Research Administration Director

The Research Administration Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the universitys grants contracts and sponsored programs administration. The Director ensures the effective management of the full lifecycle of externally funded research and other sponsored activities including proposal development submission award negotiation compliance and post-award administrative coordination. This position oversees research administration staff and works closely with faculty investigators university leadership and administrative units to support the growth integrity and compliance of the institutions research enterprise. The Director ensures adherence to federal state sponsor and institutional regulations while implementing efficient processes and best practices for sponsored program administration.

Duties:

• Ensures universitys compliance with state law sponsor and university policies and procedures.
• Supervises and evaluates staff responsible for the management of grants and contracts; sponsored and non-sponsored.
• Develops and implements departmental procedures for grant and contract review and processing in accordance with state law and sponsor and university regulations.
• Plans forecasts and sets departmental objectives for the management of grants and both non-research and research related contracts.
• Assists other management with the development of procedures for improving efficiency.
• Serves as delegated authority to sign grant proposals and contracts for incoming research training and service funding to the university.
• Develops and directs training of staff on university and sponsor policies and procedures.
• Coordinates efforts among Legal Counsel Grants and Contracts Accounting Office of Compliance IRB IBC and IACUC offices and Office of Technology Development related to the administration of grants and contracts.
• Facilitates communications with investigators and sponsors for the resolution of issues related to grant and contract administration and negotiation.
• Develops and implements procedures for grant/contract review and processing in accordance with state law and sponsor and university regulations.
• Establishes guidelines for proposal development of sponsored program projects including approval of re-budget requests extensions carry forward requests and amendments to ensure institutional compliance with agency and university policies.
• Plans forecasts and sets departmental objectives for the management of grants and both non-research and research-related contracts.
• Implements educational programs for faculty and staff regarding proposal development electronic submissions project and contract compliance.
• Directs development of materials and training of staff.
• Coordinates efforts related to the administration of grants and contracts with Legal Counsel Financial Services Office of Compliance IRB IBC and IACUC offices and the Intellectual Property Management Office.
• Facilitates communication with investigators and sponsors for the resolution of issues related to grant and contract administration and negotiation.
• Oversees maintenance of databases.
• Prepares proposal and award reports; and other reports as requested by supervisor faculty staff and administration.
• Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position.

Required Education: Bachelors degree AND:

• 72 months of experience 24 months of which includes supervisory/managerial responsibilities in any combination of the following areas: procurement (federal state or industrial) proposal submissions contract negotiations grant and contract administration; accounting and/or financial analysis financial administration in sponsored program administration.
• 36 months of the experience must be directly related to sponsored program administration

Skills:

• Possesses advanced organizational and management skills that encompass strong leadership superior communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership and managerial competencies
• Ability to balance unpredictable work flows
• Flexible
• Strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical competencies
• Ability to make independent decisions and recommend unique solutions
• Knowledge of state federal and institutional regulations related to research administration as well as the ability to review analyze and interpret such regulations including OMB Circulars A-21 A- 133 and A-110
• Demonstrated experience in applying these principles in an academic environment

Certifications: None

Advertised Physical Requirements:

• Physical:
  • Able to engage in repetitive motions and communicate effectively
• Environmental:
  • Standard office environment

Departmental Preferences:

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or similar credential.
• Experience in an academic medical center or R1 research university.
• Experience with electronic research administration systems.
• Experience managing large collaborative or multi-institutional proposals.

Supervision: 12 Lead Contract/Grant Admin - ORA Sr. Contract/Grant Admin - ORA Contract/Grant Admin - ORA

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