Contracts & Grants Fund Manager - 140977

In 2022, businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford committed $150 million to the creation of the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at UC San Diego. This gift combines current infrastructure with new Centers intended to leverage the advantages of space-based science, including expansion and, in some ways, quite literally launch stem cell research and regenerative medicine at UC San Diego into new spaces, endeavors, and training of future stem cell scientists.

Sanford Stem Cell Institute provides essential physical and human resources needed to leverage stem cell research currently being conducted at UC San Diego. Due to the complexity of regenerative medicine projects and substantial institutional investment, daily Sanford Stem Cell Institute personnel work with all 9 Vice Chancellor areas: Academic Affairs; Research Affairs; Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; Student Affairs; Marine Sciences; Health Sciences; Health System; Chief Financial Officer; Advancement; Resource Management and Planning.

As part of UC San Diego, Sanford Stem Cell Institute motivates University-wide change, sustainability, and partnership, focusing on creating the structure under which various innovative regenerative medicine units and initiatives are developed.

The new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute builds upon a $100 million gift in 2013 from T. Denny Sanford that established UC San Diego as a leader in developing and delivering the therapeutic promise of human stem cells - special cells with the ability to develop into many different cell types and which, when modified and repurposed, have the potential to treat, remedy or cure a vast array of conditions and diseases.

The new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute includes six (6) stem cell Centers led by Center Directors and Deputy Directors.

1. Sanford Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) Center, for stem cell research that will be conducted in a laboratory bay located aboard the International Space Station currently in low-Earth orbit.

2. Sanford Stem Cell Fitness and Space Medicine Center, which conducts in-depth space fitness and orbital medicine that can benefit both astronauts and people living on Earth.

3. Sanford Stem Cell Innovation Center, which will support regenerative medicine company development, including contract research in low-Earth orbit.

4. Sanford Stem Cell Discovery Center, which conducts basic and translational stem cell research.

5. Sanford Advanced Therapy Center, which provides fundamental tools and services to move basic research findings to next stages, such as early phase trials.

6. Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center, which conducts research to accelerate relevant drug and therapy development in regenerative medicine, including clinical trials.

This experienced-level professional serves as a research administrator and steward of sponsored and gift funds. The incumbent applies advanced knowledge of research administration principles to independently manage the full range of pre- and post-award activities, analyze complex issues, and develop effective solutions.

Reporting to the Finance Director within the Sanford Stem Cell Institute (SSCI) Business Office, this position leads the coordination of contract and grant proposals, sponsored research administration, and gift fund management. The role also oversees a complex portfolio of funding sources supporting SSCI and its affiliated programs.

The incumbent independently develops and manages research proposals, awards, contracts, grants, and gift funds while ensuring compliance with institutional policies and sponsor regulations. Responsibilities include proposal review and submission, award negotiation and administration, budget development, financial analysis and reporting, fund management, and award closeout. The position supports complex projects involving multiple investigators, funding sources, and subawards, and prepares or approves transactions.

This role provides analytical and financial expertise throughout the research and unique fund account lifecycle, including proposal development, budget forecasting, portfolio planning, post-award financial management, compliance monitoring, auditing, and subaward administration. The incumbent ensures the effective stewardship of sponsored and gift funds while supporting the Institute's mission.

• Seven years of related experience, education/training, OR an Bachelor's degree in related area plus three years of related experience/training.

• Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.

• Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.

• Ability to manage significant volume of transactions.

• Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.

• Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.

• Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.

• Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.

• Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles. Knowledge and application of principles and practices of fiscal planning and analysis. Ability to analyze and prepare budgets, to identify spending patterns and project future expenditures based on a large quantity of data.

• Theoretical knowledge of multi-disciplinary research with a broad understanding of the disciplines, the research, their role in higher education, and the relationship it has with campus, multi-campus, and the community. Ability to apply theoretical knowledge in written communications that express content related to the disciplines.

• Demonstrated skill in collecting cost data for large proposals, including salary information, large equipment aquisition and sub-award data. Preparing multi -year proposals with these elements.

• Capacity for additional responsibilities/tasks; commitment to continuous process improvement to learn new and varied skills as needed for all aspects of position; willingness to try new procedures for speed, efficiency and innovative output.

• Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas. Customer interaction/communication skills. Collaboration skills and experience explaining financial information, budgets, reports to others with diplomacy. Experience interacting with faculty/researchers/Principal Investigators or the ability to learn.

• Excellent organizational skills; demonstrated ability to independtly work on projects with competing deadlines and to establish goals and workload priorities to meet established and variable deadlines; flexibility in dealing with people and competing demands.

• Proven ability to work independently and productively as part of a group. Prioritization skills. Time management/deadline skills. Multi-tasking skills. Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and abide by the University's Principles of Community.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal and non-federal agency requirements and regulations for sponsored research, from proposal preparation through close out, including but not limited to Cost Accounting Standards, OMBA 121, FDP policies, etc.

• Effective problem solving skills. Ability to identify problems and recommend actions to senior management and central campus administrators.

• Proficiency in utilizing reports and queries through Cognos, Tableau, and Oracle Cloud/Financial.

• Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.

• Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.

• Knowledge preparing budgets for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

• Demonstrated experience in principles and practices of fund accounting, cost analysis and audit procedures including UCSD Internal audit requirements.

• Experience with UC San Diego systems and programs including Kuali Research, Oracle, DOPE, UCPath, and more

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.