Contract and Grant Specialist at Lehigh University – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Lehigh University

Lehigh University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Lehigh University provides comprehensive benefits including partner benefits.

Lehigh University is seeking a Contract and Grant Specialist to join the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. This role provides essential administrative and financial oversight for the University’s research enterprise, ensuring that sponsored projects are executed in strict alignment with institutional policies and sponsor mandates.

The Specialist serves as a primary liaison between faculty researchers, administrative offices, and external funding agencies. You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of the grant lifecycle. From coordinating complex multi-institutional proposal submissions and negotiating contract terms to monitoring financial compliance and conducting project closeouts.

Position Number: S85570

This position is a Grade: 9 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $55,200-$67,180 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Key Accountabilities:

Proposal Development and Submission

• Directs the preparation of comprehensive budgets and justifications for single and multi-institutional proposals, ensuring alignment with sponsor guidelines and university policies.

• Manages the end-to-end submission process, including the coordination of subcontractor documentation and acting as an authorized institutional signatory for proposals up to $500,000.

Award Negotiation and Acceptance

• Serves as the primary liaison with external sponsors and partners to negotiate final terms, conditions, and legally binding subcontract agreements.

• Counsels faculty and collaborating organizations on the interpretation of funded project regulations and the implementation of cost-sharing commitments.

Financial Oversight and Compliance

• Authorizes the establishment of new project accounts and monitors financial activity from inception through closeout to ensure the allowable use of research funds.

• Analyzes budgetary needs to resolve fund deficits and provides critical documentation for internal and external audits or research misconduct inquiries.

Strategic Liaison and Regulatory Leadership

• Monitors and evaluates changes in government mandates and university regulations, disseminating impact analyses to the broader research community.

• Interfaces with federal/state sponsors, industry partners, and internal offices like Technology Transfer to address intellectual property, confidentiality, and emerging research administration trends.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business or related field
• One to three years of related work experience
• Highly developed oral and written communications skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations relating to contract or grant agreements
• Experience in monitoring contract or grant budgets
• Experience managing and maintaining software packages
• Strong working knowledge of both Windows and MAC platforms

Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university’s mission. Lehigh University offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.
• The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.
• This position has fiscal or financial responsibilities other than employee expense activity, such as processing or approving transactions; monitoring or preparing budgets; or generating income for University; therefore, a credit check is required.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.