Grant Administrator IV; Adam Smith Center Academic Freedom

About FIU

Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars and Mac Arthur Genius Fellows.

A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.

The Grant Administrator IV oversees the pre‑award and post‑award administration of large, complex federal grants and contracts for an assigned research unit. This position provides senior‑level fiscal, administrative, and compliance support for a multi‑year U.S. Department of Education funded program supporting statewide professional learning in American History and Civics. The incumbent exercises independent judgment in interpreting sponsor regulations, developing and monitoring budgets, evaluating expenditures, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and University policies.

The Grant Administrator IV serves as a liaison between the Principal Investigator, the Division of Research, and other University administrative offices to ensure timely and accurate execution of grant‑funded activities. Prepares quarterly reports for funding authorities after consultations with all relevant stakeholders.

• Oversees pre‑award and post‑award administration of large and complex grants and contracts for the assigned department or research area. Develops grant budgets and provides guidance to faculty and administrators on fiscal, administrative, and compliance matters related to sponsored programs. Serves as a liaison among the Principal Investigator, the Co‑Principal Investigator, the Division of Research, and central administrative offices to facilitate effective grant management.
• Monitors, reconciles, and forecasts grant expenditures; prepares financial reports and analyses to support program planning and decision‑making. Evaluates expenditure documents for allowability, allocability, and appropriateness in accordance with federal, state, sponsor, and University guidelines. Coordinates procurement and contracting activities related to grant‑funded programs, including consultants, speakers, external evaluators, and service providers.
• Oversees participant support costs, including stipends and travel‑related expenditures associated with professional learning seminars, virtual activities, and program‑related travel. Assists with effort reporting certification to ensure salary and effort charged to the project are accurate and compliant. Assists in the planning, directing, and reporting of grant‑funded program activities to ensure alignment with approved scopes of work, timelines, and performance measures.
• Prepares quarterly reports for funding authorities after consultations with all relevant stakeholders. Develops and implements internal operating procedures related to grant administration within the assigned research area. Interprets and applies University, sponsor, and regulatory policies and procedures; recommends changes as necessary to improve compliance and operational efficiency.
• Leads and/or supervises support personnel as required and provides guidance on grant administration processes. Maintains complete, accurate, and audit‑ready grant records and supports sponsor reporting, reviews, and audits.

• Bachelor’s degree and six (6) years of grant or contract administration experience OR Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and six (6) years of grant or contract administration experience OR equivalent combination of education and ten (10) years of grant or contract…