Senior Research Administrator

Boston, MA

Hybrid Role

Rate: $43/hr - $49/hr

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our client is seeking a Senior Research Administrator to join the Department of Medical Oncology and the Divisions of Molecular and Cellular Oncology and Solid Tumors in Boston, MA. This leadership position is responsible for the autonomous management of complex research portfolios for one or more laboratories, encompassing a diverse range of funding sources including federal, industry, foundation, donor, institutional, chargeback, and clinical trials. The Senior Research Administrator serves as a senior resource within the department and across the Institute, providing advanced expertise, guidance, and mentorship to colleagues. This role collaborates closely with faculty and researchers on grant preparation, financial management, compliance, procurement, and human resources activities. Additional responsibilities include leading training initiatives, managing special projects, and representing the department on institutional committees and workgroups. The Senior Research Administrator partners with department leadership and faculty to set strategy and provide expert guidance on research administration matters. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of relevant experience in a healthcare or research setting, with expertise in pre- and post-award grant management and experience with NIH funding. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Manage complex research portfolios for multiple laboratories, including federal, industry, foundation, donor, institutional, chargeback, and clinical trial funding sources
• Lead and oversee all administrative aspects of grant preparation (pre-award), including sponsor eligibility review, application coordination, drafting non-scientific proposal materials, and submission processes
• Coordinate with administrators and faculty from other departments or organizations to complete proposals and ensure timely submission
• Oversee post-award financial management, including budget adherence, financial and narrative reporting, projections, and monitoring of receivables and milestones for industry agreements and clinical trials
• Approve and initiate procurement requests for investigators and laboratory members, verify fund availability, ensure expenses are allowable and correctly allocated, and review/approve bills for core and center services
• Manage human resources processes, including financial analysis for onboarding, job description development, posting positions, salary offers, visa processing, merit and promotion requests, salary allocations, and offboarding procedures
• Ensure compliance with internal and external policies, consult on agreements (MTA, DUA, consulting), advise on conflict of interest and foreign influence, and educate researchers on NIH Grants Policy Statement and institutional policies
• Assist with pricing development and annual review for cores, centers, and chargebacks, manage monthly billing for internal and external customers, and ensure revenue meets expenditures
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and training to colleagues, lead educational efforts, and serve as a senior resource within the department and across the Institute
• Collaborate with central offices such as Research Finance, Grants and Contracts, Clinical Trials Office, Office of General Counsel, and Innovations Office
• Manage special projects and assignments within or across departments, and represent the department on institutional committees and workgroups
• Partner with department leadership and faculty to set strategy and provide expert guidance on research administration matters

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in a healthcare or research setting
• Pre- and post-award grant administration experience in a healthcare or research environment
• Experience working with NIH funding; DOD funding experience is a plus
• Advanced knowledge of federal, industry, foundation, donor, institutional, chargeback, and clinical trial funding mechanisms
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex research portfolios for multiple laboratories
• Strong leadership skills, including mentoring, training, and serving as a senior resource to less experienced colleagues
• Proficiency in financial management, reporting, and compliance for sponsored and institutional funds
• Experience collaborating with central offices (e.g., Research Finance, Grants and Contracts, Clinical Trials Office, Office of General Counsel, Innovations Office)
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills