Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Grants and Contracts Administrator at UL Research Institutes based in our Evanston, IL office.

The Senior Grants and Contracts Administrator plays a leading role in all aspects of grants and contract management within Underwriters Laboratories Research Institutes (ULRI). The Senior Grants and Contracts Administrator with a high degree of skill identifies potential funding opportunities, manages awarded grants and contracts, monitors grants awarded by ULRI and ensures compliance with all sponsor and regulatory requirements. The Senior Grants and Contracts Administrator works closely with researchers, program managers, finance staff, ULRI grantees, and external funding agencies to facilitate the successful execution of research projects.

As the Senior Grants and Contracts Administrator you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Prepare and submit grant proposals, including budgets, narratives, and supporting documentation. Collaborate with research staff to develop compelling grant applications.
• Identify potential funding opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and other sources.
• Develop complex proposal budgets and administer complex awards.
• Ensure compliance with all grant and contract requirements, including reporting deadlines and regulatory obligations. Prepare and submit regular reports to funding agencies, as required by award terms.
• Accountable for accurate records and documentation related to grants and contracts being maintained in grants management systems.
• Review and negotiate terms and conditions of grant and contract agreements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including researchers and finance staff, to facilitate effective grant and contract management.
• Foster positive relationships with external funding agencies, donors, and partners.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with grants and contracts, including compliance, financial, and operational risks. Develop and implement strategies to address potential challenges.
• Stay current on industry trends, regulations, and best practices related to grants and contracts. Continuously improve internal processes and procedures related to grant and contract management.
• Monitor grants awarded by ULRI, including project deliverables, timelines, and expenditures.
• Provide training to research staff on grant and contract policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:

• Strong knowledge of grant and contract regulations, compliance requirements, and financial management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in grant management software and financial tracking systems.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proactive problem-solving skills and ability to provide recommendations and/or make decisions.
• Attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines.

Experience and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, or nonprofit management or a relevant field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in grants and contract management, preferably within a nonprofit research organization or a similar setting.

• Mission: For UL, corporate and social responsibility isn’t new. Making the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place has been our business model for the last 128 years and is deeply ingrained in everything we do.
• People: Ask any UL employee what they love most about working here, and you’ll almost always hear, “the people.” Going beyond what is possible is the standard at UL. We’re able to deliver the best because we employ the best.
• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here as we eagerly anticipate the next innovation that our customers’ create. We’re inspired to take on the challenge that will transform how people live, work and play. And as a global company, in many roles, you will get international experience working with colleagues around the world.
• Grow & achieve: We learn, work and grow together with targeted development, reward and recognition programs as well as our very own UL University that offers extensive training programs for employees at all stages, including a technical training track for applicable roles.
• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagementare eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans. a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Additionally, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you can work with your manager on flexible working arrangements. We also provide employees with paid time off including vacation, holiday, sick and volunteer time off.

About UL Research Institutes

UL Research Institutes is a nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

Our wholly owned subsidiary, UL Solutions, advances our shared public safety mission. We fund our work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of UL Solutions, which conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools for customers around the world.

To learn more, visit UL.org