The Frederick S. Pardee Institute for International Futures is home to International Futures (IFs), the only open-source integrated assessment platform and forecasting tool that uses a hybrid approach of systems dynamics, econometrics, and other quantitative techniques to analyze and forecast hundreds of interconnected, macro-level variables across human, social, and natural systems through the end of this century and beyond. With IFs and other bespoke data tools, we use our academic research to inform policy debates and action about long-term patterns of interaction in global trends.

Our work supports a global community, comprising IGOs, INGOs, governments, practitioners, and more, that tackles today’s most consequential issues—from climate change and conflict to development and security. We share a deep camaraderie in caring about the global future with those we serve. Through our data, tools, and analysis, we aim to leverage the platforms and influence of our collaborators and partners who are addressing these challenges.

The Institute maintains 17 full-time, benefits-eligible staff members, employs approximately 100 students annually, and conducts an average of $1.6 million in sponsored research each year. It is situated within the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, a world-class academic setting focused on training the next generation of global leaders to address the challenging questions of our time. The Institute's work is deeply rooted in this rich academic culture, engaging with other research centers, faculty, staff, and students in the pursuit of improved decision-making for sustainable development and security.

The Pardee Institute is committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and staff who, in turn, are committed to working in a pluralistic environment.

Position Summary

Looking for flexibility and growth? The University of Denver offers hybrid-remote work schedules and generous tuition waiver benefits. Advance your education while building your career. Candidates with research administration, financial management, or office management experience are encouraged to apply. Join us and explore your future at DU!

This opening is for a Grants and Business Manager. This position reports to the Pardee Institute Director and Director of Operations.

The Grants and Business Manager is a pivotal member of the Pardee Institute team, blending high-level research administration with hands-on business operations. This dynamic role oversees the full lifecycle of award management—from proposal development to post-award compliance—while also supporting financial tracking, HR functions, communications, events, and office operations.

This role offers a unique opportunity to gain end-to-end experience in business administration in research while shaping practices that drive organizational success. This is a soft-money-funded position, contingent on ongoing external funding and strong performance.

Essential Functions

Research Administration (50%)

• Proposal submissions. Review guidelines, prepare checklists, coordinate materials, develop project budgets; ensure timely submission accuracy, manage internal records and external submission portals, and respond to sponsor inquiries.
• Contract negotiations. Review contracts for risks, delays, and key provisions, flagging issues for Pardee and DU to drive favorable outcomes during contract negotiations.
• Post-award administration. Reconcile expenditures, track receivables, support compliance and reporting; manage subawards; and assist with closeout.
• Prospecting and lead management. Research and share funding opportunities; develop potential partnerships; track and report on active and developing business development leads.
• Communications. Act as the main contact for communications related to these responsibilities.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Financial Management (15%)

• Budget tracking. Pull actuals and compare against projections monthly; flag activity for reconciliation and review; reconcile activity, as appropriate.
• Tools and practices. Support the development of budgeting and reporting tools to ensure accurate and effective financial management.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Business Operations (35%)

• HR Operations. Support recruitment, onboarding, transitions, and separations in partnership with DU offices; support performance management processes.
• Institute communications. Oversee Institute communication channels, including its newsletters, social media accounts, website, and Annual Review. Supervise the communications team and build capacity in relevant tools. Lead related strategic initiatives, update content, and manage assignments using project management tools.
• Other business operations. Manage payroll and payment operations; lead event logistics; maintain Pardee’s inventory of equipment, office supplies, and keys; represent Pardee and liaise with other business-related DU departments, offices, and communities. Support international visa-related activities. Supervise one or more administrative support employees. Create and manage special projects, as needed.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Well-developed interpersonal communication skills to build effective relationships with research staff, student employees, and colleagues across campus.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, plan work within the larger context of known goals, make thoughtful decisions based on established policies and procedures, justify decisions, and work independently.
• Ability to independently check, interrogate, and verify work.
• Ability to make appropriate decisions independently and escalate risks to supervisors and/or the Institute’s broader leadership when necessary.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality when handling sensitive information and matters and navigating complicated situations.
• Ability to apply knowledge of sponsored projects, grants, gift, and endowment accounting.
• Ability to apply knowledge of financial management practices specific to higher education.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Two or more years of experience with research administration and/or budget forecasting and development, financial management, accounting oversight, and business administration.
• Previous experience reviewing contracts or legal documents.
• Demonstrated experience independently using MS Excel advanced features and functionality, including, but not limited to, conditional formatting; conditional summing, counting, and related functions; lookup functions; and pivot tables.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in research administration and/or budget forecasting and development, financial management, accounting oversight, business administration, reviewing legal documents, and/or using advanced applications of Excel for financial management.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

In accordance with the University’s flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team-specific needs.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 28, 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is 10.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $64,000 - $74,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.