Grants and Contract Administrator

Company: UL Research Institutes
Location: Evanston
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description At UL Research Institutes, we know why we come to work. We have an exciting opportunity for a Grants and Contracts Administrator at UL Research Institutes, based in our Evanston, Illinois, office. The Grants and Contract Administrator manage grants and contracts for UL Research Institutes (ULRI). The Grants and Contract Administrator play a leading role in the entire grants and contracts lifecycle, from proposal development, project submission to post-award management and project close-out. This role ensures compliance with funding agencies' regulations, ULRI policies and procedures, and facilitating effective communication between research teams, sponsors, and stakeholders. UL Research Institutes: At UL Research Institutes (ULRI), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge. Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our teams who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice. What you’ll learn and achieve: As the Grants and Contracts Administrator, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you: Coordinate the preparation and submission of grant and contract proposals and maintain an organized database of grants and contracts for tracking and reporting purposes. Review funding opportunities to identify eligibility criteria, important terms and conditions. Ensure compliance with ULRI and sponsor requirements by monitoring reporting deadlines and assisting in resolving any issues that arise Develop grant and contract budgets, track expenses, ensure financial compliance, monitor cost-sharing, and assist with sponsor financial reports. Guide the negotiation and execution of sub-awards and perform subrecipient monitoring. Draft amendments for no cost extensions and budget revisions using templates. Serve as a primary point of contact for sponsors and researcher staff. Facilitate communication between research teams and funding agencies. Collaborate with research staff to ensure project goals are met. Provide guidance to research staff on grant and contract policies and procedures. Identify potential risks and suggest risk mitigation strategies, addressing issues related to grant and contract administration promptly. Perform other duties as assigned. What you’ll experience working at UL Research Institutes: For the organizations across the UL enterprise, corporate and social responsibility isn’t new. We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do. People : Our people make us special. You’ll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today’s global challenges require. Interesting work : Every day is different for us here. We see what’s on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You’ll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good. Grow and achieve : We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs. Values . Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive. Total Rewards : All employees at UL Research Institutes are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager. We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days. What makes you a great fit: While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes: Ability to interpret and apply federal and state sponsor regulations and private sponsor rules. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in grant management software and Microsoft Office Suite. Detail-oriented with strong organizational and analytical skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Knowledge of financial management and budgeting principles in the Uniform Guidance. Professional education and experience requirements for the role include: Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, public administration, or a relevant field. Minimum of 4 years of experience in grants and contract administration. Experience with federal government contracts preferred. About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are 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 affiliate, UL Solutions, stands alongside us in working for a safer and more sustainable world. UL Solutions 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. Learn more about us and the offered benefits, visit our websites at UL.org and ULSE.org. Salary Range: $61,199.38-$84,149.14 Pay Type: Salary

Keywords: UL Research Institutes, Chicago , Grants and Contract Administrator, Science, Research & Development , Evanston, Illinois