together, we lead in education, research, health care delivery, and public service. Your life’s work is more than a career. It’s an expression of your passion, intellect, skill, and drive. UMass Chan's commitment to excellence, innovation, competitive benefits, and work-life integration will allow you to build a professionally rewarding career as we work together to better or improve the health of people around the globe.
Category: Accounting & Finance
Location: Worcester, MA
Shift: Day
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Business Unit: UMass Chan Medical School
Department: School - Pathology - W821900
Job Type: Full-Time
Num. Openings: 1
Post Date: Aug. 22, 2025
GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Under the general direction of the Department Administrator, or designee, the Grant and Contract Specialist II is responsible for performing diversified and complex administrative, financial, and pre and post-award budgetary functions in support of departmental activities, to include both responsibilities for both restricted and unrestricted departmental funds.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide assistance in the management of all pre-award administration, to include, but not limited to, advising Administrator and PI of sponsor guidelines, participation in application assembly, budget preparation, faculty guidance, e-submission processes, UMMS required paperwork, etc. and other administrative requirements for the submission of all federal and non-federal grants and contracts
- Monitor regulatory and compliance requirements for all sponsored research activity, keeping detailed files and a tracking mechanism for annual renewals. Inform Administrator of variances
- Assist in analytical studies of existing or proposed clinical trials to provide the economic basis for management decisions to improve operational/financial performance and to realize productivity improvements
- Monitor all clinical trial funding sources by tracking revenue and expenditure activity and monitoring of trial milestones, identify variances and assist in resolving account variances
- Monitor contracts, extensions, and amendments with outside vendors, private agencies, and consultants in conjunction with Purchasing and legal offices; monitor the contracts for cost effectiveness and quality performance standards
- Prepare data for financial reports, budgets, budget and research fund reconciliations, forecasting, analysis, and ad-hoc reports for Administrators and PI”s as needed. Perform analysis of data as required
- Work with the Administrator, principal investigators, and staff to resolve problems and to optimize the use of funds as required; finalize all expenditure activity of expired grants; deposit checks to any income and service fund accounts
- Manage all phases of post-award grants and contracts administration, to include monitoring budgets, expenses, and recovered overhead. Advise Administrator and PI of reporting requirements
- Assist faculty in finding possible funding opportunities
- Coordinate pre-award submission activity for the department
- Monitor post-award activities to insure adherence to sponsor guidelines and all reporting requirements are met. Inform Administrator and PI on budget variances
- Oversee changes to award budgets and the submission of the necessary paperwork for approval of such actions
- Prepare reports for federal and sponsoring agencies
- Assist and participate with Grant Accounting in award termination process to close-out accounts. Notify Administrator and PI of final status
- Monitor operating expenses, prepare monthly variance-to-budget reports, Departmental voluntary and mandatory cost sharing, and advise the Administrator on reconciliation actions
- Responsible for the process of initiating and submitting payroll personnel action forms related to transfers, funding changes etc. Audit the accuracy of employee payroll data
- Oversee the processing of consultant agreements, travel vouchers, purchase orders, reallocation of expenditures, and other expenses
- May act as an external liaison
- Perform other duties as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting, or equivalent experience
- 3 years of relevant job experience, or equivalent, preferably in an academic environment.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret financial documents, such as system reports, at both account and summary levels
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access and, PowerPoint), or similar software applications. Knowledge of enterprise financial products
- Excellent interpersonal skills (verbal and written) needed to present and communicate effectively with all levels of management.
Posting Disclaimer:
This job posting outlines the primary responsibilities and qualifications for the role but is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
Duties and expectations may evolve in response to the needs of the department and the broader institution.
In alignment with our commitment to pay transparency, the base salary range for this position is listed above (exclusive of benefits and retirement).
At UMass Chan Medical School, final base salary offers are determined based on a combination of factors, including your skills, education, and relevant experience.
We also consider internal equity to ensure fair and consistent compensation across our teams.
Please note that the range provided reflects the full base salary range for this position. Offers are typically made within the midrange to allow for future growth and development within the role.
In addition to base pay, UMass Chan offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package, which includes paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and participation in a 401(a)-retirement plan, with the option to contribute to a voluntary 403(b) plan.
UMass Chan welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

