Post Central Manager, Research Administration

A humble college founded before Texas was a state, Baylor now stands as one of the premier institutions of higher education in the world. Baylor has continued to invest in research and doctoral education, both solidifying and elevating its unique status as a preeminent Christian research university. Baylor is among 187 R1 institutions, just 52 of which are private universities.

Since 2011, Baylor has been named as one of the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For”. Great Colleges to Work For® is one of the country’s largest and most respected workplace recognition programs. Each year, Great Colleges recognizes the colleges and universities that get top employee ratings regarding workplace practices and policies across 10 areas. This recognition is based on faculty and staff responses to a related annual survey. The survey, conducted by ModernThink, is a way for colleges and universities to gain a deeper understanding of how their employees experience and view various aspects of the institution. This continued recognition further affirms Baylor as a rewarding place to build a career.

What We Are Looking For

Baylor University is seeking a Post-Central Manager to provide active day-to-day management and operational accountability for Baylor's post-award research financial administration team. The Manager directly supervises the grant financial analysts, manages workload and performance, and ensures timely, accurate execution of core processes and quality controls. The Manager collaborates with the Team Lead on complex processes, technical guidance, workflow continuity, and escalation of operational issues.

This position is eligible for hybrid work.

A Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant work experience are required. A Master's degree and supervisory experience in a research administration position is preferred. A combination of education and experience will be considered in lieu of one another.

Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and/or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials are desirable additional qualifications but are not required.

All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

An experienced leader with strong knowledge of post-award financial administration and the ability to sustain and enhance efficient, effective operations. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Active staff supervision, development, performance management, and accountability
• Strong knowledge of post-award sponsored-research financial administration
• Sound judgment in operational approvals, risk identification, and escalation
• Ability to balance competing priorities, meet performance expectations, and take ownership of outcomes and issue resolution
• Commitment to standardized procedures, quality control, measurable service, and continuous improvement
• Clear communication and collaborative leadership across faculty, research administration, finance, and systems partners

What You Will Do

People Leadership and Performance Accountability

• Directly supervise the post-award grant financial analysts through regular one-on-one meetings, clear expectations, timely feedback, coaching, and documented follow-through

• Assign and rebalance portfolios and operational duties; monitor capacity, timeliness, quality, and completion against established service standards and key performance indicators

• Manage critical processes and develop staff through structured training, cross-training, mentoring, and progressively challenging assignments

Operational Management and Approval

• Manage the end-to-end IGNITE (Oracle Cloud PPM) invoicing process and expanded monthly close activities, ensuring timely completion, documentation, review, and resolution of exceptions

• Provide management review and approval for new awards and award modifications in CARA (Huron Research Suite) and IGNITE in accordance with delegated authority and established controls

• Manage and approve cost transfers and oversee deliverable tracking and completion, including timely escalation of overdue or unresolved items

• Monitor accounts receivable, advance accounts, project statuses, closeouts, and other portfolio risks; assign corrective action and verify completion

• Maintain a limited portfolio or other direct operational workload as assigned to preserve current process knowledge without displacing the Manager's primary supervisory responsibilities

Controls, Quality, and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain Post-Central standard operating procedures, control points, approval paths, documentation standards, and escalation requirements

• Perform and direct targeted quality-control reviews; identify recurring errors, determine root causes, assign remediation, and confirm that corrective actions are sustained

• Use operational metrics and exception reporting to evaluate timeliness, aging, accuracy, workload, and risk

• Support the business validation and adoption of AI-enabled quality-control tools for award setup, modifications, portfolio review, cost share, invoicing, closeout, and data-quality exceptions

• Contribute to discussions regarding system changes and integrations and communicate their operational and financial impacts to the Senior Director and Director of Research Administration Systems

Compliance and Service

• Ensure post-award activities comply with all applicable regulations, sponsor terms and conditions, and Baylor policies and procedures

• Maintain complete, accurate, and auditable sponsored-project records, including award documentation, approvals, reports, correspondence, and evidence of review

• Provide responsive and professional service to faculty, unit research administrators, OVPR colleagues, Baylor central offices, and sponsors

• Serve as an expert operational resource and participate in policy, procedure, training, and process-improvement initiatives affecting the post-award research enterprise

Other

• Perform all other duties as assigned to support Baylor’s mission

• Ability to comply with university policies

• Maintain regular and punctual attendance

What You Can Expect

As part of the Baylor family, eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off, tuition remission, and outstanding automatic retirement contributions. Baylor has a comprehensive benefits plan that supports you and your family’s wellbeing and allows you to be a part of the life of a vibrant and active college campus. To learn more, go to Baylor Benefits & Advantages.

Explore & Engage

Learn more about Baylor and our strategic vision, Baylor in Deeds. Also, explore our great hometown of Waco and the many opportunities to engage locally. If you are new to Central Texas, This is Waco!