Senior Director Research Administration

Job description

Job code: 009031
Pay grade: I
Pay type: Exempt/salaried

General summary

Directs the financial and operational activities of the grants and contracts department. Develops policies and procedures and responsible for oversight of University grant funds.

Major duties

  • Directs the operational activities of the department. Engages in short and long term strategic planning for the unit. Develops and implements operational policies and procedures. Provides direction on policies and procedures. Resolves operational and personnel issues. Sets unit goals and priorities.
  • Provides oversight to University-wide pre- and post-award contract negotiations and interpretations of federal and state guidelines. Develops, manages, and evaluates University pre and post-award programs and policies to ensure compliance with agency requirements, state and federal regulations and University policies and goals.
  • Oversees required annual audit activities for grant funds and other federal and state agency audits for the University. Assists external auditors in annual audits of the University.
  • Provides oversite for the preparation of the University’s cost rate proposal for submission to federal agencies in accordance with relevant guidelines.
  • Acts as an advisor for department leadership in meetings.
  • Oversees the electronic research administration systems and the upgrade of financial systems pertaining to post award.
  • May consult with sponsors, sub-awardees, principal investigators and internal constituents as needed.
  • May consult with contract administrators on contracts associated with external funding awards through stages of initial development to approval by all parties.
  • May participate in accounting, fiscal management, business, technology and research meetings and trainings to meet annual professional development objectives.
  • Hires, trains, evaluates and supervises staff.

Minimum qualifications

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications will be grandfathered until they move to a different job.

Required education

  • Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

Required experience

  • Eight years' relevant experience.
  • Supervisory experience.
  • Knowledge of University departmental policies and procedures.
  • Professional level experience with pre and post award research administration.
  • Experience with office software, including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.

Desired qualifications

Desired education

  • Master's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

Desired experience

  • Ten years’ relevant experience.

Physical requirements

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Working conditions

Work is generally performed in a well lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors and/or any number of elements.

Revised: 2023-10-30

This description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees in the above job. It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.