RTI International's Proposal and Grants team has an opening for a Grants Administrator who under general instructions will provide management, guidance, and proposal submission support for grants and cooperative agreements, including guidance on various rules and regulations (the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), supplementary regulations, and grant terms and conditions) that may affect technical and cost strategies, grant negotiations and may present a risk to RTI that would require mitigation.
The Grants Administrator must have the ability to:
Manage, review, and submit proposals and supplements for assistance agreements, grants, and cooperative agreements, including reviewing and advising on proposal rules and regulations.
Under general guidance, research regulations and perform analysis to determine appropriate courses of action.
Advise technical staff, finance partners, and other stakeholders at all levels regarding grant terms and conditions and related risks.
Under general guidance, review funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) and pricing information for business risks, including financial, performance-related, reputational, and other risks to be mitigated.
Identify risks and issues, suggests alternatives that lead to the best solution, or engage other units and expertise as necessary to address the risk. Review and provide input into At-Risk memos documenting the contractual risks.
Collaborate with subcontracts, procurement, finance, and technical staff on issues relative to engaging sub-recipients, contractors under assistance, and consultants and addressing their performance related to prime grant performance.
Under general guidance, review and ensure that sub-recipients, contractors under assistance, and consultants have provided necessary pre-award documentation for the appropriate response to a funding opportunity announcement and that related approvals, consents, and waivers are submitted.
Under general guidance, prepare teaming agreements, non-disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements, IP disclosures, correspondence with customers, and other documents.
Eventually may be granted signature authority for awards documents and contracts between $0 - $5 million.
Communicate within Contracts team to advise of compliance or other issues which will continue upon award execution.
Understand and apply RTI directives on financial accountability and financial controls, such levels of appropriate financial review.
Develop and integrate contract management tools, templates, methods, and processes for the engagement
Understand and apply RTI Policies and Procedures and organizational operating directives to the work as assigned.
Participate on project teams as needed to update, review, redraft or redesign contract management tools, templates, methods, and processes for the engagement.
Resolve moderately complex contractual and business issues skillfully and independently (though with some general guidance as necessary) applying sound judgment.
Develop expertise in assigned business areas by attending technical unit meetings, presentations, and other forums to understand the technical business and its contracting needs.
Build good collaborative relationships with research staff and business personnel in assigned business areas.
Escalate complex and risk-related grants issues appropriately to avoid unnecessary delays.
Regularly consult with senior staff in Contracts regarding particularly difficult or unfamiliar contract issues.
Identify and proactively support process improvements to maximize internal and external customer satisfaction, and achieve increased effectiveness and efficiency.
With general guidance, manage the contract change control process, identify the need for prior approvals, and manage the client relationships.
With general guidance, analyze significant and/or unique grant requirements, special provisions, terms, and conditions to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, corporate policies, and business practices. Is viewed as an effective and reliable business partner who can assist in new business pursuits and associated grant strategy. Participate in the development of business alliances and partnering agreements.
Participate in the set-up of grants and grant modifications in Cost Point and ensure the issuance of contract brief like documents
Identify, develop, draft, implement and assist with delivering training on grant issues, policies, and procedures.
Share knowledge gained and lessons learned with other Office of Contracts staff, Finance, and other team members to enhance the knowledge of RTI as a whole.
Work with mentor/"buddy" on all work activities for at least the first six months of the assignment in this role, as needed. Otherwise, regularly seeks advice from senior-level Contracts staff.
This position is open to full-time teleworking within the United States as well as being based in one of our US regional offices. The anticipated pay range for this role is between $50,000 - $70,000.
RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.
At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for mothers and fathers, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or relative field with 0 - 3 years of related contract experience
Basic knowledge of standard grant and cooperative agreements and regulations that may include 2 CFR 200 and other supplementary regulations, terms, and conditions.
Experience working in a cooperative, collaborative manner with government clients.
Good analytical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Highly organized
Good business knowledge and ability to understand RTI's policy and procedures, operating guidance coupled with the ability to apply these policies and procedures in submitting the business proposal, and explain the applicability.
Strong written and oral communication skills
Good negotiation skills and understanding of the negotiation process
Ability to discern enumerated risks.
Ability to meet business-driven deadlines and commitments while maintaining a high level of quality and professionalism.
Ability to use judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
Ability to work seamlessly with other contracting staff.
Ability to resolve issues with general supervision.
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in all dealings with RTI's internal and external clients.
General knowledge of general corporate business practices, government and commercial contracting regulations and principles, and subcontracting practices
Able to resolve contractual and pricing issues skillfully with reliable judgment.
Able to advise and interact with all levels of management, both verbally and in writing
Able to understand and critically analyze contractual issues and propose solutions to resolve and negotiate contract disputes.
Proficiency in computer-based business applications (Microsoft software products, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, or comparable software)
Demonstrated reasoning, common sense, logical thinking, judgment, and exemplary ethics and integrity.
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. RTI will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
