About Urban Institute

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity

The Urban Institute’s Grants and Contracts Department (GCD) is seeking a highly skilled Senior Subcontracts Administrator to join our subaward team. The principal duties of GCD include providing compliance support over the entire award life cycle - from proposal review, to negotiating contracts, grants and subcontracts, to award closeout - through awards from federal, state, and local governments, as well as private foundations, corporations, and other private funding.

We issue a range of instrument types to third parties under these funding streams and provide comprehensive management and oversight to mitigate risk, ensure compliance with Urban policies and procedures and funder requirements, and support best practices in award management.

We welcome applicants seeking an in-person, remote or hybrid work environment.

What You Will Do

• Review funder requirements to determine applicable flow-downs; draft, negotiate, and execute subagreements of diverse instrument types issued to non-profit organizations, universities, commercial businesses, and state and local governments.


• Provide guidance and interpret terms and conditions of executed subagreements.


• Perform due diligence reviews of potential subawardees; review supporting documentation for subagreement requests for contractual, budgetary, organizational and compliance issues; maintain auditable files.


• Review RFPs/RFAs; advise Urban project teams on best practices for large regranting programs with a significant subaward component; troubleshoot contractual or business-related implementation challenges; provide recommendations to successfully mitigate risk and resolve issues.


• Work in Salesforce to manage subagreement requests from project teams and assist other internal stakeholders in navigating the subagreement process; assist with development and management of performance metrics for subaward office.


• Assume independent responsibility for assigned subagreements, to include maintaining significant warrant/delegation of authority to fully execute and contractually bind Urban.


• Assist subaward director in developing templates, guidance documents, job aides and other training materials, and additional compliance tools. Represent the subaward office at management-level meetings, and contribute to interdepartmental policy, procedures and process improvement initiatives.

What You Will Need

• A bachelor’s degree, with 5+ years progressive experience in grants/contracts management and administration, and/or subcontracting/procurement; or an illustrated equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Demonstrated experience working with relevant regulations, terms, conditions and policies that govern subagreements to include knowledge of 2 CFR Part 200 and the FAR; experience with foundation funding a plus.


• Working knowledge of common award instruments, including cost reimbursement, fixed amount, fixed price, and time and materials.


• Proven negotiation skills, including the ability to make independent decisions and apply creative problem solving.


• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the skills to represent GCD to both internal and external stakeholders; maintain organizational confidentiality.


• Attention to detail; strong organizational, analytic and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to effectively manage changing priorities and multi-task.


• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with a diverse group of internal and external partners.


• Strong skills with MS Office - particularly Excel and Word, and Adobe Acrobat Pro; experience with JAMISPrime and Salesforce a plus.

What You Will Experience

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

The target salary range for this position is $90,750 - $113,400. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal equity. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package.

Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits.

Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This position has the opportunity to be fully remote.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at urbancareers@urban.org. 

Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.