Job Description

The UW Tacoma Office of Research has an outstanding opportunity for a Post-Award Grants Specialist to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of the Office of Research, the Post-Award Grants Specialist will support the extramural funding at the University of Washington Tacoma (UWT). This position will independently aid in the management of a complex portfolio of funding while working with UWT faculty and staff across all UWT schools and units to provide aspects of proposal development, and a focus on post-award management with a variety of organizations, including federal sponsors, foundations, and industry partners.

Key Responsibilities

Post-Award Management For Assigned Award Portfolios (75%):

Partner with Principal Investigators (PIs), unit administrators, and Fiscal Services staff, beginning at award kickoff, to implement and manage sponsored projects using Workday and other university systems, ensuring alignment with project aims and full compliance with university and sponsor requirements. The role primarily supports awards in smaller units (e.g., SNHCL, Milgard, SUS, and SSWCJ), as well as complex or programmatic awards across UWT. Responsibilities include:

• Budget execution & compliance: Translate proposal budgets into compliant spending plans aligned with award aims; ensure all expenditures meet sponsor and institutional requirements; communicate the information to PIs and unit staffs.
• Financial monitoring & forecasting: Monitor budgets, balances, and spend rates; ensure expenditures track with forecasts; identify and advise on needed adjustments, including planning for no-cost extensions.
• Expense & effort oversight: Conduct at least monthly reviews of expenditures for allowability with PIs; support salary and effort alignment to ensure correct charging to awards.
• Cost share management: Track, document, and report cost share commitments.
• Reporting & data analysis: Generate and analyze financial data for reporting, planning, and forecasting; support PIs in meeting sponsor reporting requirements.
• Cross-functional communication: Serve as a primary liaison with PIs, Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Grants and Contracts Accounting (GCA), and sponsor representatives to address inquiries and ensure accurate budget management.
• Workday financial management: Navigate Workday Financials to analyze financial activities, and provide actionable insights to PIs, unit staff, and other stakeholders.
• Subject matter expertise: Collaborate and work closely with PIs, unit staff, and Office of Research members to provide troubleshooting assistance, training, and back-up when needed on post award-related matters.
• Service contract stewardship: Coordinate with units on service contract development to ensure scopes of work and budgets are allowable, compliant, and financially viable.

Communication, Reporting, and Outreach (20%):

Contribute to Office of Research communications, reporting, and outreach activities to support effective information exchange and grand management capacity building across the UWT campus. Responsibilities include:

• Communications & reporting: Contribute to development of the annual research report and development of website and other communications content.
• Stakeholder engagement: Facilitate clear and consistent information exchange with PIs, unit administrators, and campus partners through award kickoff meetings, written guidance, and targeted communications.
• Policy translation: Interpret and translate complex policy, fiscal, and compliance requirements into clear, actionable guidance for diverse audiences.
• Training & capacity building: Facilitate grant management training workshops for PIs and unit administrators.
• Outreach & events support: Support communication and community engagement activities associated with Office of Research events.

Continuous Improvement & Professional Development (5%):

Maintain current knowledge of evolving grant administration policies, regulations, and best practices through required training and professional development. Contribute to process improvement initiatives within the Office of Research by identifying inefficiencies, recommending solutions, and supporting the refinement of office workflows and practices.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

• Bachelor’s degree and three years’ experience in a relevant field.

Additional Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of research administration rules and procedures, sponsored project budget development, and sponsored project post-award procedures.
• Success working on multiple projects at a time with demonstrated strong management, organization, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently with a high degree of reliability, accuracy, and productivity.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and work independently to resolve problems.
• Commitment to continuous process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to manage priorities to meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Workday Financial experience.
• Experience with an academic institution’s policies and procedures related to grant and contract management.
• Proficient in federal government grant systems such as eRA Commons, ASSIST.
• Proactive problem solver and communicator, with a desire to improve systems.
• Experience at managing grant post award fiscal activities.
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders with significantly different levels of knowledge and understanding in grant management.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$69,720.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$86,400.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law