Post-Award Grant Specialist

Job Summary:

This Post-Award Grant Specialist is a subject matter expert responsible for managing, developing, implementing, and overseeing all post-award functions for the Department of Pediatrics, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Department. The Post-Award Specialist also manages all research account activity for AEF, DEF, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and gift funds related to research activity. The position includes overall fiscal management of grants and contracts for specific sections and/or Principal Investigators and has authority to make business decisions as they relate to the administration of these grants.

Key Responsibilities:

• Notification of Award (15%25)

  • Review notice of grant award with Principal Investigator to make note of any special restrictions.

  • Work with Principal Investigator to re-budget if sponsor notice of award is less than initially requested.

  • Confirm budget information is set up according to approved sponsor budget.

  • Review F&A rate and application of costs to total budget as per sponsor’s instructions.

  • Issue Work Order to Children’s Hospital Colorado for services required by project, if applicable.

• Subcontract Administration (15%25)

  • Establish subcontracts as per notice of grant awards with participating institutions.

  • Facilitate the submission and payment of invoices in a timely manner.

  • Work directly with the subcontractor, Principal Investigator, and Post-Award Office to resolve any outstanding issues.

  • Notify Principal Investigator of any contractual issues and/or potential problems.

• Payroll and Funding Distribution (15%25)

  • Work with Principal Investigator proactively to establish correct funding and effort of personnel for each sponsored project.

  • Review funding distribution monthly to ensure there are no gaps in funding, while minimizing the need for retro payroll expense transfers (PETs).

  • Make all necessary funding changes each month per payroll deadlines.

  • Prepare retroactive payroll expense transfers as per institutional policy and Principal Investigator direction.

  • Assist with any necessary corrections required for ePER’s (effort reporting certifications).

• General Post-Award Management (15%25)

  • Contact sponsors regarding re-budgeting requests, carry-forward requests, etc.

  • Work with the Office of Grants and Contracts regarding late payments and/or late invoicing.

  • Prepare and reconcile Federal Financial Reports and Final Expenditure Reports before submission to the Office of Grants and Contracts for submission to the sponsor.

  • Manage 30-, 60-, and 90-day reports to ensure all outstanding items are addressed prior to the budget/project end date.

• Reporting (15%25)

  • Meet with section Principal Investigators on a monthly basis.

  • Prepare projection reports, inclusive of a review of revenue, expenditures, available balances, and encumbrances.

  • Prepare and submit journal entries.

  • Develop a reconciliation process and communicate to Principal Investigators.

  • Assist Principal Investigators with problems as they occur and document trends.

• Closeout (15%25)

  • Reconcile direct and indirect expenses for projects to ensure all appropriate expenses have been posted to the project speed type before the closeout process.

  • Review and reconcile all invoices have been billed and payments have been received.

  • Ensure all subcontract invoices have been received and paid, if applicable.

• Other (5%25)

  • Present quarterly reports to Section Heads providing an overview of budget and cash balances for all active and inactive grants/contracts with outstanding issues needing resolution, as well as all proposals submitted over the last twelve months with updated status.

  • Update annual section review information for the prior fiscal year research grant/contract activity, providing an overview of total dollars by sponsor type in expenditures.

  • Assist with the annual cFTE setting process/CARE model by providing additional data on research funding for faculty that also have clinical commitments

  • Prepare ad hoc reports as needed.

• Other duties and tasks as assigned (5%25)

Work Location:

Remote – this role is eligible to work remotely, but the employee must be in the United States.

Why Join Us:

The Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest Departments in the School of Medicine and is rapidly growing. It includes 26 sections, including over 1,300 faculty members. The Department of Pediatrics has more than $126 million in grant awards annually, with over $63 million from the NIH.  In FY 2026, the Post-Award Team was responsible for approximately 600 awards (including but not limited to Federal, State, Foundation, and Industry) for over 265 active Principal Investigators.  The Post-Award Grants Specialist is part of a team of Specialists that oversee the grants management for the entire Department of Pediatrics.  The major function of the position is to provide comprehensive administrative and financial management of sponsored programs to Principal Investigators/ designees within the Department of Pediatrics. It will include fiscal, contractual, and operational responsibilities for the efficient operation of the grant management process.  The position will also be responsible for working closely with other Department of Pediatrics research support personnel within the individual sections to provide training, guidance, and oversight.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced-rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Accounting, Finance, or a business-related major.

  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

• Three (3) or more years of experience in preparing detailed budgets, expense reports, and financial projections.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

• Must be willing and able to successfully pass a 10-panel drug test.

• Must be willing and able to successfully pass a national criminal and sex-offender background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) or more years of advanced or expert-level experience with post-award grants and contracts management.

• One to two (1-2) years of experience in preparing contracts, subcontracts, project agreements, and/or memorandums of understanding.

• Experience in interpreting and applying policies from multiple levels of authority (federal, state, and institutional) and serving as a resource for others.

• Experience in leading meetings, presenting financial reports, and/or making presentations to management.

• Experience working in an academic environment or medical center.

• Experience working with PeopleSoft (HCM/Finance).

• Experience using spreadsheets (Excel), email (Outlook), and calendar software.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse community and employees at all levels throughout the institution.

• Outstanding customer service skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Time management, independent thought, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential.

• Demonstrated ability to self-manage priorities and be proactive in resolving issues.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a high level of tact and diplomacy.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to the listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Jeanette Leeser, Jeanette.Leeser@childrenscolorado.org

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by October 23, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $67,864 to $90,937.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety-sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.