Team Lead, Grants Program Managers

Company Description

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace; it is a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you! 

Job Description

The Grants Program Management (GPM) Team Lead provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and technical expertise to a team of Grants Program Managers supporting the administration of externally sponsored research awards across the University. Serving as a trusted partner to faculty, researchers, and departmental administrators, this role ensures the accurate and compliant financial and administrative management of sponsored projects throughout the post-award lifecycle.

Reporting to the Director of Grants Program Management, the Team Lead oversees team performance, workload distribution, quality assurance, and professional development while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture. The Team Lead provides guidance on complex grant and contract administration, regulatory compliance, sponsor requirements, and University policies, ensuring consistent and high-quality post-award support. This role partners closely with Research Contracts Administration, Research Compliance, Research Business Information Systems & Operations, Research and Sponsored Programs Accounting (RSPA), and other University stakeholders to promote efficient research administration processes, resolve complex issues, and implement continuous process improvements.

The GPM Team Lead serves as a subject matter expert and mentor, coaching team members while helping researchers effectively manage sponsored funding and financial resources. By ensuring sound stewardship of research awards and advancing operational excellence, this position enables faculty to focus on conducting innovative research that advances the University's mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop a team of Grants Program Managers, fostering a collaborative, customer-focused, and high-performing work environment.
• Oversee the post-award administration of sponsored projects, ensuring compliance with federal and non-federal regulations, sponsor requirements, University policies, and award terms and conditions.
• Manage team workload and resource allocation to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent service delivery across a diverse research portfolio.
• Perform quality assurance reviews of post-award activities, financial transactions, reporting, and compliance documentation to maintain operational excellence.
• Provide expert guidance on complex post-award matters, including award management, financial oversight, cost principles, effort reporting, prior approvals, award modifications, closeout, and audit readiness.
• Partner with faculty, department administrators, and University stakeholders to resolve complex award management issues and provide consultative support throughout the post-award lifecycle.
• Collaborate with internal research administration offices to improve workflows, enhance operational efficiencies, and implement best practices across sponsored research administration.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and contribute to the development, implementation, and documentation of new policies, procedures, and business practices.
• Lead onboarding, technical training, coaching, and ongoing professional development activities for team members to strengthen expertise and ensure consistent service delivery.
• Monitor changes to sponsor regulations, federal guidance, and institutional policies, communicating updates and ensuring appropriate implementation across the team.
• Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, mitigate risk, support decision-making, and improve research administration outcomes.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and escalation point for complex post-award administration, financial management, and compliance matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in post-award research administration, grants management, or a related field.
• Experience working in collaborative, matrixed organizations supporting multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sponsored research administration, grant and contract regulations, financial management, and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, coach and mentor staff, manage competing priorities, and build productive working relationships.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and financial management systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting sponsored research administration within higher education or across multiple research institutions.
• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Experience interpreting and implementing federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, and institutional policies governing sponsored research.
• Demonstrated success leading process improvements, operational initiatives, and organizational change within a research administration environment.

Additional Information

Please include a cover letter and resume with your application.
Salary range is $100,000 - $135,000, commensurate with experience.
Applications due by July 15, 2026

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.