Senior Fund Manager

RSCH ADM 3 RP (005264)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_1000585

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

10/15/2026 6:27:03 PM

Date Last Edited:

10/16/2026 4:03:53 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

10/16/2026

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1300O

Organization:

LETTERS AND SCIENCE                    

Division Code:

1330D

Division:

L&S LIFE SCIENCES                      

Department:

083000 - ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_1000585

Position Description ID

265845

UC Payroll Title:

RSCH ADM 3 RP (005264)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

RP: Research and Public Service PR

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40049881

Reports to Payroll Title:

FINANCIAL SVC SUPV 2

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40057720

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEPARTMENT CHAIR

DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent establishes procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives in a broad area of work. Only the final results of work done are typically reviewed. Incumbent typically develops procedures within the limits of established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for over $7 million in operating and extramural funds for Life Science's Biology Group, consisting of the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department and the Stunt Ranch: Applies theory and puts it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; Independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; Possesses broad job knowledge; Analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions; Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently develop and / or oversee research proposals, awards and/or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research sponsor policies; Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official; Works on complex proposals such as grants / contracts which require task budgets, option years, multiple investigators and multiple sub awards; Incumbent provides analytical and financial support in proposal processing, contract and grant administration, and budget development, including pre-award proposal initiatives, management of funds post-award, and closeout activities for federal, state, local and private sponsors; Involves activities associated with forecasting, planning, and managing of research portfolios by performing some or all of the following: coordinating and identifying and developing and/or presenting proposals, contracts and other agreements; Serve as a resource to informally train and provide general guidance to 2 junior fund managers on the team in reviewing proposals to ensure institutional compliance; negotiating, administering and monitoring contract and grant awards, including compliance with regulations, terms and conditions; financial management and reporting; and sub award/subcontract issuance and administration.

The Biology Group is comprised of three units: An academic & research unit, The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB); an ecological reserve, The Stunt Ranch (Stunt); and the Computational & Systems Biology interdisciplinary program. Combined, EEB, Stunt & CaSB employ close to 250 people: Approximately 60 ladder rank faculty, 26 lecturers, 18 postdoctoral scholars, 80 graduate students, 21 career staff, 23 non-career staff and 21 emeriti faculty members.

A. Extramural

Funds

Management

A1. Manages over $7 million in extramural funds for the Life Science's Biology Group,

comprised of: The Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department (EEB) and the Stunt

Ranch. (E)

A2. Analyzes extramural award synopses. Interprets terms and conditions of

agreements. Advises faculty on allowability and feasibility of expenditures. (E)

A3. Communicates with EFM and General Accounting to establish new operating and

grant accounts. Verifies correct account creation. (E)

A4. Serve as a subject matter expert to Research Administrator 2 (RA2) staff

members regarding:

- Generation of University forms required in the administration of contracts and grants

including "Request to Spend Funds," "Federal Demonstration Project Request Forms,"

and others, in keeping with University and agency guidelines and with the full intent

of the project.

- Purchase orders and reimbursements, based on allowability and availability of funds

& generation of orders in the purchasing system.

- Reconciliation of expenses charged to University ledgers. Initiate corrections and

adjustments to ledgers using forms and online tools.

- Generation of monthly financial reports, including year-to-date expenses and

projections, from multiple data sources and information provided by staff and related

faculty.

- Closing out contract and grant accounts on a timely basis. Communicating

requirements to Investigators, Extramural Fund Management, and other parties. (E)

A5. Manages and resolves open commitments. (E)

A6. Analyzes fund spending patterns, product availability and vendor pricing.

Negotiates with vendors to obtain best pricing and delivery on goods and services. (E)

A7. Informs principle investigators, management and others of account financial

status. Answers questions from investigators and others about allocations,

expenditures and projections. (E)

A8. Advises faculty on correspondence to Program Directors requesting re-budgeting,

no-cost time extension, supplement status inquiries, and other matters. Drafts

correspondence. (E)

A9. Designs and initiates spreadsheet and database tools for financial and

administrative purposes. Generates reports using spreadsheet and database tools. (E)

A10. Analyze payroll expenses and commitments using UC Path, payroll ledgers, and

other sources of data. Report on analysis and make recommendations for expenditure

strategy. Process salary cost transfers when needed.

A11. Assist PIs with certifying Effort Reports

A12. Reconcile PIs travel and expense reports. Reconcile monthly P card expenses.

A13. Follow up with rejected travel and entertainment expense reports, responding to

Travel Accounting regarding discrepancies and/or unallowable expenses in a prompt

and timely manner. (E)

A14. Generate reports as needed detailing purchasing

activities using data available on ledgers and OFS.

50%

B. Operating

Funds

B1. Working with Director of Financial Services & CAO, manages departmental

operational accounts including but not limited to Dean’s office commitments, faculty

retention and recruitment funds, graduate student support funds and donor funds. (E)

B2. Determines and recommends solutions to the Financial Manager, CAO and the

Chair regarding potential deficits, surpluses, and future commitments. (E)

B3. Reviews and approves requests by faculty and staff to spend operating funds,

including purchase request, and travel and supply reimbursements. (E)

B4. Prepares monthly and quarterly financial reports. (E)

B5. Analyzes significant variances in operating budgets. (E)

B6. Acts as liaison with financial officers in the College of Letters and Science and

other campus units regarding budgetary matters, staff personnel/payroll funding,

fiscal closing and other functions as appropriate. (E)

25%

C. Contract &

Grant Proposals

C1. Serve as a resource to RA2s and faculty on funding agency policies, guidelines,

proposal format, and budgetary details. (E)

Preparation C2. Calculates project budgets using spreadsheet software and relevant information.

Adhere to University and granting agency guidelines. (E) C4. Advises faculty on policy

compliance regarding human subjects use, animal use, recombinant DNA research,

radioactive materials, and campus computing facilities. Advise on completion of

forms, or directly complete forms. (E)

C3. Analyzes grant proposals to ensure adherence to correct format. Advise faculty of

necessary corrections. Advise on changes or additions to strengthen the proposal. (E)

C5. Serves as a resource for RA2s when assembling all elements of the proposal:

Direct copies to be made, or copy materials; Submit proposals in either paper form or

electronically. (E)

C6. Communicates with relevant staff to assure expedited submission of proposals.

Responds to queries. (E)

25%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

In related area and /or equivalent experience / training

Required

1. Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal

sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.

Required

2. Knowledgeable about Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific

policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights,

application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration.

Required

3. Requires thorough knowledge in OMB circulars such as Universal Guidance, A- 21, A110 and

principles of cost accounting standards, including allowability, allocability, and reasonableness,

state, local, sponsor and institutional regulations, policies, and guidelines.

Required

4. Experienced with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts,

cooperative agreements.

Required

5. Proficiency in utilizing reports, queries, and pivot tables or similar experience using other

financial reporting tools.

Required

6. Effective problem-solving skills and ability to utilize innovative strategies to identify and

recommend solutions.

Required

7. Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.

Required

8. Knowledge of payroll and personnel regulations including impact of salary scales, merits, range

adjustments. Knowledge of employee benefit regulations, leave accruals, summer salary policies,

and a range of flexible salary options to meet appropriate fund source uses

Preferred

9. Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.

Required

10. Willingness and demonstrated ability to embrace and consistently uphold the principles of

community for a collaborative work environment.

Required

11. Ability to interpret and apply university policies and procedures regarding purchasing, return

goods, travel, disbursements, inventory, and audits.

Required

12. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with overlapping deadlines and short lead times and

maintain a high level of attention to detail, and ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and

follow-through.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Hershey Hall

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.