Edtech.com's Summary

Columbia University is hiring a Senior Contracts Officer to manage the financial operations and contracts related to the MRSEC program within the Columbia Nano Initiative. The role involves preparing and monitoring budgets, coordinating grant proposals and reports, managing subcontract billing, organizing key events, and ensuring compliance with funding agency policies.

Highlights

Manages financial operations and research accounts for MRSEC and associated PIs.
Coordinates grant proposal preparation, submission, and financial reporting for external agencies such as NSF.
Handles subcontract management, billing, and payments.
Organizes major events including annual retreats, sponsor visits, and workshops.
Develops outreach materials, manages publicity, and maintains MRSEC communications and website content.
Prepares annual and periodic performance reports to funding agencies ensuring compliance with policies.
Requires proficiency in Excel and advanced computer skills.
Minimum qualifications include a BS degree (preferably scientific or technical) and 3-5 years of relevant financial or research experience.
Must demonstrate ability to work independently, collaborate with faculty and staff, and manage multiple priorities.
Salary range is $76,000 to $87,000 for a full-time Officer of Administration position.

Senior Contracts Officer Full Description

Salary Range: $76,000 to $87,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Finance & Administration for the Columbia Nano Initiative (CNI) and working closely with the Directors of MRSEC, the Contracts Officer demonstrates initiative and accountability for major deliverables in the MRSEC program, operating under broad directions and goals and collaborating closely with the director and the CNI/CISE Director of Finance & Administration. The incumbent manages the general financial operations of MRSEC, and MRSEC associated PI’s, including direct management of MRSEC-based research accounts, as well as accounts related to MRSEC PI’s, managing and monitoring account expenditures and special projects and provides monthly financial report to PIs and detailed monthly report to the Managing Director. Works closely with the MRSEC Directors to plan and operate MRSEC activities. Develops outreach and other "marketing"-type program materials as needed. Manages and executes key MRSEC events including annual retreat, visits by program sponsors, workshops and other events; manages the publicity for events, prepares and disseminates announcements. Gathers and prepares information necessary for government grant annual and periodic performance reports for the MRSEC to the National Science Foundation and other agency sponsors. Ensures compliance with appropriate granting agency policies and regulations. Prepares annual reports to sponsoring agencies and other supporting agencies with technical input from the Managing Director. Manages subcontract interactions, reporting, and billing. Ensures collection and coordination of material required for reporting and presentations, including statistics, video, photographs, and other information.

Responsibilities

(20%) Works closely with PIs to prepare and submit grant proposals, including budget costing and preparation, and preparation of other support documents and forms. Coordinates submissions for large and complex grants and submissions to sponsoring agencies within tight timeframes. Works with SPA to set up and submit, and monitor subcontracts.
(20%) Coordinates required and ad hoc financial reporting, including reports for external agencies (such as NSF). Responsible for executing various financial activities, including budgets, accounts, reports, reconciliations, reimbursements, accounts payable, etc. for MRSEC and the Columbia Nano Initiative.
(25%) Assists PIs and Departmental Staff in the financial management of MRSEC operations, including account setups, management of individual scopes, grant financial closeouts, expenditure management, logs of commitments and reconciliations to financial statements, subcontract billing, payments, and accounts, and other assistance to faculty and students. Manages PCard purchasing for the MRSEC group and supports the Director of Finance & Administration in academic and student hiring for the MRSEC group.
(5%) Performs archival management for the program, including the development and maintenance of a filing system for key MRSEC documents, and the collection, organization, and maintenance of graphics and photographs, maintenance of official proposal and report documents, management of mailing lists, and maintenance of inventory records and equipment.
(10%) Coordinates major events, including annual retreats, reviews, and visitations. Provides support and execution of minor events and other ongoing programs, including Thrust meetings, seminars, etc..
(10%) Functions as the primary external contact point for MRSEC. Maintains register and email list of MRSEC contacts, maintains website content and design, and arranges web updates to software and server. Responds promptly to general inquiries, disseminates announcements and coordinates publicity, promotes awareness of MRSEC, and issues news releases.
(5%) Responsible for executing various financial activities, including budgets, accounts, reports, reconciliations, reimbursements, accounts payable, etc. Provides administrative and financial support for other programs and operations within the Columbia Nano Initiative. Supports the Director of Finance & Administration in audit response preparation related to the MRSEC grants and the grants of MRSEC-affiliated PIs.
(5%) Performs other tasks, duties, and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

BS Degree or equivalent, preferably in a scientific, engineering, or other technical field required.
Three - five years of experience in financial, research, or business-based professional activity.
Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Quantitative skills are essential for this position.
Excellent interpersonal skills are necessary.
Must be able to work interactively and collaboratively with faculty, research staff, CISE office personnel, University offices, and external granting agencies.
Must show attention to detail and must be able to prioritize tasks. Excellent computer, organizational, and communication skills required.
Proficiency with Excel and other related software at an advanced level is extremely important.
Must be flexible in terms of working hours in keeping with changing priorities and deadlines.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

Original Job Description

Salary Range: $76,000 to $87,000

Position Summary

Responsibilities

(20%) Works closely with PIs to prepare and submit grant proposals, including budget costing and preparation, and preparation of other support documents and forms. Coordinates submissions for large and complex grants and submissions to sponsoring agencies within tight timeframes. Works with SPA to set up and submit, and monitor subcontracts.
(20%) Coordinates required and ad hoc financial reporting, including reports for external agencies (such as NSF). Responsible for executing various financial activities, including budgets, accounts, reports, reconciliations, reimbursements, accounts payable, etc. for MRSEC and the Columbia Nano Initiative.
(25%) Assists PIs and Departmental Staff in the financial management of MRSEC operations, including account setups, management of individual scopes, grant financial closeouts, expenditure management, logs of commitments and reconciliations to financial statements, subcontract billing, payments, and accounts, and other assistance to faculty and students. Manages PCard purchasing for the MRSEC group and supports the Director of Finance & Administration in academic and student hiring for the MRSEC group.
(5%) Performs archival management for the program, including the development and maintenance of a filing system for key MRSEC documents, and the collection, organization, and maintenance of graphics and photographs, maintenance of official proposal and report documents, management of mailing lists, and maintenance of inventory records and equipment.
(10%) Coordinates major events, including annual retreats, reviews, and visitations. Provides support and execution of minor events and other ongoing programs, including Thrust meetings, seminars, etc..
(10%) Functions as the primary external contact point for MRSEC. Maintains register and email list of MRSEC contacts, maintains website content and design, and arranges web updates to software and server. Responds promptly to general inquiries, disseminates announcements and coordinates publicity, promotes awareness of MRSEC, and issues news releases.
(5%) Responsible for executing various financial activities, including budgets, accounts, reports, reconciliations, reimbursements, accounts payable, etc. Provides administrative and financial support for other programs and operations within the Columbia Nano Initiative. Supports the Director of Finance & Administration in audit response preparation related to the MRSEC grants and the grants of MRSEC-affiliated PIs.
(5%) Performs other tasks, duties, and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

BS Degree or equivalent, preferably in a scientific, engineering, or other technical field required.
Three - five years of experience in financial, research, or business-based professional activity.
Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Quantitative skills are essential for this position.
Excellent interpersonal skills are necessary.
Must be able to work interactively and collaboratively with faculty, research staff, CISE office personnel, University offices, and external granting agencies.
Must show attention to detail and must be able to prioritize tasks. Excellent computer, organizational, and communication skills required.
Proficiency with Excel and other related software at an advanced level is extremely important.
Must be flexible in terms of working hours in keeping with changing priorities and deadlines.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

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