Executive Director for Research and Sponsored Programs

Primary Purpose
Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs the Executive Director for Research and Sponsored Programs is responsible for leading and managing the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs ( ORSP ). This role emphasizes proactively supporting faculty in identifying external funding opportunities providing feedback on drafts to create compelling proposals and successfully securing external funding. The Executive Director will cultivate a team that encourages and supports research scholarship and creative activities across the university and emphasizes student-centric learning opportunities.

Essential Functions
Serves as core member of the provosts administrative leadership team. Proactively identifies and shares information on external funding opportunities. Maintains comprehensive records of funding opportunities in a manner that is easily accessible timely and useful for faculty. Executes comprehensive communications plan to share remind and engage faculty with ORSP to pursue opportunities and celebrate successes. Oversees the development and implementation of essential research practices that support the diversity of research proposals. Along with team guides faculty through proposal development process ensuring alignment with funding agency guidelines and university priorities. Assists in editing proposals to ensure clarity precision and competitiveness. Assists in drafting proposals for institutional grants from the provosts office. Coordinates the preparation of budgets in accordance with university policies and funding agency requirements. Ensures reliable customer service streamlined operations and optimizes use of technologies. Designs and delivers workshops seminars and proactively conducts individual consultations to build faculty capacity in grant writing and proposal development. Maintains awareness of best practices emerging technologies/innovations and new potentials in research funding opportunities and strategic research development. Manages the undergraduate research faculty director to ensure targeted support of experiential learning for undergraduate students. Designee and signatory for official research grants/contracts and research compliance functions. Manages the Institutional Review Board ( IRB ) Material Transfer Agreements ( MTA ) and oversees the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee ( IACUC ) including operational management of the vivarium and research laboratories conducting animal research. Serves as ex-officio non-voting member of the university Faculty Research Committee ( FRC ). Performs other related duties as assigned. University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity equity and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision- making that demonstrates awareness of and responsiveness to the ways socio-cultural forces related to race gender ability sexuality socio-economic status etc. impede or propel students faculty and staff.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors Degree. Eight (8) years of relevant experience in research administration and financial management.

Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated knowledge of opportunities trends and issues of research and scholarship. This range of knowledge should include grant/contract/foundation funding mechanisms Indirect Cost ( IDC ) and Indirect Cost Recovery ( ICR ) models funding strategies for individuals and groups seeking extramural resources and identification of research initiatives for University-wide development. Understanding of the Federal grants and awards system and relevant federal regulatory agencies. Evidence of budget and fiscal experience and accountability Evidence of ability to work within complex organizations on their research initiatives involving individuals groups and across academic units. Evidence of some advanced or mid-level management experience in the higher education sector at private or public university post-secondary institutions or at a relevant provider of services preferably in a multiple-campus/site setting. Ability to develop and implement clear action-oriented innovative research strategies based on collaboration with academic units (faculty and academic leaders) technology and University leadership. Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice equity and inclusion in a university setting. Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Work Schedule
Work Environment/Work Week/Travel Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment. Work performed in person during standard business hours. Occasional travel for professional development and/or engagements on the Sacramento or San Francisco campus.