Kristen Bridges

• Lead, direct and manage an office of over 20 sponsored programs professionals who are responsible for proposal review, approval and submission, award negotiation, and some post award activities such as prior approvals and subrecipient agreements and monitoring.
• Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) and delegated university signatory for proposals, awards and subawards.
• Mentored and developed staff through training programs, performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities, enhancing team expertise and morale.
• Collaborated with senior leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives that advanced the institution's research agenda and funding portfolio.
• Led the overhaul of pre-award and non-financial post-award processes, reducing turnaround times and improving overall efficiency through the adoption of best practices and innovative solutions.
• Authored comprehensive policy and procedure manuals, ensuring clarity, consistency, and compliance across all sponsored program activities.
• Implemented an electronic research administration system, streamlining proposal submission, award management, and reporting processes.
• Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the Office of Sponsored Programs, leading to a more inclusive workplace culture and increased representation of underrepresented groups.
• Serve as a primary liaison between the Office of Sponsored Programs and internal departments, facilitating effective communication and collaboration to support institutional research goals.
• Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff to share innovative ideas and providing resources for professional development.
• Represent the institution at external meetings, conferences, and forums related to sponsored programs, enhancing the institution's visibility and fostering relationships with funding agencies and industry partners.
• Advise and support faculty and researchers on proposal development, compliance, and funding strategies, ensuring successful grant applications and award management.

• Drafted over 500 outgoing subawards agreements annually under externally funded sponsored programs using the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) template and other internal contract templates, ensuring compliance with federal agency and sponsor guidelines.
• Monitored existing subcontracts to ensure adherence to federal regulations and specific contract clause provisions.
• Served as expert instructor in campus-related trainings on subcontracting, sharing knowledge and best practices.
• Possessed expertise in vendor-subcontractor determination and managed small business
• Filed FFATA reports accurately and on time, maintaining compliance with reporting requirements.
• Developed and performed detailed risk assessments in accordance with Uniform Guidance standards.
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing intellectual property data assertions and intellectual property rights within the scope of subcontracts.
• Led a small team of administrators responsible for issuing outgoing subcontracts and professional services agreements.
• Drafted and implemented internal processes and procedures for subaward issuance and administration, streamlining operations and ensuring consistent compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Delegated Signatory for subaward documents.

Reviewed and submitted over 1,500 proposals annually to federal and industry sponsors, ensuring adherence to sponsor guidelines, institutional policies, and compliance requirements.

• Collaborated with principal investigators and research teams to develop competitive grant proposals, providing expert advice on proposal structure, budget formulation, and submission strategies.
• Utilized electronic research administration systems (e.g., Grants.gov, Research.gov, FastLane) to prepare and submit high-quality proposals, improving submission accuracy and timeliness.
• Coordinated and prepared Just-In-Time (JIT) responses for federal sponsors, including NIH, NSF, and Department of Defense ensuring timely submission of required information such as other support documents, IRB approvals, and budget adjustments.
• Worked closely with principal investigators and compliance offices to gather necessary documentation and address any sponsor queries or requests promptly.
• Maintained comprehensive records of JIT submissions and communications, ensuring all sponsor requirements were met to facilitate award issuance.
• Managed the submission of RPPRs for NIH awards, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and timelines.
• Assisted principal investigators in compiling scientific and technical progress reports, financial statements, and other required documentation for interim and final reports.
• Reviewed and submitted continuation proposals and non-competing renewal applications, ensuring the continuation of funding and project advancement.
• Ensured all pre-award activities complied with federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, and institutional policies, minimizing the risk of non-compliance and audit findings.
• Provided training and support to faculty and staff on proposal preparation, compliance issues, and sponsor requirements, enhancing institutional knowledge and compliance.
• Conducted thorough reviews of proposal budgets to ensure alignment with sponsor guidelines, institutional policies, and project needs.
• Handled sensitive information discreetly, maintaining strict confidentiality at all times as required by company policy or legal regulations.
• Collaborated with various internal departments, including finance, compliance, and legal, to ensure comprehensive support for proposal development and submission.
• Developed and maintained strong relationships with federal and industry sponsors, enhancing the institution's reputation and increasing funding opportunities.
• Serve as Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).

Oversaw the closeout process of sponsored grants and contracts, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
Reconciled complex grant and contract accounts, identifying discrepancies, and implementing corrective actions to ensure accurate final financial reporting.
Prepared and submitted final financial reports, and required documentation to sponsors, adhering to strict deadlines.
Collaborated with Principal Investigators (PIs) and department administrators to resolve outstanding financial issues and ensure proper allocation of project expenses.
Monitored and enforced compliance with grant terms and conditions, including cost-sharing commitments and effort reporting requirements.
Provided training and guidance to junior accountants and department staff on grant management and closeout best practices.