Grants and Contracts Specialist Jobs
Grants and Contracts Specialist jobs are open across higher education, federal agencies, nonprofits, and healthcare, from entry-level coordinator roles to senior compliance and portfolio management positions, with specializations in federal grants administration, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.
The Department of Radiological Sciences is dedicated to conducting leading-edge research, providing the highest quality clinical education and delivering state-of-the-art care to our patients through the advanced diagnosis and treatment of disease through biomedical research. Our department scientists and physicians are constantly working to develop new technologies and imaging techniques that will become the medical imaging examinations and medical interventions of tomorrow.
Responsibilities:
- Working knowledge of finance policies, practices, and systems.
- Ability to gather reasonably retrievable information to organize and perform complex/detailed financial analysis assignments.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively present information verbally and in writing clearly and concisely.
- Demonstrated ability using spreadsheet and database software for moderately complex financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reports.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills at all levels within the unit; excellent service orientation and critical thinking skills; and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability using organizational skills to multi-task in a high-volume environment.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Ability to function as a member of a team.
- Intermediate knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.
- Working knowledge of UCI Kuali Financial Systems, Decision Support desired and University Policies & Procedures
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively on complex projects in a team environment with interdepartmental personnel at a variety of professional and technical levels.
- Strong critical thinking and attention to detail
- Detail oriented, with strong ability to effectively manage time.
- Skills to effectively address complex, urgent issues as they arise.
- Ability to manage significant volume of transactions.
- Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting or related area and/or equivalent experience/training/education.
- 3-5 years of relevant experience in finance, accounting, and administration or equivalent combination of experience and education.
Preferred:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite products, key skills in Excel (VLOOKUPs and pivot tables)/applicable software program(s) proficiency.
Total Rewards
Conditions of Employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct*
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Closing Statement:
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.
The Department of Radiological Sciences is dedicated to conducting leading-edge research, providing the highest quality clinical education and delivering state-of-the-art care to our patients through the advanced diagnosis and treatment of disease through biomedical research. Our department scientists and physicians are constantly working to develop new technologies and imaging techniques that will become the medical imaging examinations and medical interventions of tomorrow.
Responsibilities:
- Working knowledge of finance policies, practices, and systems.
- Ability to gather reasonably retrievable information to organize and perform complex/detailed financial analysis assignments.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively present information verbally and in writing clearly and concisely.
- Demonstrated ability using spreadsheet and database software for moderately complex financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reports.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills at all levels within the unit; excellent service orientation and critical thinking skills; and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability using organizational skills to multi-task in a high-volume environment.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Ability to function as a member of a team.
- Intermediate knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.
- Working knowledge of UCI Kuali Financial Systems, Decision Support desired and University Policies & Procedures
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively on complex projects in a team environment with interdepartmental personnel at a variety of professional and technical levels.
- Strong critical thinking and attention to detail
- Detail oriented, with strong ability to effectively manage time.
- Skills to effectively address complex, urgent issues as they arise.
- Ability to manage significant volume of transactions.
- Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting or related area and/or equivalent experience/training/education.
- 3-5 years of relevant experience in finance, accounting, and administration or equivalent combination of experience and education.
Preferred:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite products, key skills in Excel (VLOOKUPs and pivot tables)/applicable software program(s) proficiency.
Total Rewards
Conditions of Employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct*
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Closing Statement:
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
Grants and Contracts Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsGrants and Contracts Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Johns Hopkins University10
- UC Irvine Health2
- The Salvation Army2
- University Of Washington2
- COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES2
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in grants and contracts specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience with federal grant regulations including 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Guidance
- Proficiency with grants management systems such as Grants.gov, eRA Commons, or similar platforms
- Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and cost-reimbursable contract administration
- Experience preparing and reviewing budgets, financial reports, and closeout documentation
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) credential preferred
Tips for Your Grants and Contracts Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to funding mechanisms
Hiring managers distinguish between grants specialists and contracts specialists, so your resume should call out the specific funding types you've managed, whether federal grants, cooperative agreements, cost-reimbursable contracts, or fixed-price awards. Generic 'grants and contracts' phrasing gets filtered out.
Highlight your compliance and audit experience
Employers want to see that you've navigated Uniform Guidance, FAR clauses, or agency-specific regulations and survived a monitoring visit or audit. Name the oversight frameworks you've worked under and the outcomes, not just the duties you performed.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists grants and contracts specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Search by agency type, not just title
Job titles vary widely: some employers post 'grants administrator,' others post 'sponsored programs officer' or 'contract analyst.' Search by the type of organization you want to work for and read the duties rather than relying on title alone to find the right fit.
Prepare scenario answers about award lifecycle
Interviewers ask you to walk through a grant or contract from pre-award setup through closeout. Practice a specific example that covers budget negotiation, reporting requirements, a complication you resolved, and how you documented the final disposition.
Negotiate by citing scope and portfolio size
When negotiating an offer, anchor your case to the dollar volume and number of awards you've managed, the regulatory complexity involved, and any cost recoveries or audit findings you prevented. These are measurable contributions hiring managers in this field recognize.
Grants and Contracts Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most grants and contracts specialists?
The companies hiring the most grants and contracts specialists right now include Johns Hopkins University, UC Irvine Health, and The Salvation Army, with the largest share of openings in Maryland, California, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Research universities, federally funded research centers, and large nonprofits consistently account for a significant portion of active postings.
How many grants and contracts specialist jobs are remote?
About 69% of grants and contracts specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting ongoing flexibility in administrative and compliance-focused roles. Post-award administration, financial reporting, and closeout work tend to be the most remote-compatible sub-areas, while pre-award roles that require close coordination with principal investigators are more often on-site or hybrid.
How do you become a grants and contracts specialist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in business, public administration, finance, or a related field, then gain hands-on experience through entry-level roles in sponsored programs, procurement, or financial administration at a university, nonprofit, or government contractor. Learning the Uniform Guidance framework and familiarizing yourself with federal award systems accelerates hiring. Pursuing a Certified Research Administrator credential strengthens your candidacy for mid-level and senior roles.
Can you get hired as a grants and contracts specialist without direct experience?
Yes, employers do hire candidates without direct experience, particularly at the coordinator or assistant level, when they bring related skills in financial administration, regulatory compliance, or government contracting. Demonstrating familiarity with federal award requirements, showing attention to detail in past roles, and completing relevant coursework or a CRA exam preparation program can offset the experience gap meaningfully.
What does the grants and contracts specialist interview process look like?
Most employers run two to three rounds beginning with a phone or video screen focused on your background with specific funding types and regulatory frameworks. A second interview typically includes a panel from sponsored programs, finance, and sometimes legal, with scenario-based questions about award lifecycle situations. Some employers add a written exercise asking you to review a sample budget or identify compliance issues in a mock agreement.
Where can I find and apply to grants and contracts specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to grants and contracts specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your experience and the funding types you work with, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 46 Grants and Contracts Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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