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Grants & Contracts Manager
The Manager serves as a member of a team of professionals in the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) Grants & Contracts Office (G&C), supporting the Associate Director and responsible for managing day-to-day reporting tasks for sponsored projects and providing first-line assistance to all staff in the grant administration area. The Award Management Manager is responsible for the success of the workstreams and team members they oversee.
Within Award Management, the Manager supervises, manages and develops Staff (10 - 12 employees) in the performance of the day-to-day tasks related to sponsored projects by serving as an expert resource on all aspects of research administration. This position will have responsibility for oversight of workstreams and staff productivity and performance within their purview through the assignment of staff workload and service level expectations, as well as the development and reporting of metrics, reports, and consistent utilization of SOPs. In order to develop staff, the Manager provides guidance, training and quality assurance to staff and is directly responsible for developing staff to achieve the next level of expertise and performance. This individual is a part of the G&C Management Team and works closely and collaboratively with G&C managers to ensure the success of their teams and overall G&C operations.
The ideal candidate will have leadership experience in research administration post award experience, experience managing teams, familiarity with sponsored project regulations, accounting principles, and financial reporting. Preferred qualifications may include advanced experience with sponsored award management and supervising staff in a complex academic or research environment.
The typical work schedule is Monday – Friday 8am -5pm.
Work Location: Remote (must be willing to attend meetings onsite quarterly)
Why Us?
As a Manager of Grants & Contracts, this role directly supports the mission of advancing cancer research by leading teams who ensure compliance, financial stewardship, and operational excellence for sponsored projects. The position provides opportunities to contribute strategically, mentor staff, and collaborate across a high impact research environment while benefiting from strong institutional support and work life balance.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Responsibilities
Management & Oversight • Perform management and oversight activities to ensure productivity and achievement of service levels
• Ensure compliance with accounting principles, sponsor requirements, and federal, state, and institutional policies
• Provide guidance, training, and quality assurance to develop staff toward higher performance levels
• Assign workload and ensure adherence to standard operating procedures
Operational Leadership • Oversee monitoring of sponsored award spending for allowability and compliance
• Manage payroll and sponsored project effort processes
• Oversee preparation of financial and accounting reports to sponsors
• Ensure timely and compliant financial and non financial closeout of sponsored projects
• Support institutional audit engagement and response activities
Cross Functional Collaboration • Work with G&C Managers to coordinate cross functional processes and procedures
• Identify and escalate operational challenges and offer potential solutions
• Maintain a cohesive “one office” approach to support seamless customer service and issue resolution
Policy & Regulatory Compliance • Stay current on sponsor requirements, institutional policies, federal and state regulations, and internal procedures
• Provide backfill and transactional support during workload spikes
Special Projects • Take ownership of or support special projects as assigned
• Collaborate across G&C Management to understand project goals and organizational impacts
EDUCATION
- Required: Bachelor's Degree Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field.
- Preferred: Bachelor's Degree Accounting. or
- Preferred: Master's Degree Business Administration
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required: 5 years Professional experience in finance, accounting or related field to include three years of supervisory or project management experience.
Successful completion of the LEADing Self Accelerate and/or LEADing Self Discover programs may substitute for one year of required supervisory or management experience. Completion of both programs can be substituted for a maximum of two years of supervisory or management experience.
- Preferred: Knowledgeable in accounting principles in federal and state guidelines, federal financial reporting, and research administration post award experience.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Preferred: CPA - Certified Public Accountant Upon Hire
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Five or more years of grants and contracts experience and five years of supervisory experience.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
