Assistant Director, Research Administration

Department: URC Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary:

Provides strategic leadership and advanced problem solving in support of unit's research programs and mission. Acts as the chief research administrator for a dept. or division & oversees the administration of the entire grants & contracts portfolio, some of which are very complex involving multiple years, venues, collaborators, subcontractors, etc. & ensures fulfillment of all requirements & compliance with rules & regulations. Partners with faculty to develop strategic plans regarding new & existing funding opportunities, research initiatives, collaborations & projects that will increase & improve overall research & associated financial management & performance.

Please note: Supervisor provides overall objectives & in consultation with EE develops deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objectives & overall compliance with policy & procedures. EE completes majority of activities without direction; consulting with supervisor only in regard to new or unusual circumstances.

EE uses judgment & an extensive amount of experience to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies & procedures & a moderate degree of innovation, analysis, & reasoning to plan & prioritize work that is primarily project oriented & involves some extremely difficult problems &/or decisions. EE interprets and may contribute to changing and/or developing policy.

• As time and budget allows:
• New-"Brown Bag"-Interested in becoming an RA?
• Need more "How To:" sessions such as:
  • Fill out internal & external paperwork
  • Create & review budget
  • Review sponsor guidelines
  • Read a solicitation
• Five University Business Processes classes (HR700, HR705, HR715, HR725, HR740)New-"Brown Bag"-Interested in becoming an RA?
• NU-ORI-Res Dam Training session
• SCS course: Grantsmanship for the Research Professional
• NCURA-National Council of University Research Administrators/SRA - Society of Research Administrators International (regional or national meetings)
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
• ASRSP effort reporting 101
• NU Financials budget reconciliation and reporting
• Audit & Advisory best practices

Specific Responsibilities:

Complexity

• Typically administers or oversees entire research projects such as:
  • Research portfolio for a larger department
  • Government contracts
  • Center or program grants
  • International projects
  • Master agreements with industry

Pre-Award

• Provides creative, strategic leadership in pre-award administration of research grants &/or contracts, expertly balancing customer service and compliance needs.
• Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to pre-award administration.
• Coordinates federal contract proposals, international proposals, and proposals with difficult/troublesome terms and large sponsored agreements with industry partners.
• Uses metrics to monitor report and adjust unit pre-award performance.

Post-Award

• Provides expertise regarding post-award research administration.
• Ensures that proposed projects meet goals of dept. & that necessary resources are available.
• Manages and follows through on high-risk situations.
• Coordinates or oversees application completion and detailed review & submission.
• Interprets sponsor guidelines.
• Creates procedures regarding day-to-day administrative & financial functions.
• Resolves issues with collaborators &/or other involved parties.
• Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to post-award administration.
• Manages all day-to-day grant &/or contract functions such as administration, finance, facilities, compliance, reporting, etc. ensuring timetables are created & maintained as appropriate.
• Uses metrics to monitor report and adjust unit post-award performance.
• Recommends & facilitates procedural changes in grant &/or contract administration as necessary.
• Recommends policy to enhance research administration.

Financial

• Oversees & manages all research portfolio fiscal activities, from research development to close-out activities, continually evaluating & recommending alternatives to minimize risk while maximizing goals.
• Ensures that budgets are created, proposed & administered in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Resolves complex issues such as determining appropriate & reasonable cost-sharing percentages on complex grants involving multiple locations; effort reporting problems; under- or over-spent grant budgets; recommend changes to eliminate deficit balances; overdrafts.
• Coordinates price negotiation, purchase, & ongoing maintenance support contracts of all major research equipment.
• Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.

Human Resources

• Hires, evaluates, promotes, &/or counsel staff.
• Oversees training for all staff regarding research administration in unit.
• Consults with faculty as grants are funded regarding job descriptions; selecting & hiring new staff; and as grants end regarding lay-offs, terminations, etc.

Compliance

• Creates, implements & oversees programs, policy & practice for dept./division designed to ensure compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
• Ensures resolution of all compliance problems & issues, including those involving research safety, animal subjects, human subjects and conflict of interest.

Supervision

• Supervises administrative, financial &/or IT positions.
• Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 7 years' experience required with 4 years of research administration and 3 years of research, finance, administrative or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization, time management, detail oriented
• Multi-tasking, communication
• Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress
• Managing people
• Provide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizing

Target hiring range for this position will be between $98,000-$120,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

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